Access Clinton County Probate Records
Clinton County probate court records are filed and maintained at the courthouse in St. Johns, Michigan. The court is part of the 29th Circuit and handles estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust cases. You can search for Clinton County probate court records through the state's online case search system or visit the court in person. Electronic filing is available for many case types. The clerk's office provides help with record lookups, copies, and filing questions during regular business hours.
Clinton County Probate Court Overview
Clinton County Probate Court Office
The Clinton County Probate Court is at 100 E. State St. in St. Johns, MI 48879. Call (989) 224-5150 for questions about records or procedures. The office is open Monday through Friday during normal hours, typically from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Walk-ins can view files at the counter.
Clinton County sits just north of Lansing and is part of the greater mid-Michigan area. The 29th Circuit Court includes both the circuit and probate divisions. The Clinton County website has information about court services, departments, and contact details. Online case search is available through MiCOURT. Select Clinton County, pick probate as the court type, and enter a name or case number to search. Results show filing dates, case status, party names, and docket entries. The search costs nothing to use.
Electronic filing through MiFILE is available in Clinton County. Attorneys and some parties can file probate petitions, accountings, inventories, and other documents online. This creates a digital record right away and speeds up processing. Not every case type may be eligible, so check with the court about your specific situation.
Clinton County Probate Records Online
The Clinton County government website links to court services and department information. Below is a view of the county's online resources.
Clinton County offers more online access than many smaller Michigan counties. Between the county website, MiCOURT, and MiFILE, you have several ways to find and file probate court records from home. For certified copies or documents not available online, contact the clerk's office. They take requests in person, by phone, and by mail.
Clinton County Probate Case Types
Estate filings are the most common cases at the Clinton County Probate Court. When a Clinton County resident dies, someone files a petition to open the estate. The court appoints a personal representative to manage the process. The file will contain the original will, the petition for probate, letters of authority, inventories of assets, accountings, and the closing order. Michigan's EPIC law at MCL 700.1101 governs all estate proceedings.
Guardianship and conservatorship cases also go through the Clinton County Probate Court. A guardianship petition asks the court to name someone to care for a minor or incapacitated adult. The case file holds the petition, medical reports, bond information, and annual updates on the ward. Conservatorship cases focus on managing the person's finances and property. MCL 700.1302 gives the probate court exclusive authority over these matters in Clinton County.
Estates worth $15,000 or less can skip formal probate through a simplified process under MCL 700.3982. The heir files an affidavit and collects the assets without opening a full case. Trust disputes and mental health proceedings also fall under the probate court, though mental health files have strict privacy protections.
Clinton County Probate Filing Fees
Filing a new probate case in Clinton County costs between $150 and $210. The amount varies by petition type. Estate filings tend to run higher than guardianship petitions. The inventory fee set by MCL 600.871 depends on the total estate value and is charged separately from the filing fee.
Copy fees at the Clinton County Probate Court follow state standards. Plain copies are $1 per page. Certified copies cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each extra page. All filings must use SCAO-approved forms as required by MCL 600.855. These forms are free from the SCAO probate forms page.
Note: Clinton County residents near Lansing should check which county their address falls in before filing a probate case.
Legal Resources for Clinton County
Michigan Legal Help has free guides and form instructions for probate cases. The site covers estate opening, guardianship filings, and more. If you need a lawyer, the State Bar of Michigan has a referral service for the mid-Michigan region.
Legal aid organizations serving the Lansing area may also cover Clinton County. These groups provide free legal help to people who qualify by income. The Michigan Courts website has information on probate court rules and procedures that apply to all Michigan counties.
Are Clinton County Probate Records Public
Most probate court records in Clinton County are open to the public. MCR 8.119 sets the rules for access. You can go to the courthouse and ask to see any case file. No special reason is needed. You do not have to be part of the case.
Some records are restricted. Adoption files are confidential. Mental health cases have tight access rules. Juvenile guardianship files may be partially sealed. But estate records, adult guardianship cases, conservatorship files, and trust matters are almost always open for public viewing at the Clinton County Probate Court. If a case appears on MiCOURT, you can generally get copies from the clerk's office. The court serves residents of St. Johns and all other communities in Clinton County.
Nearby County Probate Courts
Clinton County borders several other Michigan counties. Each has its own probate court and records system.