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Arenac County, MI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Arenac County Probate Court information |
|---|---|
| Court | Arenac County Probate Court, court code P06 |
| Courthouse address | Arenac County Courthouse, 120 N. Grove St., Standish, MI 48658 |
| Mailing address | PO Box 666, Standish, MI 48658 |
| Probate register phone | (989) 846-6941 |
| Fax | (989) 846-9199 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| 2026 opening cost | $175.00 for a 2026 decedent-estate opening, made up of $150.00 under MCL 600.880 plus a $25.00 electronic filing system fee under MCL 600.1986, plus the inventory fee under MCL 600.871. A 2026 assignment of property petition costs $25.00 under MCL 600.880, plus the inventory fee. |
| Local forms | The Arenac probate page publishes no local cover sheet, checklist or estate packet. Use the statewide SCAO probate forms. |
| MiFILE status | Arenac County Probate Court is not listed on MiFILE for probate filings. |
| Case search | Arenac probate is not listed in MiCOURT case search. The court page links a public court docket display, but for an estate file status, call the probate office. |
| Online payment | The probate page names Allpaid.com as an accepted online payment method and directs users to www.allpaid.com. |
| Remote appearance | Arenac publishes no local Zoom link or estate-hearing instruction. Uncontested decedent-estate hearings are presumed eligible for videoconferencing under MCR 5.140 and MCR 2.407, unless the court requires another format. |
| Website | https://www.arenaccountymi.gov/Courts-Law/Probate-Court/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file anything in Arenac County Probate Court, list the decedent's assets, debts, co-owned property, beneficiary designations and any property located outside Michigan. The right estate settlement path depends on what must actually pass through the estate.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 financial institutions, which can help you find accounts before you choose between a small-estate option and a full Arenac County probate filing.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Arenac County Courthouse at 120 N. Grove St. in Standish is the probate court location for Arenac County. The court is a standalone single-county probate court, not one of Michigan's two-county probate districts.
File in Arenac County when the decedent was domiciled in Arenac County at death. If the decedent was not domiciled in Michigan, venue can be in a Michigan county where the decedent's property was located at death (MCL 700.3201).
The jurisdiction process
- Identify the local filing office. Arenac County estate filings go to the probate register at Arenac County Probate Court, 120 N. Grove St., Standish, MI 48658, or by mail to PO Box 666, Standish, MI 48658.
- Choose the Michigan form path. Use PC 558 for an informal opening, PC 559 for a formal opening, or PC 556 for assignment of property when that Michigan small-estate path fits. Use the statewide SCAO forms because the Arenac probate page publishes no local estate cover sheet.
- Prepare the supporting documents. Include the will if there is one, the death certificate, heir information, any needed testimony forms, the acceptance of appointment and protected personal identifying information on MC 97 when required by the SCAO forms.
- Pay the correct 2026 court cost. Opening a decedent estate costs $175.00, made up of $150.00 under MCL 600.880 plus a $25.00 electronic filing system fee under MCL 600.1986, and the estate also owes an inventory fee under MCL 600.871. A 2026 assignment of property petition costs $25.00 under MCL 600.880, plus the inventory fee.
- Handle notice. On the informal track, give the required notice after informal probate is granted. If a hearing is set, serve the notice of hearing and proof of service required for that proceeding.
- Confirm the hearing format. Arenac publishes no standing remote-hearing link for estates. For an uncontested decedent-estate hearing, videoconferencing is presumed available under MCR 5.140 and MCR 2.407 unless the court requires another format, so follow the notice from the court.
- Receive authority. Once appointed and qualified, the personal representative receives letters of authority on PC 572. Certified copies in 2026 are charged under MCL 600.2546 at $10.00 for certification plus $1.00 per page.
- Administer the estate. The personal representative gathers assets, handles creditor notice, files the inventory information within 91 days after letters of authority under MCR 5.307, pays allowed claims and distributes property.
- Close the estate. Use the closing route that fits the case, such as a sworn statement to close unsupervised administration or, when needed, a petition for complete estate settlement.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Arenac County
Arenac County Probate Court's probate page publishes no local estate cover sheet, checklist or packet. Decedent-estate filings use Michigan's statewide SCAO probate forms.
| Need | Common Michigan form | Arenac County filing note |
|---|---|---|
| Open an informal estate | PC 558, Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative | File with the probate register in Standish or by mail to the probate PO Box. |
| Open a formal estate | PC 559, Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative | Use when a judge must decide the issue rather than the probate register. |
| Assignment of property | PC 556, Petition and Order for Assignment | Filed with the court. For a 2026 death, the assignment limit is $53,000 under MCL 700.3982, and the petition costs $25.00 under MCL 600.880, plus the inventory fee. |
| Transfer by affidavit | PC 598, Affidavit of Decedent's Successor for Delivery of Certain Assets Owned by Decedent | Not filed with the court. For a 2026 death, this path uses the $53,000 limit under MCL 700.3983 when the statute's requirements are met. |
| Letters of authority | PC 572, Letters of Authority for Personal Representative | The authority document issued after appointment and qualification. |
| Inventory | PC 577, Inventory (Decedent Estate) | Inventory information is due within 91 days after letters of authority under MCR 5.307. |
| Close an unsupervised estate | PC 591, Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration | Use when the estate qualifies for closing by sworn statement. |
Local nuance
Arenac County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for an Arenac filing |
|---|---|
| Lunch closure | The probate office publishes a lunch closure from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., so plan counter visits outside that hour. |
| Standalone court | Arenac is not in a two-county probate district. File Arenac County probate matters in Standish. |
| No MiFILE listing | Arenac County Probate Court is not listed on MiFILE for probate filings. Use the local filing office and mailing address. |
| MiCOURT case search | Arenac probate is not listed in MiCOURT case search. Call the probate office for estate file status. |
| Online payment page | The probate page directs users to Allpaid.com for online payment, without publishing a probate-specific deep link. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Arenac County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | First confirm what, if anything, must pass through the estate. If other assets need a personal representative, open the estate with Arenac County Probate Court in Standish and request letters of authority. | Sunset helps identify accounts, organize documents and prepare the probate packet for local filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | If the estate fits a Michigan small-estate option, the adult child may be able to use transfer by affidavit outside court or file PC 556 for assignment of property in Arenac County. For a 2026 death, the limit is $53,000 under MCL 700.3982 and 700.3983. | Sunset helps compare the asset list against the form path, create the packet and connect the family with a Michigan attorney if needed. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the home must be sold through the estate, the parent usually needs a personal representative appointed by Arenac County Probate Court before signing sale documents for the estate. | Sunset helps gather asset and debt information, generate filing documents and find local probate counsel for the sale and court steps. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link or contact |
|---|---|---|
| Arenac County Probate Court | Local court page for the probate register, address, phone, fax, hours, payment reference and court docket link. | https://www.arenaccountymi.gov/Courts-Law/Probate-Court/ |
| Michigan Trial Court Directory | State court directory entry for Arenac County Probate Court contact information. | https://www.courts.michigan.gov/trial-court-directory/ |
| SCAO estates forms | Statewide probate form index for decedent estates, trusts and related probate filings. | https://www.courts.michigan.gov/SCAO-forms/Estates-Trusts/ |
| Inventory fee calculator | Michigan Judiciary tool for estimating the inventory fee owed under MCL 600.871. | https://www.courts.michigan.gov/courts/trial-courts/inventory-calculator/ |
| Michigan Legal Help | Plain-language Michigan probate articles and do-it-yourself tools, including small-estate and probate topics. | https://michiganlegalhelp.org/ |
| Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Saginaw office | Free civil legal help for eligible residents of Arenac County. Ask intake whether the estate question fits its services. | 301 E. Genesee Ave., 5th Floor of the Commerce Building, Saginaw, MI 48607. Phone: (800) 322-4512. Intake hours: Monday through Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; closed to walk-ins Friday, with virtual assistance available. |
When to hire an attorney
Consider working with a Michigan probate attorney if heirs disagree, a will contest is possible, real estate must be sold, creditors are active, a bond issue arises or you are handling the estate from outside Arenac County. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney when legal help is the right next step.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets
Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions and helps you build the asset list that drives estate settlement decisions in Arenac County.
Generate the probate packet
Sunset turns the information you provide into a clear probate packet using the Michigan SCAO forms for the path you choose.
Find a local probate attorney
If the estate needs legal advice, a contested hearing, a real-estate sale or help with creditor issues, Sunset can connect you with a vetted Michigan probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families
Sunset's estate settlement platform is free for families, including asset discovery, probate document generation and attorney matching when you want professional help.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Arenac County?
File with the probate register at Arenac County Probate Court, Arenac County Courthouse, 120 N. Grove St., Standish, MI 48658. The probate mailing address is PO Box 666, Standish, MI 48658.
Is Arenac County Probate Court on MiFILE?
No. Arenac County Probate Court is not listed on MiFILE for probate filings. Use the probate office in Standish and the court's mailing address.
What are the Arenac County Probate Court hours?
The published hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Can I look up an Arenac County probate case online?
Arenac probate is not listed in MiCOURT case search. The court page links a public court docket display, but for estate file status, call the probate office at (989) 846-6941 during published hours.
Does Arenac County have local probate forms?
The Arenac probate page publishes no local estate cover sheet, checklist or packet. Use the Michigan SCAO probate forms for decedent estates.
How much does it cost to open an estate in Arenac County in 2026?
A 2026 decedent-estate opening costs $175.00, made up of $150.00 under MCL 600.880 plus a $25.00 electronic filing system fee under MCL 600.1986. The estate also owes the inventory fee under MCL 600.871.
Can I pay Arenac County probate costs online?
The Arenac probate page names Allpaid.com as an accepted online payment method and directs users to www.allpaid.com. It does not publish a probate-specific deep link.
Can I appear remotely for an Arenac County probate hearing?
Arenac publishes no local Zoom link or standing estate-hearing instruction. Uncontested decedent-estate hearings are presumed eligible for videoconferencing under MCR 5.140 and MCR 2.407, but follow the notice from the court for your hearing format.
Do I have to travel to Standish to handle an Arenac County estate?
Not always. Some filings can be mailed to the probate PO Box, and uncontested hearings may be handled by videoconferencing when allowed under MCR 5.140 and MCR 2.407. If you need to use the counter, plan around the 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. lunch closure.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.