Gogebic County Probate Records
Gogebic County probate court records are managed at the courthouse in Bessemer, Michigan. This Upper Peninsula county is part of the 32nd Circuit Court system, and the probate court handles all estate, guardianship, and conservatorship cases for the area. If you need to search for a probate filing, find a will, or get copies of court documents, you have options both online and at the courthouse. Gogebic County is a small, rural county, so the caseload is light. But the same Michigan probate laws apply here as they do in larger counties. This page explains how to access Gogebic County probate court records.
Gogebic County Overview
Gogebic County Probate Court Details
The Gogebic County Probate Court sits at 200 N. Moore St. in Bessemer. It is part of the 32nd Circuit Court. The court handles estates of people who died, trusts, guardianships for minors and adults, conservatorships, and mental health proceedings. All of these fall under the court's jurisdiction as set out in MCL 700.1302. The courthouse is the only place to access physical records in Gogebic County. Staff there can help you find what you need during regular business hours.
Online resources for Gogebic County are limited. The county does not run its own case search portal. Your best bet for online searching is the statewide MiCOURT tool. For anything else, you will need to call or visit the courthouse in Bessemer. The court staff is used to handling requests from people who live far from the county seat, which is common in the Upper Peninsula.
All filings use SCAO-approved forms. The court follows MCL 600.855 and the Estates and Protected Individuals Code.
Searching Gogebic County Probate Court Records
The MiCOURT Case Search portal is the main online tool for finding Gogebic County probate court records. Select Gogebic County from the dropdown list, choose Probate as the court type, and enter a name or case number. Results show the case type, filing date, status, and docket entries. The tool is free to use. It does not show full documents, but it gives you enough info to know if a case exists and what has been filed.
If MiCOURT does not have what you need, call the court at (906) 667-0381. The clerk can search by name and tell you what records are on file. In-person visits work best if you need to review a full case file. Bring the case number or the name of the person whose records you want. The staff can pull the file for you to look through at the courthouse. Mail requests are accepted too. Include the person's name, case details, and a check or money order for the copy fees.
The Gogebic County website has contact information for county offices including the probate court in Bessemer.
Check the county site for current hours, phone numbers, and office locations for Gogebic County courts.
Gogebic County Estate Filings and Fees
Estate cases in Gogebic County follow the same rules as the rest of Michigan. The Estates and Protected Individuals Code, MCL 700.1101, governs all probate proceedings. Informal probate is the simpler path and uses Form PC 558. Formal probate involves court hearings and uses Form PC 559. Small estates valued at $15,000 or less can use an affidavit under MCL 700.3982 and skip probate court entirely.
Filing fees in Gogebic County range from about $150 to $210 based on the petition type. The inventory fee follows the schedule in MCL 600.871. Copies of probate court records cost $1 to $2 per page for plain copies. Certified copies run about $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. These are standard rates across Michigan and may vary slightly. Always check with the court before sending payment.
Guardianship Cases in Gogebic County
Gogebic County probate court records include guardianship and conservatorship cases. These are filed when a person cannot manage their own care or finances. The court appoints a guardian or conservator to step in. The case file includes the petition, physician statements, bond info, and all court orders. Guardianship filings use Form PC 625 for adults. Conservatorship filings use Form PC 630. Both forms are free to download from the SCAO probate forms page.
These records are public in most cases. You can ask to see them at the courthouse or request copies by mail. If a case involves a minor or has been sealed by a judge, access may be limited. The clerk can tell you what is available when you ask.
Note: Gogebic County is in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, so plan travel time if visiting the courthouse in Bessemer for probate court records.
Legal Help and Resources
Michigan Legal Help is a free online resource with self-help tools for probate matters. It covers estates, guardianships, and more. The State Bar of Michigan has a lawyer referral service. Legal aid organizations in the Upper Peninsula may help low-income residents with probate issues at no charge. The Michigan Courts website links to court rules, forms, and fee schedules for all 83 counties.
For genealogy or historical records from Gogebic County, contact the Archives of Michigan in Lansing. FamilySearch also has digitized Michigan probate records that may include Gogebic County files from earlier decades.
Nearby Counties
If you need probate court records from counties near Gogebic, these courts may also have what you need: