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Branch County, MI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Branch County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Branch County Probate Court |
| Courthouse address | 31 Division St., Coldwater, MI 49036 |
| Mailing address | No separate mailing address is published. Use 31 Division St., Coldwater, MI 49036. |
| Phone | 517.279.4318 |
| Fax | 517.279.6444 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The courthouse door banner lists building access as 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., so call before a late-day trip. |
| Filing fee | Opening a decedent estate costs $175.00 as of August 2026, made up of the commencement charge under MCL 600.880 and the electronic filing system fee under MCL 600.1986. The estate also owes an inventory fee under MCL 600.871. A petition for assignment of property costs $25.00 as of August 2026, plus any inventory fee. |
| Local forms | No Branch-only decedent-estate packet is published on the Probate Court pages. Use the statewide SCAO probate forms. |
| E-filing | Branch County Probate Court is not on MiFILE as of Chart 1C updated 03/17/26. The court does not publish a separate filing-channel instruction for decedent estates, so call before sending papers or traveling. |
| Case search | No online decedent-estate case search is published for Branch County Probate Court. |
| Remote appearance | No Branch decedent-estate remote-hearing instruction is published. Uncontested decedent-estate hearings are presumed eligible for videoconferencing under MCR 5.140, but the court notice controls. |
| Website | https://branchcounty.gov/courts/probate-court/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Branch County probate path, list the assets, debts, titled property, beneficiaries and unpaid expenses. The right estate settlement route depends on what exists, who can claim it, whether real estate is involved and whether a personal representative needs court authority.
Sunset helps families assemble that picture before filing. Its asset discovery searches across more than 2,300 institutions, then organizes the information needed for a Branch County estate settlement packet or attorney review.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Branch County decedent estates are filed with the Branch County Probate Court in Coldwater. Branch County is not one of Michigan's two-county probate districts, so the local filing office is the Branch County Probate Court at 31 Division St.
Michigan venue is county based. The first informal or formal probate proceeding belongs in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death, or, if the decedent was not domiciled in Michigan, in a Michigan county where the decedent left property (MCL 700.3201). For a Branch County resident, that usually means Branch County Probate Court.
The jurisdiction process
- Decide whether a court estate is needed. Check whether assets can pass outside probate, whether assignment of property or transfer by affidavit may apply, and whether a personal representative needs letters of authority. For 2026 deaths, the assignment of property and transfer by affidavit figure is $53,000 under MCL 700.3982 and MCL 700.3983, subject to the year-of-death adjustment rule.
- Prepare the statewide SCAO forms. Informal estates generally start with PC 558. Formal estates generally start with PC 559. Assignment of property uses PC 556. A transfer by affidavit uses PC 598 and is presented to the asset holder, not filed with the court.
- File in Branch County. Estate filings go to the probate register at Branch County Probate Court, 31 Division St., Coldwater, MI 49036. Branch County Probate Court is not on MiFILE as of Chart 1C updated 03/17/26. Because the court does not publish whether mail, drop box or counter filing is required for estate openings, call 517.279.4318 before sending papers or traveling.
- Pay the opening cost or assignment cost. Opening a decedent estate costs $175.00 as of August 2026, with the court charge under MCL 600.880 and the electronic filing system fee under MCL 600.1986. A petition for assignment of property costs $25.00 as of August 2026. Inventory fees under MCL 600.871 are separate.
- Give required notices. Follow the notice requirements for the path you choose. Informal probate has a post-appointment notice requirement, and an appointed personal representative must publish and send creditor notices as required by Michigan law.
- Watch for hearing instructions. Informal matters may be acted on by the probate register. Formal petitions and contested matters go before the probate judge. Branch County does not publish decedent-estate hearing days or estate-specific remote instructions, so use the hearing notice you receive.
- Get letters of authority if appointed. Once appointed and qualified, the personal representative receives letters of authority. Certified copies cost $10.00 plus $1.00 per page as of August 2026 (MCL 600.2546).
- Administer and close the estate. The personal representative inventories assets, deals with creditors, distributes property and closes the estate using the proper SCAO closing form or court order. Sunset can keep the estate settlement documents organized through each step.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Branch County
Branch County does not publish a Branch-only decedent-estate packet on the Probate Court pages. Michigan uses statewide SCAO probate forms, and informal, unsupervised estates are protected by the rule that a court may not require extra documents beyond those required by statute or court rule, except in formal proceedings and supervised administration (MCR 5.307).
| Form | Use in Branch County |
|---|---|
| PC 556, Petition and Order for Assignment | Filed with the Branch County Probate Court for assignment of property under MCL 700.3982. |
| PC 598, Affidavit of Decedent's Successor for Delivery of Certain Assets Owned by Decedent | Used for transfer by affidavit under MCL 700.3983. It is presented to the asset holder and is not filed with the court. |
| PC 558, Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative | Used to open an informal estate through the probate register. |
| PC 559, Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative | Used to ask the probate judge for formal probate or appointment. |
| PC 565, Testimony to Identify Heirs | Common opening form to identify heirs. |
| PC 571, Acceptance of Appointment | Personal representative accepts the role. |
| PC 572, Letters of Authority for Personal Representative | The authority document issued after appointment and qualification. |
| PC 577, Inventory | Used for the estate inventory and inventory-fee calculation. |
| PC 591, Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration | Used to close an unsupervised estate when the legal requirements are met. |
SCAO forms index: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/SCAO-forms/Estates-Trusts/
Local nuance
Branch County-specific considerations
Branch County publishes a special process for older probate estate files on microfilm. Early estate files can be viewed only at the County Clerk office during the posted viewing windows, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Probate staff must accompany researchers to view those microfilm files, so the court asks callers to schedule a time in advance. Walk-ins are accommodated only on a very limited basis. Photocopies of these microfilm files cost $1.00 per page as posted in August 2026, and the court states that copy quality cannot be guaranteed because of the age of the microfilm.
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Archetype | Likely Branch County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by confirming how the home is titled and whether any asset still needs court authority. If the home passes outside the estate, the Branch County filing may be limited or unnecessary. If estate authority is needed, file with the Branch County Probate Court in Coldwater. | Sunset identifies accounts, debts and title clues so the spouse can see whether a full estate settlement filing is needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | Check whether transfer by affidavit or assignment of property fits. For 2026 deaths, the figure is $53,000 under MCL 700.3982 and MCL 700.3983. Branch County is not on MiFILE, and the court does not publish a filing-channel instruction, so call before mailing papers or traveling. | Sunset organizes the asset list, generates the probate packet and helps the child decide what can be handled remotely or by counsel. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually requires a personal representative with letters of authority unless title passes outside probate or a smaller Michigan procedure fits. File the estate in Branch County if venue belongs there under MCL 700.3201. | Sunset prepares the information an attorney or personal representative needs to open the estate, collect authority and move toward sale and distribution. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Branch County Probate Court | Local filing office for Branch County decedent estates, questions about court notices, and historical microfilm estate-file scheduling. | 31 Division St., Coldwater, MI 49036. Phone 517.279.4318. Website https://branchcounty.gov/courts/probate-court/ |
| Michigan trial court directory | State court directory entry for confirming the Branch County Probate Court location and phone. | https://www.courts.michigan.gov/trial-court-directory/ |
| SCAO estates and trusts forms | Statewide probate forms used in Branch County, including PC 556, PC 558, PC 559, PC 572 and PC 577. | https://www.courts.michigan.gov/SCAO-forms/Estates-Trusts/ |
| Michigan Judiciary inventory fee calculator | Calculator for the inventory fee owed under MCL 600.871 as of August 2026. | https://www.courts.michigan.gov/courts/trial-courts/inventory-calculator/ |
| Michigan Legal Help | Plain-language Michigan probate articles and guided help for small estate questions. | https://michiganlegalhelp.org/ |
| Legal Services of South Central Michigan | Civil legal aid screening for eligible Branch County residents through the Battle Creek office. | 123 W Territorial Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015. Phone (269) 965-3951. Toll-free 1-800-688-3951. |
When to hire an attorney
Counsel makes sense when a Branch County estate includes real estate to sell, a contested will, creditor disputes, unclear heirs, tax issues, or family conflict over who should serve as personal representative. It is also useful when an out-of-state family member cannot manage filings, notices and hearings from Coldwater. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches for financial accounts, insurance, retirement assets and other property so the family can start with a complete estate settlement picture instead of guessing.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset and family information into an organized Branch County probate packet using the Michigan forms that fit the chosen path.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal judgment, court advocacy or help selling real estate, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Michigan probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize the estate, understand the next step and decide whether they need attorney help without paying Sunset a platform fee.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Branch County?
File Branch County decedent-estate matters with the Branch County Probate Court at 31 Division St., Coldwater, MI 49036. Venue belongs in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death, or, for a non-Michigan decedent, where Michigan property was located (MCL 700.3201).
Does Branch County Probate Court use MiFILE for estate filings?
No. Branch County Probate Court is not listed as a MiFILE probate court on SCAO Chart 1C updated 03/17/26. Because the court does not publish a separate estate filing-channel instruction, call 517.279.4318 before sending papers or traveling.
How much does it cost to open a Branch County probate estate?
Opening a decedent estate costs $175.00 as of August 2026, with the court charge under MCL 600.880 and the electronic filing system fee under MCL 600.1986. The estate also owes an inventory fee under MCL 600.871, which is calculated from estate value and is separate from the opening cost.
Does Branch County have its own probate forms?
Branch County does not publish a Branch-only decedent-estate packet on the Probate Court pages. Use the statewide SCAO probate forms, including PC 558 for informal probate, PC 559 for formal probate, PC 556 for assignment of property and PC 598 for transfer by affidavit.
Can I look up a Branch County probate case online?
No online decedent-estate case search is published for Branch County Probate Court. For current estate-file questions, contact the Probate Court. For older microfilm estate files, the court publishes a scheduling process because probate staff must accompany visitors to view the microfilm.
Are Branch County probate hearings remote?
Branch County does not publish decedent-estate remote-hearing instructions. Michigan court rules presume videoconferencing for uncontested decedent-estate hearings under MCR 5.140, but the court can require a matter to be in person and the hearing notice controls.
When will Branch County set my probate hearing?
Branch County does not publish decedent-estate hearing days or a filing-to-hearing window. Informal matters may be handled by the probate register without a judge, while formal or contested matters require court scheduling.
Do I have to travel to Coldwater for a Branch County estate?
Maybe. Branch County is not on MiFILE, and the court does not publish whether estate openings may be filed by mail or drop box. Call the Probate Court before traveling. If a hearing is scheduled, follow the notice for whether attendance is by videoconference, phone or in person.
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.