Search Genesee County Probate Court Records
Genesee County probate court records are kept at the county courthouse in Flint, Michigan. The Genesee County Probate Court manages all estate, guardianship, conservatorship, and mental health cases for one of the state's most populated counties. Whether you need to look up a will, check on an estate case, or find records for a guardianship filing, there are ways to search both online and in person. The court sits on the fifth floor of the courthouse and has a dedicated records office. This page covers how to find, search, and get copies of Genesee County probate court records.
Genesee County Overview
Genesee County Probate Court Details
The Genesee County Probate Court is at 900 S. Saginaw St., Room 502, in Flint. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It has jurisdiction over all probate matters in Genesee County under MCL 700.1302. That includes estates of people who died, trusts, guardianships for adults and children, conservatorships, and mental health proceedings. The Records Office sits on the 5th floor as well, and staff there can help you find what you need. Genesee County is a busy court with a large caseload. You should expect wait times during peak hours.
The court handles both formal and informal probate cases under the Estates and Protected Individuals Code, MCL 700.1101. Formal probate involves more court oversight. Informal probate is faster and works for simple estates. All filings must use forms approved by the State Court Administrative Office, as required by MCL 600.855. You can get those forms at the SCAO probate forms page or from the clerk at the courthouse.
The mental health division at Genesee County Probate Court runs as a separate unit. Those records have strict access rules.
How to Search Genesee County Probate Records Online
Genesee County probate court records can be searched online through the MiCOURT Case Search portal. This is the state's free tool for looking up cases. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The results show filing dates, case types, party names, docket entries, and hearing dates. It works well for finding basic case info on Genesee County probate matters. Not every older case shows up, but recent filings should be there.
Genesee County also has circuit court records available through a separate system at co.genesee.mi.us. This covers circuit court cases, which may overlap with some probate matters. If the probate court transferred a case or if there is a related civil action, you might find useful records in this database too. The two systems are not linked, so you may need to search both.
For records that are not online, call the court at (810) 257-3528. The staff can check if a case exists and tell you how to get copies.
The Genesee County government website provides information about the probate court and other county offices in Flint.
Visit the county site to find contact details, office hours, and links to court resources for Genesee County probate court records.
Getting Copies of Genesee County Probate Court Records
You can get copies of Genesee County probate court records in person, by mail, or by phone request. Standard copies cost $1.50 per page. If you need a certified copy, there is an extra $10 fee per document on top of the page cost. Certified copies carry the court seal and are needed for legal proceedings or transfers of property. Plain copies work fine for personal use or research. The Records Office handles all copy requests and can be reached at (810) 257-3225.
To request records by mail, send a letter to the Genesee County Probate Court at 900 S. Saginaw St., Room 502, Flint, MI 48502. Include the full name of the person, the case number if you have it, and a note about what documents you need. Add a check or money order for the estimated fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return. Mail requests usually take 5 to 10 business days. For faster results, go in person during court hours.
Genesee County Estate and Probate Filings
Estate cases make up a big part of Genesee County probate court records. When a Genesee County resident dies, their estate may need to go through probate. Michigan has three paths. Informal probate uses Form PC 558 and is best for simple estates. Formal probate uses Form PC 559 and involves more court hearings. Small estates under $15,000 can use an affidavit under MCL 700.3982 and skip the process altogether. Filing fees in Genesee County range from about $150 to $210 based on the type.
The inventory fee is set by state law under MCL 600.871. It is based on estate value. Estates under $1,000 pay $5 plus 1% of the amount over $500. Larger estates pay more. An estate worth $50,000 to $100,000 pays $237.50 plus 1/4 of 1% over $50,000. These fees are separate from the filing cost and go to the court.
Historical probate records from Genesee County going back to 1857 through 1883 are held at the Archives of Michigan in Lansing. If you need older records, that is the place to look.
The MiCOURT portal for Genesee County lets you search probate court records by name or case number for free.
Results include case status, docket entries, and hearing dates for Genesee County probate filings.
Guardianship Records in Genesee County
Guardianship and conservatorship cases are a major part of the Genesee County probate court caseload. The court appoints guardians for minors whose parents cannot care for them and for adults who lack the ability to manage their own affairs. A conservatorship is similar but focuses on finances and property. Both types of cases produce detailed court records. The files hold petitions, medical reports, bond documents, annual reports, and court orders. These records are public unless a judge seals them.
To search for a guardianship case in Genesee County, ask the clerk for help or use MiCOURT. You can search by the name of the ward or the guardian. If you need forms to file a new case, Form PC 625 starts an adult guardianship and Form PC 630 starts a conservatorship. Both are available at the SCAO website or from the court clerk in Flint.
Note: Genesee County probate court records from 1857 to 1883 are stored at the Archives of Michigan, not at the Flint courthouse.
Legal Resources for Genesee County
Several organizations offer help with probate matters in the Genesee County area. Michigan Legal Help has free guides for people handling estates or guardianships without a lawyer. The State Bar of Michigan runs a referral service to connect you with local probate attorneys. Legal Services of Eastern Michigan serves the Flint area and may help low-income residents with probate issues at no cost.
The Michigan Courts website has links to rules, forms, and contact info for all 83 county probate courts. You can also file documents through the MiFILE system if the Genesee County court accepts electronic filings for your case type. For genealogy research, FamilySearch has digitized Michigan probate records from many counties going back to the 1800s.
Nearby Counties and Cities
If you need probate court records from areas near Genesee County, these courts handle cases for surrounding areas:
Residents of Flint file probate cases at the Genesee County Probate Court in Flint.