Search Livingston County Probate Records
Livingston County probate court records date back to 1836 and are held at the courthouse in Howell, Michigan. The court offers more online tools than most Michigan counties, including the LivingstonLive search portal for looking up cases remotely. Whether you need to check on an estate filing, research a guardianship case, or get copies of probate documents, Livingston County provides several ways to access records. Chief Judge Miriam A. Cavanaugh oversees the court, which sits within the 44th Circuit system. This page covers all the ways to find and request probate court records in Livingston County.
Livingston County Overview
Livingston County Probate Court Office
The Livingston County Probate Court is at 204 S. Highlander Way in Howell. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. You can reach the court by phone at (517) 546-3750 or by email at probatecourt@livgov.com. The court has a dedicated probate court website with information about filings, forms, and local procedures.
Under MCL 700.1302, the probate court has exclusive jurisdiction over estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health cases. Livingston County has held probate records since 1836, making it one of the longest-running collections in the state. The court processes a significant volume of cases given the county's population of nearly 194,000 residents.
Online Search with LivingstonLive
Livingston County offers the LivingstonLive online search system. This tool lets you look up court records from your computer. It costs $6 per name or court searched and $2.50 per case history or summary you view. Payment is by credit card. Monthly accounts are available for people who use the system often, like attorneys or title companies.
LivingstonLive covers most probate cases, but not everything. Certain records are excluded from online access for privacy reasons. Mental illness records, parental waivers, juvenile and child protective proceedings, juvenile guardianship cases, adoption records, name changes, and personal protection orders are not available through the online system. If you need any of those, you must contact the court directly or visit in person.
The system searches by date and courtroom. It is a useful tool for quick lookups, though the fees can add up if you are doing a broad search across many names.
Other Ways to Search Livingston County Records
Besides LivingstonLive, you can search Livingston County probate records in person. The Circuit Court Clerk's Office has self-service court indexes that you can use at no charge. This is a good option if you are already near the courthouse in Howell and want to avoid the online fees. Staff can help you navigate the index system and locate specific case files.
The MiCOURT Case Search is a statewide portal that also covers Livingston County cases. It is free for basic case data. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. This is a decent starting point if you are not sure whether a case exists. Mail requests are another option. Send your request along with the case number, party names, and filing date to the 44th Circuit Court Clerk at 204 S. Highlander Way, Suite 4, Howell, MI 48843. Include an in-state check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Livingston County accepts electronic filings through the MiFILE e-filing system for certain case types.
Check with the Livingston County Probate Court to confirm which filings can be submitted through MiFILE.
Copy Fees and Costs in Livingston County
Copy fees at the Livingston County Probate Court are straightforward. Plain copies cost $1.50 per page. Certified copies are $10 per document. If you request a search that takes the clerk more than 10 minutes, there may be an additional $10 search fee. These fees apply whether you request copies in person, by mail, or through the online system.
The $25 electronic filing fee that applies statewide also applies to Livingston County filings submitted through MiFILE. This is on top of the regular filing fees for the case type. Informal probate filings typically cost $150 to $190, while formal probate runs $170 to $210 or more. Inventory fees follow the schedule in MCL 600.871 and are based on estate value.
Note: Always verify current fees with the court before sending payment.
Estate Cases in Livingston County
When a Livingston County resident dies, their estate may need to go through probate. Michigan has formal, informal, and small estate options. For small estates under $15,000, heirs can use an affidavit under MCL 700.3982 to claim assets without a full court proceeding. This is the fastest and cheapest route. All filings must use SCAO-approved forms from the state forms page.
The personal representative in an estate case has duties under MCL 700.1101. These include sending notice to creditors, inventorying assets, and filing periodic accounts with the court. All of these steps create records that become part of the Livingston County probate court file.
Guardianship Cases in Livingston County
Guardianship and conservatorship cases are a major part of the Livingston County probate court docket. These filings protect people who cannot manage their own care or finances. A guardian handles personal decisions. A conservator manages money and property. Both require court approval and ongoing oversight through regular reports.
You can search existing guardianship cases by name. Filing costs range from $105 to $495. The Michigan Legal Help website has free guides on these processes. The State Bar of Michigan can refer you to a local attorney for help with more complex cases.
Nearby Counties
These courts handle probate records near Livingston County: