Search Shiawassee County Probate Records
Shiawassee County probate court records are on file at the courthouse in Corunna, Michigan. The Probate Court is part of the 35th Circuit and handles estate cases, guardianship filings, conservatorship matters, and mental health proceedings for the entire county. Shiawassee sits in the central part of the Lower Peninsula, just west of Genesee County. If you need to find a probate record or start a new case, the court office on Mack Street is where all of that happens. Records are public in most cases. This page explains how to search for Shiawassee County probate court records and what costs are involved.
Shiawassee County Overview
Shiawassee County Probate Court Details
The Shiawassee County Probate Court is at 110 E. Mack St., Corunna, MI 48817. Register Amanda Shattuck oversees the probate register office. You can call (989) 743-2211 or email ashattuck@shiawassee.net for case inquiries or filing help. The office is open during standard weekday business hours. Walk-ins can search records, file new cases, and pick up forms.
Shiawassee County has a population of around 68,000 people, so the court handles a moderate number of probate filings each year. The court processes everything from simple estate openings to complex contested matters. All filings use SCAO-approved forms, and the fee schedules follow state guidelines. The Shiawassee County website has basic information about the county and its departments. For the forms you need to file a probate case, the SCAO probate forms page has the full list.
Staff at the register office can guide you to the right form and explain the steps to file.
Finding Shiawassee County Probate Court Records
There are three main ways to search for probate records in Shiawassee County. First, you can visit the courthouse in person. The register will search for cases by name or case number. You can view files at the counter and request copies. Standard copies are about $1 per page. Certified copies cost $10 for the first page and $1 for each one after that. These fees are set by MCL 600.855.
Second, the MiCOURT Case Search portal lets you look up Shiawassee County cases online. Search by party name, case number, or attorney. The tool shows case basics like type, filing date, and parties. It works well for recent cases. Older filings may not be in the digital system yet. If you get no results online, it is worth calling the court to double-check.
Third, mail requests are an option. Send a letter to 110 E. Mack St., Corunna, MI 48817 with the person's name, any case number you have, and a check for copy fees. Put in a self-addressed stamped envelope so the court can mail your copies back.
Shiawassee County Estate Filings
Estate probate in Shiawassee County follows the standard Michigan process. After someone dies, a family member or named personal representative files a petition at the probate court. Michigan has informal probate for simple cases and formal probate when there are disputes or special circumstances. Informal applications cost roughly $150 to $175 and move through the system quickly. Formal petitions run higher, often $175 to $210 or more, and require court hearings. The register at the Shiawassee County Probate Court can give you the exact fee when you file.
Small estates worth $15,000 or less after funeral costs can skip probate entirely. MCL 700.3982 allows heirs to use an affidavit to collect assets. This is faster and cheaper than going through the full court process. The form is available at the courthouse or on the SCAO website.
Personal representatives in Shiawassee County must meet the duties laid out in the Estates and Protected Individuals Code at MCL 700.1101. That means notifying creditors, creating an inventory, and filing accounts with the court. The inventory fee follows the scale in MCL 600.871 and depends on the total value of estate assets. Each document filed becomes a permanent part of the Shiawassee County probate court record.
The Shiawassee County government website has contact information and department details for the county.
Use this site to find office hours and contact details for the Shiawassee County Probate Court in Corunna.
Guardianship Records in Shiawassee County
Guardianship and conservatorship petitions are filed at the Shiawassee County Probate Court. These cases involve people who need someone else to make decisions for them, either about personal care or finances. Guardianship covers personal matters. Conservatorship covers money. Both require specific SCAO forms, a filing fee, and notice to all interested parties. A hearing is set where the judge decides whether to grant the petition.
These records are available to the public. Search for them the same way you would search for estate cases. The register can look up guardianship files by the name of the ward, the guardian, or the petitioner. Annual reports and financial accountings that guardians file are part of the record and available for review. The jurisdiction for these cases falls under MCL 700.1302, which gives the probate court authority over protected individuals in Shiawassee County.
Shiawassee County Probate Help
Several resources are available if you need help with a Shiawassee County probate case. The Michigan Legal Help website provides free legal guides and form-filling tools. The State Bar of Michigan has a lawyer referral service. And the Michigan Courts website posts court rules, contact details, and fee schedules for every probate court in the state.
Note: Confirm all fees with the Shiawassee County Probate Court at (989) 743-2211 before submitting a mail request or visiting the courthouse.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Shiawassee and have probate courts you can search: