Back to Michigan
Cass County, MI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Cass County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Cass County Probate Court |
| Courthouse | Law and Courts Building, 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031 |
| Mailing | No separate PO Box is published. Use the courthouse address. |
| Phone | (269) 445-4454 |
| Hours | Public service window: 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday. |
| Opening cost | For 2026 filings, opening a decedent estate costs $175.00, made up of $150.00 under MCL 600.880 plus $25.00 under MCL 600.1986. The estate also owes an inventory fee under MCL 600.871. |
| Local forms | The probate page points filers to statewide SCAO probate forms. It does not list a separate Cass County decedent-estate packet on the probate landing page. |
| E-filing | Cass County Probate Court is not listed on MiFILE for probate filings. |
| Case search | MiCOURT case search for Cass County Probate Court, court code P14: https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/court/P14 |
| Online payment | The court page offers online fee payment through GovPayNow. |
| Remote appearance | Uncontested decedent-estate hearings are presumed eligible for videoconferencing under MCR 5.140 and MCR 2.407, but the Cass probate page does not publish probate video-hearing instructions. |
| Website | https://casscourtsmi.org/probate-court/ |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Cass County Probate Court, make a working list of the decedent's assets, debts, accounts, real estate, vehicles, and known heirs or devisees. The right estate settlement path depends on what the estate owns, who is entitled to receive it, and whether a personal representative needs court authority.
Sunset's 2,300-institution asset discovery can help families look for accounts before choosing a filing path, preparing a petition, or deciding whether a lawyer should review the estate settlement plan.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Cass County Probate Court serves Cass County from the Law and Courts Building in Cassopolis. Cass is not one of Michigan's two-county probate districts, so the local filing counter is the Cass County Probate Court.
Michigan venue for the first informal or formal probate or appointment proceeding is the county where the decedent was domiciled at death, or, if the decedent was not domiciled in Michigan, a county where the decedent had property (MCL 700.3201). For a Cass County domiciliary, that points to Cass County Probate Court.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the filing path. Use statewide SCAO probate forms, such as PC 558 for informal probate, PC 559 for formal probate, or PC 556 for assignment of property when that path fits. A transfer by affidavit uses PC 598 and is presented to the asset holder rather than filed with the court (MCL 700.3983).
- Prepare the Cass County packet. Include the death certificate, will if one exists, heir information, acceptance of appointment if a personal representative is requested, and any protected personal identifying information on the proper Michigan confidential form.
- File at Cass County Probate Court in the Law and Courts Building, 60296 M-62, Cassopolis. The public service window is 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call the Probate Court before relying on any filing method other than the public counter.
- Pay the required court charges. For 2026 filings, a decedent-estate opening costs $175.00, which includes $150.00 under MCL 600.880 and $25.00 under MCL 600.1986. An inventory fee under MCL 600.871 is also due from the estate.
- Give required notices. In an informal probate, written information of probate must be given within 28 days after informal probate is granted (MCL 700.3306). After appointment, the personal representative handles creditor notice under Michigan law.
- Attend any hearing the court schedules. Informal matters may be handled by the probate register when the requirements are met. Formal matters and contested issues go before the probate judge.
- Ask how to appear if a hearing is set. Michigan court rules presume videoconferencing for uncontested decedent-estate matters under MCR 5.140 and MCR 2.407, but Cass County's probate page does not publish local video instructions.
- Obtain letters of authority if a personal representative is appointed. PC 572 is the Michigan authority document. Certified copies cost $10.00 plus $1.00 per page in 2026 under MCL 600.2546.
- Administer and close the estate. The personal representative gathers assets, gives notices, pays valid claims, files the inventory information within the Michigan deadline, distributes property, and closes by the correct SCAO closing form or court order.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Cass County
Cass County Probate Court points filers to statewide SCAO probate forms. The probate landing page does not list a separate Cass County decedent-estate packet, although the court also publishes a general filing reference guide.
| Form | Use in Cass County |
|---|---|
| PC 556, Petition and Order for Assignment | Filed with Cass County Probate Court for assignment of property under MCL 700.3982. For a 2026 death, the statewide figure is $53,000 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 given to the asset holder, not filed with the Probate Court. |
| PC 558, Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative | Used to ask the probate register to open an informal estate and appoint a personal representative when informal requirements are met. |
| PC 559, Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative | Used for a formal proceeding before the probate judge. |
| PC 565, Testimony to Identify Heirs | Filed with opening papers to identify heirs. |
| PC 571, Acceptance of Appointment | Used when the proposed personal representative accepts the role. |
| PC 572, Letters of Authority for Personal Representative | The authority document issued after appointment and qualification. |
| PC 577, Inventory (Decedent Estate) | Used for inventory information and inventory-fee calculation. |
| PC 591, Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration | Used to close an unsupervised estate when Michigan requirements are met. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by identifying how the home is titled and whether any Cass County probate filing is needed for other assets. If court authority is needed, file the appropriate SCAO opening papers with Cass County Probate Court in Cassopolis. | Sunset helps organize asset information, debts, account leads, and the probate packet before the spouse files or speaks with counsel. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the estate fits a Michigan small-estate path, Cass County is the local court for a Cass County domiciliary. Assignment of property uses PC 556 with the Probate Court under MCL 700.3982. Transfer by affidavit uses PC 598 with the asset holder under MCL 700.3983. | Sunset helps compare the asset list against the filing path, prepare form information, and coordinate next steps without requiring the child to start from scratch. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A sale usually requires a personal representative with authority. For a Cass County decedent, the parent would generally start with Cass County Probate Court and request appointment using the correct SCAO form. | Sunset helps collect property, debt, and heir information, then connects the family with a Michigan probate attorney when sale authority or family questions make counsel important. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Cass County Probate Court | Local probate filing office, hours, case search link, online payment link, and court information for Cass County matters. | 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031. Phone: (269) 445-4454. Website: https://casscourtsmi.org/probate-court/ |
| Michigan Trial Court Directory | State judiciary directory entry for Cass County Probate Court. | https://www.courts.michigan.gov/trial-court-directory/ |
| SCAO estates and trusts forms | Statewide Michigan probate forms used in Cass County Probate Court. | https://www.courts.michigan.gov/SCAO-forms/Estates-Trusts/ |
| Michigan Judiciary inventory fee calculator | Calculates 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 small-estate questions. | https://michiganlegalhelp.org/ |
| Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Kalamazoo office | Legal aid office serving Cass County, along with Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. | 141 E. Michigan Ave., Suite 400, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Phone: (269) 344-8113. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a probate attorney if there is a will contest, disagreement among heirs, real estate that must be sold, creditor pressure, missing heirs, business assets, or uncertainty about whether informal probate is enough. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset helps families locate financial accounts, insurance, retirement assets, real estate clues, vehicles, and debts so the Cass County filing starts from a clearer asset list.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the information you provide into an organized probate packet using Michigan terms, Cass County court details, and the SCAO form path that fits the estate.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate needs legal advice, sale authority, contested-hearing support, or help choosing between informal and formal probate, Sunset connects families with a vetted probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to organize estate settlement tasks, gather documents, and understand next steps before paying filing costs or legal fees.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for a Cass County resident?
File at Cass County Probate Court in the Law and Courts Building, 60296 M-62, Cassopolis, MI 49031. Michigan venue is generally the county where the decedent was domiciled at death (MCL 700.3201).
What phone number should I use for Cass County Probate Court?
Use (269) 445-4454 for the Cass County Probate Court filing office.
What are the Cass County Probate Court hours?
The public service window is 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The court is closed Saturday and Sunday.
Can I e-file a Cass County probate case through MiFILE?
Cass County Probate Court is not listed on MiFILE for probate filings. If you plan to file by anything other than the public counter, call the Probate Court before sending documents.
How do I look up a Cass County probate case online?
The court page links to MiCOURT case search for Cass County Probate Court, court code P14, at https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/court/P14.
Does Cass County have its own probate forms?
The Cass County probate page points filers to statewide SCAO probate forms and does not list a separate Cass County decedent-estate packet on the probate landing page.
How much does it cost to open a Cass County probate estate?
For 2026 filings, opening a decedent estate costs $175.00, made up of $150.00 under MCL 600.880 plus $25.00 under MCL 600.1986. The estate also owes an inventory fee under MCL 600.871.
Can I attend a Cass County probate hearing by video?
Michigan court rules presume videoconferencing for uncontested decedent-estate matters under MCR 5.140 and MCR 2.407. Cass County's probate page does not publish probate video-hearing instructions, so use the instructions in the hearing notice or call the Probate Court.
Do I have to travel to Cassopolis if I live out of state?
Not always. Some estates can be handled with mailed or signed documents, and uncontested hearings may be eligible for videoconferencing under Michigan court rules. Because Cass County's probate page does not publish a full filing-channel list, call the Probate Court before relying on a non-counter filing plan.
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.