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Baraga County, MI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Baraga County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Baraga County Probate Court |
| Courthouse address | Baraga County Courthouse, 16 N. 3rd Street, L'Anse, MI 49946 |
| Mailing | No separate probate mailing address is listed. Use the courthouse address unless the Probate Court gives different mailing instructions. |
| Phone | (906) 524-6100, Ext. 7 |
| Fax | (906) 524-2052 |
| Hours | Public probate counter hours are not listed. Call the probate registrar's counter before going to the courthouse. |
| Estate opening cost | $175.00 for 2026 under MCL 600.880 and MCL 600.1986, plus the estate inventory fee under MCL 600.871. The inventory fee is calculated separately. |
| Local forms | No local probate cover sheet, checklist, or form packet is listed for Baraga County estate filings. Use the statewide SCAO probate forms. |
| E-filing | Baraga County Probate Court is live on MiFILE as P07. Attorneys must use MiFILE. Self-represented filers may use MiFILE but are not required to use it. |
| Case lookup | No online probate case lookup is listed for Baraga County. |
| Remote appearance | No Baraga-specific remote instructions are listed. Uncontested decedent estate hearings are presumed eligible for videoconference under MCR 5.140, subject to the court's instructions. |
| Website | https://keweenawbay.org/government/departments/probate-court/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a probate path in Baraga County, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, funeral and burial expenses, possible heirs, and any will. Michigan uses different estate settlement procedures depending on what property exists, whether a personal representative is needed, and whether real property must be handled through the Probate Court.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts, insurance, investments, and other assets before filing. That gives you a clearer starting point before you contact the Baraga County Probate Court or prepare the SCAO forms.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Baraga County Probate Court at the Baraga County Courthouse in L'Anse serves estates venued in Baraga County. The county includes L'Anse, the Village of Baraga, and the townships of Arvon, Baraga, Covington, L'Anse, and Spurr.
For the first informal or formal testacy or appointment proceeding, venue is the county where the decedent was domiciled at death, or, if the decedent was not domiciled in Michigan, a county where the decedent's property was located (MCL 700.3201). Baraga County is not a probate district county, so Baraga filings stay with the Baraga County Probate Court.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the Michigan probate path that fits the estate. Informal probate uses PC 558 and can be acted on by the probate register. Formal probate uses PC 559 and goes to a judge. If a smaller estate can use assignment of property, use PC 556. Transfer by affidavit uses PC 598 and is presented to the asset holder rather than filed with the court.
- Prepare the statewide SCAO forms for the path you selected, including the will if there is one, the death certificate, testimony to identify heirs, acceptance of appointment, and any protected personal identifying information form needed for account numbers.
- File with the Baraga County Probate Court at the Baraga County Courthouse, 16 N. 3rd Street, L'Anse, MI 49946. Attorneys must use MiFILE for Baraga probate cases. Self-represented filers may use MiFILE but should call (906) 524-6100, Ext. 7 before relying on in-person or mail delivery because public probate hours and delivery options are not listed.
- Pay the opening cost if full administration is needed. Opening a decedent estate costs $175.00 for 2026 under MCL 600.880 and MCL 600.1986, and the estate also owes the inventory fee under MCL 600.871. Assignment of property has a different court filing cost under Michigan law and still uses the inventory fee calculation.
- Give the required notices. In an informal case, written information of the probate must be given within 28 days after informal probate is granted (MCL 700.3306). After appointment, the personal representative must handle creditor notice under MCL 700.3801.
- Watch for a hearing notice if the filing requires a hearing. Baraga County does not list estate hearing days or standing remote instructions. For uncontested decedent estate matters, videoconferencing is presumed under MCR 5.140, but follow the access instructions in the court notice.
- After appointment, obtain certified letters of authority for the personal representative. Certified copies cost $10.00 plus $1.00 per page under MCL 600.2546.
- Administer the estate. The personal representative gathers assets, protects property, gives required notices, files inventory information within 91 days after letters of authority under MCR 5.307, pays allowed claims and expenses, distributes property, and closes the estate under the applicable Michigan closing procedure.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Baraga County
Baraga County does not list a local probate cover sheet, checklist, or estate form packet for decedent estate filings. Use the statewide SCAO Estates, Trusts, and Miscellaneous Probate Forms index for Michigan probate forms.
| Form source | Use in Baraga County |
|---|---|
| SCAO Estates, Trusts, and Miscellaneous Probate Forms | Use statewide PC forms for informal probate, formal probate, assignment of property, inventory, creditor notices, accounts, and closing. |
| PC 558 | Application for informal probate and/or appointment of personal representative. |
| PC 559 | Petition for probate and/or appointment of personal representative when a formal proceeding is needed. |
| PC 556 | Petition and order for assignment, filed with the Probate Court when that Michigan small-estate path applies. |
| PC 598 | Affidavit of decedent's successor for delivery of certain assets owned by decedent, used for transfer by affidavit and presented to the asset holder rather than filed with the court. |
Local nuance
Baraga County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means for a Baraga filing |
|---|---|
| Standalone Probate Court | Baraga County is not in a two-county probate district. File Baraga estates with the Baraga County Probate Court in L'Anse when venue belongs in Baraga County. |
| Correct courthouse | Use the Baraga County Courthouse at 16 N. 3rd Street for probate. Do not use the separate county government building address for estate filings. |
| MiFILE distinction | Baraga probate is live on MiFILE as P07. A separate county notice about MiFILE for the 97th District Court is about a different court. |
| Hours not listed | The Probate Court does not list public counter hours. Call (906) 524-6100, Ext. 7 before traveling to L'Anse. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Scenario | Likely Baraga County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by confirming how the home is titled and whether any estate asset actually needs Baraga County Probate Court authority. If a personal representative is needed for other property, file the appropriate Michigan opening forms in Baraga County. | Sunset helps identify accounts, insurance, and other assets before the spouse decides whether a court filing is needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Check whether transfer by affidavit or assignment of property fits before opening full administration. If a court filing is needed, Baraga probate is on MiFILE, and self-represented filers may use it but are not required to use it. | Sunset helps assemble the asset list, organize heirs and documents, and generate a probate packet for the chosen path. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale usually requires a personal representative with letters of authority if the property must pass through the estate. File with the Baraga County Probate Court if Baraga County is the proper venue. | Sunset helps prepare the estate settlement information and can connect the family with a Michigan probate attorney when a real-estate sale is involved. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Baraga County Probate Court | Local filing office for Baraga County probate matters. Call before visiting because public probate counter hours are not listed. | (906) 524-6100, Ext. 7 https://keweenawbay.org/government/departments/probate-court/ |
| Michigan Trial Court Directory | State court directory for court contact cross-checks. | https://www.courts.michigan.gov/trial-court-directory/ |
| SCAO probate forms | Statewide Michigan probate forms for estates, trusts, and related probate matters. | https://www.courts.michigan.gov/SCAO-forms/Estates-Trusts/ |
| Inventory fee calculator | State 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 information and guided help for some small-estate issues. | https://michiganlegalhelp.org/ |
| Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Houghton office | Civil legal-aid provider listing Baraga County in its service area. Intake priorities may limit whether an estate matter is accepted. | 706 W. Sharon Avenue, Houghton, MI 49931 (906) 482-3908 (888) 482-2343 [email protected] |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Michigan probate attorney if the estate includes real property that must be sold, family members disagree about who should serve, a creditor issue is likely, the will may be challenged, or you are handling the case from outside Baraga 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 institutions to help families locate financial accounts, insurance, investments, and other assets that may belong in the estate settlement plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized Michigan probate packet so you can file more confidently with the Baraga County Probate Court or share it with counsel.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal advice, court strategy, or help with a home sale, Sunset can connect you with a vetted Michigan probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate, understand next steps, and decide whether they need court filing help or attorney support.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Baraga County?
File Baraga County probate matters with the Baraga County Probate Court at the Baraga County Courthouse, 16 N. 3rd Street, L'Anse, MI 49946, when venue belongs in Baraga County under MCL 700.3201.
Is Baraga County Probate Court on MiFILE?
Yes. Baraga County Probate Court is on MiFILE as P07. Attorneys must use MiFILE. Self-represented filers may use MiFILE but are not required to use it.
What are the Baraga County probate counter hours?
The Probate Court does not list public counter hours. Call (906) 524-6100, Ext. 7 before going to the courthouse.
Can I look up a Baraga County probate case online?
No online probate case lookup is listed for Baraga County. Call the Baraga County Probate Court for questions about a pending estate.
Does Baraga County require local probate forms?
No local probate cover sheet, checklist, or estate form packet is listed for Baraga County. Michigan probate courts use statewide SCAO probate forms.
How much does it cost to open a Baraga County estate?
Opening a decedent estate costs $175.00 for 2026 under MCL 600.880 and MCL 600.1986, plus the inventory fee under MCL 600.871. The inventory fee depends on the estate inventory value.
Can I appear remotely for a Baraga County probate hearing?
No Baraga-specific remote appearance instructions are listed. Under MCR 5.140, uncontested decedent estate hearings are presumed eligible for videoconference, but the court can give case-specific instructions.
Do I have to travel to L'Anse to start estate settlement?
Not always. Attorneys use MiFILE, and self-represented filers may use MiFILE. Because Baraga County does not list public probate hours or delivery options, call the probate registrar's counter before making travel plans.
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.