Kalamazoo County Probate Court Records
Kalamazoo County probate court records are managed at the Gull Road Justice Complex in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Kalamazoo County Probate Court handles all estate cases, guardianships, conservatorships, trust matters, and mental health proceedings for this southwest Michigan county. Records go back to 1833. The court has an online case search tool and accepts requests by email, phone, mail, and in person. If you need to find a will, check on an estate, or get copies of filed documents, this page covers every way to access Kalamazoo County probate court records.
Kalamazoo County Overview
Kalamazoo County Probate Court Details
The Kalamazoo County Probate Court is at 1536 Gull Rd. in Kalamazoo, inside the Gull Road Justice Complex. The court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It has exclusive jurisdiction over probate matters under MCL 700.1302. The court handles estates of people who died, trust disputes, guardianships for both adults and minors (including developmentally disabled individuals), conservatorships, mental health commitments, safe deposit box examinations, and even secret marriages. The fax number is (269) 383-8685.
Kalamazoo County is one of the more populated counties in western Michigan. The probate court has a heavy caseload. Some Family Division proceedings are also handled at the Probate Court. The court has been keeping records since 1833, which is among the earliest in the state. Staff are accustomed to handling both simple requests and complex searches across old files.
All filings require SCAO-approved forms per MCL 600.855. The Estates and Protected Individuals Code, MCL 700.1101, governs all probate cases.
How to Search Kalamazoo Probate Court Records Online
Kalamazoo County has its own case search tool at kalcounty.com. You can search by case number or party name. Results show case status, scheduled hearings, and basic case info. This is the fastest way to check if a specific case exists in the Kalamazoo County probate system. The Kalamazoo County Probate Court website also has information about the court's procedures, forms, and contact details.
You can also use the statewide MiCOURT Case Search tool. Select Kalamazoo County, choose Probate, and enter your search terms. MiCOURT may show different results than the local portal, so it is worth checking both. Either tool is free to use.
The Kalamazoo County Probate Court website has information about the court, filings, and case search tools.
Visit the site for court hours, forms, and contact information for probate record requests.
Getting Copies of Kalamazoo County Probate Records
Copies of Kalamazoo County probate court records cost $1 per page for standard copies. Certified copies are $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. You can request copies in person at the Gull Road Justice Complex during court hours. Bring the case number if you have it. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted. Some courts now take cards, but confirm ahead of time.
Email requests go to KalamazooProbate@Kalcounty.com. This is a good option if you want a quick answer about whether a case exists or how much copies will cost. Mail requests are accepted at 1536 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49048. Include the person's name, case number if known, and payment. Phone calls to (269) 383-8666 work for quick questions. The court staff is helpful and can walk you through the process.
Kalamazoo County Estate and Probate Filings
Estate filings are the largest category in Kalamazoo County probate court records. Michigan law provides three ways to handle an estate. Informal probate uses Form PC 558 and needs no hearing. Formal probate uses Form PC 559 and involves a judge. Small estates under $15,000 can use an affidavit under MCL 700.3982 to skip probate entirely. The right choice depends on the estate's size and whether anyone is contesting the will.
Filing fees in Kalamazoo County range from about $150 to $210. The inventory fee follows the schedule in MCL 600.871. An estate worth $50,000 to $100,000 pays $237.50 plus 1/4 of 1% of the amount over $50,000. The personal representative has duties under EPIC, including notifying creditors using Form PC 574, inventorying assets with Form PC 577, and filing periodic accounts with the court.
Note: Kalamazoo County probate records date to 1833 and are among the oldest in Michigan.
Guardianship and Conservatorship in Kalamazoo County
The Kalamazoo County Probate Court handles all guardianship and conservatorship filings. These cases involve adults and minors who need someone to make decisions for them. The court also handles guardianships for developmentally disabled individuals. Case files include petitions, medical evidence, bond documents, annual reports, and court orders. Form PC 625 starts an adult guardianship. Form PC 630 starts a conservatorship. Both are on the SCAO probate forms page.
The court has guardianship and conservatorship packets available. These packets bundle all the forms you need for a specific type of filing. Ask the clerk or check the court website. Most of these records are public and can be reviewed at the courthouse or obtained by mail.
Legal Resources for Kalamazoo County
Michigan Legal Help offers free guides for probate matters. The State Bar of Michigan can refer you to a local attorney. Legal Aid of West Michigan serves the Kalamazoo area and may help qualifying residents at no cost. The Michigan Courts website has all SCAO forms and court rules. Electronic filing through MiFILE is available for some case types.
Nearby Counties and Cities
These counties border Kalamazoo and have their own probate courts:
Residents of Kalamazoo file probate cases at the Kalamazoo County Probate Court.