Luce County Probate Court Records
Luce County probate court records are kept at the courthouse in Newberry, Michigan, in the eastern Upper Peninsula. This sparsely populated county processes all probate filings through its local court as part of the 51st Circuit. Whether you need to track down an estate filing, look into a guardianship case, or request copies of probate documents, there are ways to get what you need here. Online access is limited for Luce County, so most record searches involve calling the court or visiting in person. This page covers how to find and request Luce County probate court records.
Luce County Overview
Luce County Probate Court Details
The Luce County Probate Court is at 407 W. Harrie St. in Newberry. The court has jurisdiction over estates, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health cases for the entire county. Under MCL 700.1302, probate courts in Michigan hold exclusive authority over these case types. Staff can help you check if a record exists and tell you the costs for copies.
Luce County is one of the least populated counties in Michigan. The probate caseload here is light. That can work in your favor since the staff has more time to help with individual requests. All filings must use SCAO-approved forms as required by MCL 600.855. You can get those forms from the SCAO probate forms page.
How to Search Luce County Probate Records
The most reliable way to search for probate records in Luce County is to contact the court directly. You can call (906) 293-5601 or visit the courthouse at 407 W. Harrie St. in Newberry. The clerk can look up cases by name or case number. In-person visits let you view most probate files at the counter. For older records, the clerk may need extra time to locate the file.
The MiCOURT Case Search is a statewide tool you can try from home. It lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney. Coverage for Luce County is limited, so do not assume a record is missing just because it does not show up online. If you cannot find what you need through MiCOURT, the courthouse is your best bet.
Mail requests are accepted. Write to the Luce County Probate Court at 407 W. Harrie St., Newberry, MI 49868. Include the name of the person, case number if known, payment for copies, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Standard copies cost about $1 to $2 per page. Certified copies are $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page.
The Michigan Courts website provides general information about probate court procedures that apply to Luce County.
Use this site for court rules, fee details, and contact information for the Luce County Probate Court and all Michigan courts.
Estate Probate in Luce County
When someone in Luce County passes away, their estate may need to go through probate. Michigan offers three paths. Informal probate works for simple, uncontested estates and costs about $150 to $190 to file. Formal probate involves more court oversight and typically costs $170 to $210. Small estates under $15,000 can use an affidavit process under MCL 700.3982 to skip formal probate entirely.
All estate filings in Luce County must use SCAO forms. The most common ones are PC 558 for informal probate and PC 559 for formal probate. The inventory fee follows MCL 600.871 and is based on the total value of the estate. The personal representative has duties under MCL 700.1101, including notifying creditors and filing an inventory.
Guardianship and Conservatorship Cases
Luce County probate court records include guardianship and conservatorship filings. A guardianship covers personal care decisions. A conservatorship covers financial management. Both require SCAO forms, a court petition, and a hearing. Filing costs range from $105 to $495 depending on the type of case.
You can search for existing guardianship records by the name of the ward or guardian. These cases are public unless the judge has sealed the file. The Michigan Legal Help website has free guides if you need to file a guardianship or respond to one. The State Bar of Michigan can refer you to a probate attorney if needed.
Note: Always confirm fees with the Luce County court before mailing a payment.
Filing Probate Documents in Luce County
Filings at the Luce County Probate Court must use approved forms from the State Court Administrative Office. The clerk can provide blank forms or you can download them from the SCAO website. Fill out every field before you bring the forms in. Incomplete filings get returned. Once accepted, the court assigns a case number. Keep it. You will need it for everything that follows.
Electronic filing through MiFILE may be available for some case types. Check with the court to see if your filing qualifies. Given the remote location of Luce County in the Upper Peninsula, e-filing can be a real time saver for people who live far from Newberry.
Nearby Counties
Probate courts in neighboring Upper Peninsula counties: