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Clinton County, MI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Clinton County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Clinton County Probate Court |
| Courthouse address | Clinton County Courthouse, 100 E. State Street, Suite 4300, St. Johns, MI 48879 |
| Mailing | The court publishes the Suite 4300 street address for mailing checks and paperwork. Call (989) 224-5190 before mailing an estate filing. |
| Phone | (989) 224-5190 |
| [email protected] for questions. The court does not say that estate filings may be submitted by email. | |
| Fax | The probate court does not publish a fax number. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The court says the office may close during the lunch hour when short staffed and asks visitors to call first to confirm staff availability. |
| Filing fee | As of August 2026, opening a decedent estate costs $175.00, made up of a $150.00 filing fee (MCL 600.880) plus a $25.00 electronic filing system fee (MCL 600.1986), and the estate also owes the inventory fee under (MCL 600.871). As of August 2026, a petition for assignment costs $25.00 plus the inventory fee (MCL 600.880). |
| Local forms | No local estate form or local cover sheet is published. Clinton County requires current SCAO-approved forms and publishes two local estate information sheets. |
| E-filing | Clinton County Probate Court is not on MiFILE. Estate paperwork goes to the probate register in Suite 4300 or by the delivery method the court gives you when you call. |
| Case lookup | No online lookup is published for Clinton County estate files. The county's circuit and district court lookup links do not search probate estates. |
| Remote appearance | The court states that uncontested estate hearings are presumed to be held by Zoom unless a participant asks to appear in person, cannot use the technology adequately, or the court decides video is inappropriate. Other remote participation must be approved in advance. |
| Payments | The court publishes an online payment page for probate court payments and says fees can be paid by cash, check, or online. The court also says out-of-state personal checks are not accepted, so call before mailing payment from outside Michigan. |
| Website | Clinton County Probate Court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Michigan probate path, build a practical inventory of what the person owned, what was jointly held, what had a beneficiary, what debts remain, and whether any Clinton County real estate must be sold or retitled. That asset picture drives whether you can use a smaller procedure, an informal estate through the probate register, or a formal proceeding before the probate judge.
Sunset's estate settlement platform helps families search across 2,300 institutions for accounts, insurance, retirement assets, and other property that can change the filing plan. In Clinton County, that work is especially useful before you bring papers to Suite 4300, because the court asks for supporting documents with the inventory and says the probate counter cannot give legal advice beyond filing requirements.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Clinton County has its own Probate Court in St. Johns. It is not part of a two-county probate district, and a Clinton County estate is opened at the probate register's counter in Suite 4300 of the Clinton County Courthouse, not in another county.
Venue for the first informal or formal testacy 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's property was located at death (MCL 700.3201). For a Michigan resident, domicile in Clinton County is what sends the estate to St. Johns.
The county's own township materials list Bath, Bengal, Bingham, Dallas, DeWitt, Duplain, Eagle, Essex, Greenbush, Lebanon, Olive, Ovid, Riley, Victor, Watertown, and Westphalia townships. The same Probate Court serves estates for those Clinton County communities.
The jurisdiction process
- Identify the assets, debts, beneficiaries, real estate, and any original will. If the decedent was domiciled in Clinton County, plan to work with the Clinton County Probate Court in St. Johns (MCL 700.3201).
- Choose the Michigan path that fits the asset picture. For an informal estate, Clinton County's own materials point filers to the application route handled by the probate register. If you need court findings, a dispute exists, or supervised administration is requested, use the formal route before the probate judge.
- Use current SCAO-approved forms from the Estates, Trusts, and Miscellaneous Probate Forms index. Clinton County says that since July 1, 2021 it requires current SCAO-approved forms and warns that an outdated form may be refused.
- Work through Clinton County's opening information sheet before filing. The court asks filers to bring the SCAO estate forms plus items such as MC 505 contact information, a copy of the death certificate, proof of fiduciary identity, a copy of the proposed personal representative's driver's licence, and protected personal identifying information forms where needed.
- Call (989) 224-5190 before you go to the courthouse or mail papers. The counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but the court says it may close during the lunch hour when short staffed.
- File at the probate register's counter in Suite 4300 of the Clinton County Courthouse, 100 E. State Street, St. Johns, MI 48879, or use the delivery method the court gives you. Clinton County Probate Court is not on MiFILE, and the MiFILE listing for the 65A District Court in the same building does not apply to estates.
- Pay the statutory filing charge. As of August 2026, opening a decedent estate costs $175.00, made up of a $150.00 filing fee (MCL 600.880) plus a $25.00 electronic filing system fee (MCL 600.1986), and the estate also owes the inventory fee under (MCL 600.871). The court publishes an online payment page for probate court payments, but call before assuming a particular filing can be paid there.
- Give required notices after appointment. Clinton County's administration sheet names the Lansing State Journal and the Meridian Weekly for publication of the notice to creditors and asks for the affidavit of publication to be sent back to the court.
- Use the letters of authority promptly. Clinton County says its letters of authority initially expire 119 days from issuance to match the inventory timing, and that new letters are issued after a satisfactory inventory is received.
- File the inventory with the supporting documents the court asks for, such as bank statements, vehicle values, and a real estate tax statement. The inventory fee must be handled before closing under the statewide fee rules (MCL 600.871).
- If a hearing is required, follow the court's Zoom notice. Uncontested estate hearings are presumed to be held by Zoom, a participant may ask to appear in person, and other remote participation must be approved in advance.
- Close only after the administration steps are complete. Clinton County asks for closing papers together and says the sworn statement to close will not be accepted until the required papers have been filed and fees paid.
Executor duties
Clinton County adds several practical expectations for a personal representative, the role many people still call the executor. The court says letters of authority have an initial 119 day expiration tied to the inventory, then are reissued for one year after a satisfactory inventory is received. That makes the inventory deadline more than a paperwork deadline, because banks and buyers may reject expired letters.
The court's administration information sheet asks for supporting documents with the inventory, including bank statements, vehicle values, and a real estate tax statement. It also asks for proof of service and tells filers to send the court the affidavit of publication after the notice to creditors runs in one of the newspapers the court names.
For closing, Clinton County asks that the closing papers be submitted together and says it will not accept the sworn statement to close until the earlier administration papers have been filed and fees are paid.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Clinton County
Clinton County does not publish a local estate form or local probate cover sheet. The court instead directs filers to current SCAO-approved forms and says that an outdated SCAO form may be refused.
The useful local materials are the court's own estate information sheets. One covers opening a decedent's estate and is dated February 2023. The other covers administering a decedent's estate and is dated August 13, 2024. They are checklists for this counter, not forms to file.
| Form or resource | How it is used in Clinton County |
|---|---|
| SCAO Estates, Trusts, and Miscellaneous Probate Forms | Use this index for the current statewide PC forms. Clinton County requires current SCAO-approved forms. |
| PC 558 | Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative. Clinton County's informal estate materials describe this route through the probate register. |
| PC 559 | Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative, used for the formal route before the probate judge. |
| PC 556 | Petition and Order for Assignment, used for assignment of property. Clinton County asks for a copy of the death certificate and evidence showing the funeral bill has been paid or remains unpaid. |
| PC 572 | Letters of Authority for Personal Representative. Clinton County says its initial letters expire in 119 days and are reissued after the inventory is received. |
| PC 577 | Inventory. Clinton County asks for supporting documents such as bank statements, vehicle values, and a real estate tax statement. |
| MC 505 | Contact information. Clinton County lists it on the opening information sheet. |
| MC 97 and MC 97A | Protected personal identifying information forms, used so account numbers and other sensitive information are not placed on public-facing forms. |
Local nuance
Clinton County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Lunch-hour staffing caution | The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but says the office may close during the lunch hour when short staffed. Call (989) 224-5190 before travelling to St. Johns. |
| No MiFILE for probate | The 65A District Court in the same courthouse is on MiFILE, but Clinton County Probate Court is not. Do not use the district court's e-filing listing for an estate. |
| No online estate lookup | The county's online case links serve circuit and district court matters. For a Clinton County estate file, call the Probate Court at (989) 224-5190 or ask at Suite 4300. |
| Zoom for uncontested estates | The court's notice says uncontested estate hearings are presumed to be held by Zoom, subject to a request to appear in person, technology limits, or a court decision that video is inappropriate. |
| Letters of authority expire quickly at first | Clinton County says initial letters expire 119 days from issuance and are reissued after the inventory is received. |
| AI disclosure notice | The court states that attorneys and litigants must disclose use of artificial intelligence and verify the accuracy of citations. |
Small-estate Alternatives
For an assignment of property in Clinton County, use PC 556, Petition and Order for Assignment. The current statewide dollar figure is the one for the decedent's year of death, and for a 2026 death the assignment of property and transfer by affidavit figure is $53,000 (MCL 700.3982, 700.3983).
Clinton County's local submission list asks for the completed petition, a copy of the death certificate, a copy of the paid funeral bill showing a zero balance and who paid, the $25.00 filing fee as of August 2026 (MCL 600.880), and the inventory fee (MCL 600.871). If funeral expenses remain unpaid, the court says assets will be assigned first to the funeral home that provided the services.
Recent updates
| Date | Local update |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2021 | Clinton County Probate Court says it requires current SCAO-approved forms and may refuse an outdated version. |
| September 9, 2022 | The court's probate notice says uncontested estate hearings are presumed to be conducted by Zoom unless an exception applies. |
| August 13, 2024 | The court's administering a decedent's estate information sheet carries this update date and describes inventory support, publication, and closing packet expectations. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Clinton County path | Local steps | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | If the home passes outside probate and the remaining assets are limited, you may not need full administration. If the estate needs a personal representative to collect assets, use the Clinton County Probate Court in St. Johns. | Confirm title and beneficiary designations first. If an estate is needed, use current SCAO forms, call Suite 4300 before visiting, and expect the court's inventory support request if letters of authority are issued. | Sunset helps identify accounts, insurance, and ownership details before the spouse chooses the estate settlement path. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Assignment of property may fit if the Michigan small-estate rules apply. As of August 2026, the court's local filing charge for that petition is $25.00 plus the inventory fee (MCL 600.880, MCL 600.871). | Use PC 556, include the death certificate and funeral bill evidence the court asks for, and call before mailing payment because the court says out-of-state personal checks are not accepted. | Sunset organizes the asset list, helps generate the packet, and can connect the child with a Michigan probate attorney if the papers need local review. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A full estate is often needed when a home must be sold through the estate and a personal representative needs authority to sign closing documents. | File in Suite 4300 if Clinton County is the proper venue, request letters of authority, track the 119 day initial expiration, and file the inventory with the supporting documents the court asks for. | Sunset helps find financial accounts, prepare the probate packet, and connect the family with a local attorney for the sale and court filings. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Clinton County Probate Court | The filing counter for Clinton County estates. The court can answer filing requirement questions but says it cannot give legal advice. | 100 E. State Street, Suite 4300, St. Johns, MI 48879. (989) 224-5190. [email protected]. |
| Clinton County estates pages | Local pages for informal estates, formal estates, supervised administration, and petitions for assignment. | Use the website first, then call (989) 224-5190 with filing questions. |
| Opening a decedent's estate information sheet | The court's checklist for opening an estate in Clinton County. | Published by the Probate Court. |
| Administering a decedent's estate information sheet | The court's checklist for publication, inventory support, and closing papers. | Published by the Probate Court. |
| Probate court online payment page | Payment page for Clinton County Probate Court payments by card. Call first to confirm the fee type can be paid there. | Payment page lists Clinton County Probate Court, Suite 4300, and (989) 224-5190. |
| SCAO estates, trusts, and miscellaneous probate forms | Current statewide forms used in Clinton County probate matters. | Online form index. |
| Inventory fee calculator | Michigan Judiciary calculator for the inventory fee owed on estate assets. | Online calculator. |
| Michigan Trial Court Directory | Judiciary directory listing for Clinton County Probate Court, useful for checking court contact information. | Online directory. |
| Michigan Legal Help | Plain-language Michigan self-help articles and tools for small estates, informal probate, formal probate, and related topics. | Online resource. |
| Legal Services of South Central Michigan, Lansing office | Free civil legal help for eligible low income residents of Clinton, Ingham, Eaton, Livingston, and Shiawassee counties. Ask intake whether an estate question fits its services. | 3490 Belle Chase Way, #50, Lansing, MI 48911. 888-783-8190. |
When to hire an attorney
A probate attorney is especially useful in Clinton County when real property must be sold or title must be cleared, heirs disagree, a will challenge is possible, creditors are pressing claims, the proposed personal representative lives outside Michigan, or the filing belongs on the formal track before the probate judge. The court's checklists tell you what the counter wants, but the court says it cannot give legal advice beyond filing requirements (MCL 700.1211). Sunset connects families with a vetted Michigan probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across 2,300 institutions to help identify bank accounts, investments, insurance, retirement assets, and other property that can shape the Clinton County estate settlement plan.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset turns the asset picture and family information into an organized probate packet using Michigan's SCAO forms, then helps you match that packet to Clinton County's local checklist before filing in Suite 4300.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate involves a home sale, creditor conflict, a will dispute, or formal court action, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted Michigan probate attorney who understands Clinton County practice.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools at no cost while they decide whether to file on their own, ask the court procedural questions, or work with counsel.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate for a Clinton County resident?
File at the Clinton County Probate Court, Clinton County Courthouse, 100 E. State Street, Suite 4300, St. Johns, MI 48879. Venue is generally the county where the decedent was domiciled at death, or, for a non-Michigan decedent, a county where the decedent's property was located at death (MCL 700.3201).
Can I e-file a Clinton County estate?
No. Clinton County Probate Court is not on MiFILE. The 65A District Court in the same courthouse is on MiFILE, but that does not apply to probate estates. Call (989) 224-5190 to ask how the probate counter wants your papers delivered.
Is there an online case lookup for Clinton County probate estates?
No online lookup is published for Clinton County estate files. The county's circuit and district court lookup links do not search probate estates. To ask about an estate file, call the Probate Court at (989) 224-5190 or visit Suite 4300.
What are the Clinton County Probate Court hours?
The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The court says the office may close during the lunch hour when short staffed, so call (989) 224-5190 before travelling to St. Johns.
Does Clinton County hold probate hearings by Zoom?
For uncontested estates, yes, the court's notice says those hearings are presumed to be held by Zoom unless a participant asks to appear in person, cannot adequately use the technology, or the court decides video is inappropriate. Other remote participation must be approved in advance. Michigan's court rules also presume videoconferencing for uncontested decedent-estate petitions and motions, subject to the court's control of how the hearing is held (MCR 5.140, MCR 2.407).
Does Clinton County have its own probate forms?
No local estate form or local cover sheet is published. Clinton County requires current SCAO-approved forms and publishes two local estate information sheets that explain what this counter asks you to bring.
How much does it cost to open a Clinton County probate estate?
As of August 2026, opening a decedent estate costs $175.00, made up of a $150.00 filing fee (MCL 600.880) plus a $25.00 electronic filing system fee (MCL 600.1986). The estate also owes an inventory fee based on asset value (MCL 600.871). Use the Michigan Judiciary inventory fee calculator before filing.
Can I pay Clinton County probate fees online?
The court publishes an online payment page for probate court payments and says fees can be paid by cash, check, or online. Because the payment page does not list every filing type, call (989) 224-5190 before assuming a particular probate filing can be paid online.
Do I have to travel to St. Johns if I live out of state?
Maybe not for every step. The court presumes Zoom for uncontested estate hearings, but Clinton County Probate Court is not on MiFILE and does not publish an email or fax filing procedure for estates. Call the probate counter before mailing papers, and do not send an out-of-state personal check without confirming payment instructions.
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.