Search Kent County Probate Court Records
Kent County probate court records are managed at the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Kent County Probate Court is one of the busiest probate courts in the state, serving the second most populated county in Michigan. The court handles estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, trust cases, and mental health proceedings. Kent County has a full online case search tool, which makes it one of the easiest counties to research from home. Records go back to 1898. This page covers how to find, search, and get copies of Kent County probate court records.
Kent County Overview
Kent County Probate Court Details
The Kent County Probate Court is at 180 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 2500, in Grand Rapids. Chief Judge David M. Murkowski presides over the court. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The court has exclusive jurisdiction over probate matters under MCL 700.1302. That includes estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health cases. Kent County is the second largest county in Michigan by population. The probate court handles thousands of cases each year.
The court supports electronic filing through the MiFILE system. This lets attorneys and some parties file documents online without visiting the courthouse. All filings must use SCAO-approved forms as required by MCL 600.855. You can get them at the SCAO probate forms page.
The Estates and Protected Individuals Code (MCL 700.1101) governs every probate case filed in Kent County.
How to Search Kent County Probate Records Online
Kent County has its own online case search tool at accesskent.com. You can search by full name, business name, or case number. Select "Probate Court" from the court type dropdown. The results show case details, party names, docket entries, and hearing dates. This tool is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is free. For anyone searching Kent County probate court records, this should be your first stop.
The statewide MiCOURT Case Search also covers Kent County. It may show results that the local tool does not, and vice versa. Using both gives you the best chance of finding what you need. Neither tool costs anything to use. The Kent County Probate Court website has additional information about the court, including filing instructions, fee schedules, and links to forms.
The Kent County online case search lets you look up probate court records by name or case number for free.
Search results show case details, docket entries, and scheduled hearings for Kent County probate filings.
Getting Copies of Kent County Probate Court Records
Copies of Kent County probate court records cost $2 per page for standard copies. Certified copies are $12 per page. Exemplified copies cost an additional $10 plus $2. These fees are slightly higher than some other Michigan counties, reflecting Kent County's size and resources. You can request copies in person at Suite 2500 of the courthouse. Phone requests go to (616) 632-5440. Mail requests should include the case details and a check for the estimated fees.
The Kent County Probate Court is busy. If you visit in person, bring the case number to speed things up. The online search tool can help you find the case number before you go. Certified copies carry the court seal and are needed for legal matters. Plain copies work for personal use or research.
Kent County Estate and Probate Filings
Estate cases are the core of Kent County probate court records. With a population of nearly 660,000, Kent County processes a high volume of estate filings each year. Michigan offers informal probate (Form PC 558), formal probate (Form PC 559), and a small estate affidavit for estates under $15,000 per MCL 700.3982. Filing fees range from about $150 to $210.
The inventory fee is set by MCL 600.871 and depends on estate value. For an estate worth $100,000 to $500,000, the fee is $362.50 plus 1/8 of 1% of the amount over $100,000. Kent County probate records from 1898 forward are at the courthouse. The personal representative must notify creditors, inventory assets, and file accounts with the court under EPIC.
The Kent County Probate Court page on the AccessKent website provides information about court procedures, forms, and judges.
Visit the page for filing instructions, fee schedules, and links to the online case search.
Guardianship and Conservatorship in Kent County
The Kent County Probate Court handles a large number of guardianship and conservatorship cases. Given the county's population, these filings come in regularly. The court appoints guardians for minors and adults who cannot care for themselves and conservators for those who cannot manage their finances. Case files include petitions, medical reports, bonds, annual reports, and court orders. Form PC 625 starts an adult guardianship. Form PC 630 starts a conservatorship.
These records are generally public. You can look them up on the AccessKent case search tool or visit the courthouse in Grand Rapids. The clerk can also search by the name of the ward or guardian over the phone.
Note: Kent County supports electronic filing through MiFILE, which speeds up the process for guardianship and estate filings.
The Kent County Courts page has links to all courts in the county, including the Probate Court and related district courts.
Use this page to navigate between the Probate Court, 17th Circuit Court, and district courts in Kent County.
Legal Resources for Kent County
Michigan Legal Help has free online tools for probate. The State Bar of Michigan offers a referral service. Legal Aid of West Michigan serves the Grand Rapids area and may help qualifying residents with probate matters. The Michigan Courts website has all SCAO forms and court rules.
For genealogy, FamilySearch has digitized Michigan probate records from many counties. Kent County records start in 1898. Older records may be at the Archives of Michigan in Lansing.
Nearby Counties and Cities
These counties border Kent and have their own probate courts:
- Ottawa County
- Muskegon County
- Newaygo County
- Montcalm County
- Ionia County
- Barry County
- Allegan County
Residents of Grand Rapids and Wyoming file probate cases at the Kent County Probate Court in Grand Rapids.