Find Mason County Probate Records
Mason County probate court records are held at the courthouse in Ludington, Michigan. The probate court is part of the 51st Circuit and handles estate, trust, guardianship, and conservatorship filings for the county. If you need to search for a case, get copies of court documents, or file a new probate matter, this page lays out how things work in Mason County. Most searches happen in person at the courthouse, but the statewide online portal can also help. The court staff in Ludington can answer questions about what records are available and how much copies cost.
Mason County Overview
Mason County Probate Court Office
The Mason County Probate Court is at 304 E. Ludington Ave. in Ludington. The court handles all probate matters for Mason County, including estates, trusts, guardianships for adults and minors, conservatorships, and mental health cases. Under MCL 700.1302, the probate court has exclusive jurisdiction over these case types. Court staff can check if a case is on file and tell you the fees for copies.
Mason County shares the 51st Circuit with Lake and Manistee Counties. The court in Ludington handles a moderate number of cases each year. All filings must use SCAO-approved forms as required by MCL 600.855. You can get these from the SCAO probate forms page.
Searching Mason County Probate Records
There are a few ways to search for probate court records in Mason County. Visit the courthouse at 304 E. Ludington Ave. and the clerk can look up cases by name or case number. Most records are available for viewing at the counter. Older files may need extra time to pull from storage.
The MiCOURT Case Search is a free statewide tool that covers Mason County. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney. Not every case may appear online, so if you come up empty, call the court at (231) 843-3612.
Mail requests should go to 304 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington, MI 49431. Include the person's name, case number if available, a check or money order for copy fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Standard copies cost about $1 to $2 per page. Certified copies run $10 for the first page and $1 for each page after.
The Mason County government website has details about the probate court and local government services.
Visit the county website for contact information and links to Mason County court services.
Estate Filings in Mason County
When someone in Mason County passes away, their estate may need probate. Informal probate works for simple cases and costs about $150 to $190. Formal probate involves more court involvement and runs $170 to $210 or higher. Small estates under $15,000 can use an affidavit under MCL 700.3982 to skip formal probate.
Inventory fees follow MCL 600.871 and are based on the estate's value. The personal representative has duties under MCL 700.1101, including notifying creditors and filing an inventory. All filings must use SCAO forms. The most common are PC 558 for informal probate and PC 559 for formal petitions. Every document filed becomes part of the Mason County probate court record.
Guardianship Cases in Mason County
Guardianship and conservatorship filings are part of the Mason County probate court record. A guardian handles personal care decisions. A conservator manages finances. Both types require SCAO forms, a petition, and a court hearing. Filing costs range from $105 to $495.
Search existing cases by the name of the ward or guardian. These records are public unless sealed. The Michigan Legal Help site has free guides for these processes. The State Bar of Michigan offers a referral service for finding a probate attorney.
Resources for Mason County Probate
The Michigan Courts website has general information about probate rules and procedures that apply in Mason County. Electronic filing through MiFILE may be available for some case types. Check with the court to confirm. The Michigan Legal Help website is a free resource for self-help guides on estates, guardianships, and other probate topics.
Note: Always confirm current fees with the Mason County Probate Court before sending any payment.
Nearby Counties
Nearby courts that handle probate filings: