Leelanau County Probate Records
Leelanau County probate court records are kept at the courthouse in Suttons Bay, Michigan. This scenic county in the northwest Lower Peninsula manages all probate filings through its local court office as part of the 13th Circuit. If you want to search for an estate case, look into a guardianship, or get copies of probate documents, there are options for doing so in person and online. Leelanau County also maintains a cemetery database that can be helpful for genealogy work tied to probate research. This page walks through how to find and request probate court records here.
Leelanau County Overview
Leelanau County Probate Court Information
The Leelanau County Probate Court is located at 105 S. Lincoln St. in Suttons Bay. The court handles all probate-related matters for the county. That means estate administration, trust disputes, guardianships for both adults and minors, conservatorships, and mental health cases all go through this office. Under MCL 700.1302, the probate court has exclusive jurisdiction over these types of filings. Staff can tell you if a case exists and help you figure out the cost for getting copies.
Leelanau is a smaller county, and the court reflects that. You are less likely to face long waits here compared to a busy urban court. The staff can often pull records while you wait if the case is not too old. All filings must use forms approved by the State Court Administrative Office, as set out in MCL 600.855.
Call (231) 256-9824 with basic questions about Leelanau County probate records.
How to Search Leelanau County Probate Records
The most common way to search for probate court records in Leelanau County is to visit the courthouse in person. The clerk can look up cases by name or case number. You can view most probate files at the counter. For records that are very old or stored in a different format, you may need to wait a bit longer. The staff is generally helpful and can guide you through what is available.
You can also try the MiCOURT Case Search tool. This is a statewide portal that lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney. Not all Leelanau County cases may be in the system, but it is a good place to start before making a trip to Suttons Bay. If the online search comes up empty, that does not mean the record does not exist. It just may not be digitized yet.
Mail requests work for people who cannot visit in person. Send your request to 105 S. Lincoln St., Suttons Bay, MI 49682 with the name of the person, case number if you have it, payment for copies, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Leelanau County Cemetery Database
Leelanau County maintains a cemetery database that can be a useful companion to probate records. If you are researching a deceased person's estate, the cemetery records may help confirm dates and family connections. This database is available through the county and can be especially valuable for genealogy work or for settling questions that come up during probate proceedings.
The cemetery data is separate from the probate court system. Contact the county clerk's office for details on how to access it. Pairing cemetery records with probate filings can give you a fuller picture of a person's estate and family history in Leelanau County.
The SCAO probate forms page has all the standardized forms used in Leelanau County probate court filings.
Download the correct forms before filing at the Leelanau County Probate Court in Suttons Bay.
Estate Filings in Leelanau County
Estates in Leelanau County go through probate when there are assets to distribute after someone dies. Michigan offers formal probate, informal probate, and a small estate process. Informal probate is the most common path for straightforward cases. It costs about $150 to $190 to file. Formal probate, which involves more court oversight, typically runs $170 to $210 or higher. Small estates under $15,000 can use an affidavit under MCL 700.3982 to skip the formal process entirely.
Inventory fees follow the schedule in MCL 600.871. These fees depend on the total value of the estate and are paid to the court separately from filing fees. All forms used in Leelanau County must come from the SCAO probate forms page. The clerk can point you to the right one.
Guardianship and Conservatorship in Leelanau County
The Leelanau County Probate Court handles all guardianship and conservatorship cases for the county. Guardianships involve personal care decisions. Conservatorships involve managing finances. Both require a court petition, a hearing, and ongoing reports to the court. Filing costs range from about $105 to $495 depending on the case type.
You can search for existing guardianship cases by the name of the ward or the guardian. These records are public unless sealed by order of the judge. The Michigan Legal Help website has free guides on how to file for guardianship or respond to a petition. The State Bar of Michigan can help you find a local probate attorney if you need one.
Filing Probate Documents in Leelanau County
All filings at the Leelanau County Probate Court must use SCAO-approved forms. Common ones include PC 558 for informal probate, PC 559 for formal probate, and PC 560 for letters of authority. The personal representative named in a filing has duties under the Estates and Protected Individuals Code, MCL 700.1101. Those duties include notifying creditors, doing an inventory, and filing accounts with the court.
The Michigan Courts website has general information about probate rules and procedures. Electronic filing may be available through the MiFILE system for certain case types. Check with the Leelanau County court to confirm which filings can go through the e-filing portal.
Note: Confirm all fees with the Leelanau County clerk before submitting payment by mail.
Nearby Counties
Probate courts in these nearby counties may also be useful: