Antrim County Probate Court Records
Antrim County probate court records are kept at the courthouse in Bellaire, a small village in northern Michigan's lower peninsula. The Antrim County Probate Court is part of the 13th Circuit Court and processes estate filings, guardianship petitions, conservatorship applications, and trust matters. People searching for these records can visit the court in person, make a request by mail, or try the state's online case search portal. This page explains the options for finding and getting copies of probate court records in Antrim County, along with information about fees, forms, and local resources.
Antrim County Overview
Antrim County Court Information
The Antrim County Probate Court is located at 205 E. Cayuga St., Bellaire, MI 49615. Call (231) 533-6353 for questions about filing or record requests. The court is open weekdays during normal business hours. Under MCL 700.1302, the probate court has exclusive jurisdiction over estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and mental health matters for everyone in Antrim County. The court uses SCAO-approved forms for all filings, which is a statewide rule under MCL 600.855.
Antrim County is a relatively small county, so the court staff often has more time to help walk-in visitors. If you are not sure which records you need or how to fill out a form, the clerk's office can usually point you in the right direction. They cannot give legal advice, but they can explain procedures and help you find the right forms.
Finding Antrim County Probate Records
The most reliable way to search for Antrim County probate court records is at the courthouse. Tell the clerk the name of the person whose case you need. If you have a case number, that speeds things up. You can view most probate files in person. If you want copies, the standard fee is about $1 to $2 per page. Certified copies with the court seal cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
Online, you can try the MiCOURT Case Search tool. It covers probate cases across many Michigan counties. Search by name, case number, or attorney. The search is free. Keep in mind that not every case from Antrim County may be in the system, especially older filings. If your online search comes up empty, do not assume the record does not exist. Call the court to double-check.
Mail requests are accepted too. Send your request to 205 E. Cayuga St., Bellaire, MI 49615. Include the full name of the person, a case number if known, payment for copies, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Probate Filing Process in Antrim County
Opening a probate case in Antrim County starts with filing the right form at the courthouse. For estates, the most common forms are PC 558 (informal probate application) and PC 559 (formal probate petition). All forms are available on the SCAO probate forms page or at the courthouse. The Estates and Protected Individuals Code, MCL 700.1101, lays out every step of the process from filing to closing an estate.
Informal probate works when there are no disputes. The personal representative files the application, the court reviews it, and if everything checks out, the court issues letters of authority (form PC 560). Filing fees for this route are usually $150 to $190. Formal probate is more involved. It requires a hearing before a judge and costs $170 to $210 or more. The judge decides contested matters like the validity of a will or who should serve as personal representative.
Small estates qualify for a shortcut. If the total value is $15,000 or less after funeral costs, MCL 700.3982 lets heirs use an affidavit instead of opening a full probate case.
The Antrim County website has contact information for the probate court and other county offices.
Visit the county website for directions to the courthouse and current office hours.
Guardianship Filings in Antrim County
Guardianship cases are filed at the Antrim County Probate Court when someone needs a legally appointed decision-maker. This might be a child whose parents cannot care for them or an adult who has lost the ability to manage their own affairs. The court takes these cases seriously. A hearing is held, and the judge decides if a guardianship is needed based on the evidence presented.
Filing fees for guardianship petitions range from $105 to $495. The petition form for adults is PC 625. Once a guardian is appointed, they must file annual reports with the court. Those reports become part of the Antrim County probate court records and are available for public review. Conservatorship petitions use form PC 630 and follow a similar process. The conservator handles money and property matters for the protected individual.
Fees and Costs for Antrim County Probate
The inventory fee schedule under MCL 600.871 applies to all estates filed in Antrim County. It is based on the value of the estate. For estates under $1,000, the fee is $5 plus 1% of the value over $500. Estates between $3,000 and $10,000 pay $25 plus 5/8 of 1% of the amount over $3,000. The scale goes up from there. Estates over $500,000 pay $62.50 for each additional $100,000 in value.
Copy fees are separate from filing fees and inventory fees. Budget $1 to $2 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost more but are needed when you have to prove the authenticity of a document to a bank, title company, or another court. If your record search takes the clerk more than 10 minutes, there may be a $10 search fee as well.
Resources for Antrim County Residents
Several free and low-cost resources can help with probate matters. The Michigan Legal Help website walks you through probate step by step. The State Bar of Michigan can refer you to a local lawyer. For general court information, the Michigan Courts website is the place to start. Electronic filing through MiFILE may be available for some Antrim County case types.
Note: Always verify current fees and procedures by calling the Antrim County Probate Court before filing.
Nearby Counties
Antrim County borders several other Michigan counties with their own probate courts: