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Iron County, MI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Iron County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Iron County Probate Court |
| Courthouse address | Iron County Courthouse, 2 South Sixth Street, Suite 10, Crystal Falls, MI 49920 |
| Mailing address | No separate probate mailing address is published. Use the courthouse address. |
| Phone | (906) 875-0659 |
| Fax | (906) 875-0656 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Central time |
| Cost to open a decedent estate | $175.00 as of August 2026, made up of $150.00 as of August 2026 under MCL 600.880 and $25.00 as of August 2026 under MCL 600.1986, plus the inventory fee under MCL 600.871 |
| Assignment of property filing cost | $25.00 as of August 2026 under MCL 600.880, plus the inventory fee under MCL 600.871 |
| Local probate forms | Iron County does not publish a local probate cover sheet, checklist, or estate packet. Use the statewide SCAO probate forms. |
| E-filing | Iron County Probate Court is not listed for MiFILE. The county page discusses MiFILE for the 95B District Court, not for probate. |
| Case lookup | Iron County publishes no online probate case lookup. Call the probate register at (906) 875-0659. |
| Remote appearance | Iron County publishes no standing probate videoconference link. Michigan court rules presume videoconferencing for uncontested decedent estate matters when allowed by the court (MCR 5.140, MCR 2.407). |
| Website | Iron County Trial Court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you file in Iron County, list the estate assets, debts, jointly owned property, beneficiary designations, and any accounts that may pass outside probate. The right estate settlement path depends on what is in the estate, not just whether there is a will.
Sunset can help build that picture by searching across more than 2,300 financial institutions, organizing liabilities, and turning the results into a probate-ready packet for Iron County.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Iron County Probate Court serves Iron County from the Iron County Courthouse in Crystal Falls. Iron is not part of a multi-county probate district.
File the first probate proceeding in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death. If the decedent was not domiciled in Michigan, venue is in a Michigan county where the decedent had property (MCL 700.3201).
The jurisdiction process
- Identify the right Michigan probate path. For a full estate, informal probate usually begins with Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative, PC 558. Formal probate begins with Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative, PC 559. Assignment of property uses PC 556 when that statewide procedure applies (MCL 700.3982).
- Prepare the statewide SCAO forms. Iron County does not publish a local probate cover sheet or checklist, so use the Estates, Trusts, and Miscellaneous Probate Forms index and include required supporting documents, such as the death certificate, will if one exists, testimony to identify heirs, acceptance of appointment, and protected personal identifying information forms when needed.
- File with the probate register at Iron County Probate Court, Iron County Courthouse, 2 South Sixth Street, Suite 10, Crystal Falls, MI 49920. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Central time.
- Pay the opening cost. A decedent estate costs $175.00 as of August 2026, made up of $150.00 as of August 2026 under MCL 600.880 and $25.00 as of August 2026 under MCL 600.1986. The estate also owes an inventory fee under MCL 600.871. An assignment of property filing costs $25.00 as of August 2026 under MCL 600.880, plus the inventory fee under MCL 600.871.
- Give notice. Informal probate requires notice to interested persons after the probate is granted, and a personal representative must handle creditor notice under Michigan law.
- Ask the probate register whether the filing needs a hearing date. Informal probate can be handled by the probate register when the statutory requirements are met. Formal probate and contested issues go before the probate judge.
- Follow the court's appearance instructions. Iron County does not publish a standing probate videoconference link, but uncontested decedent estate hearings are presumptively eligible for videoconferencing under MCR 5.140 and MCR 2.407 unless the court requires otherwise.
- Obtain certified letters of authority after appointment. The Michigan authority document is Letters of Authority for Personal Representative, PC 572. Certified copies cost $10.00 as of August 2026 plus $1.00 per page as of August 2026 under MCL 600.2546.
- Administer and close the estate. The personal representative gathers assets, pays valid expenses and claims, files inventory information, distributes property, and closes through the proper Michigan closing form or court order.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Iron County
Iron County Probate Court does not publish a probate-specific local cover sheet, checklist, or estate packet. Estate filings use Michigan's statewide SCAO-approved probate forms.
| Need | Common statewide form | Local note |
|---|---|---|
| Open an informal estate | PC 558, Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative | File with the probate register in Suite 10 at the Iron County Courthouse. |
| Open a formal estate | PC 559, Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative | Use when a judge must decide the probate or appointment issue. |
| Assignment of property | PC 556, Petition and Order for Assignment | Filed with the Probate Court when the statewide assignment procedure applies (MCL 700.3982). |
| Transfer by affidavit | PC 598, Affidavit of Decedent's Successor for Delivery of Certain Assets Owned by Decedent | Presented to the asset holder, not filed with the Probate Court, when the statewide transfer by affidavit procedure applies (MCL 700.3983). |
| Letters of authority | PC 572, Letters of Authority for Personal Representative | This is the Michigan authority document for the personal representative. |
| Inventory | PC 577, Inventory (Decedent Estate) | Use the Michigan Judiciary inventory fee calculator before closing or the one-year payment deadline. |
Local nuance
Iron County-specific considerations
- Iron County Probate Court operates on Central time. The published court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Central time.
- The county's Trial Court page discusses MiFILE for the 95B District Court. That notice does not put Iron County Probate Court on MiFILE.
- Iron County publishes no online probate case lookup. For file questions, call the probate register at (906) 875-0659.
- The court page carries a dated April 2026 notice about intermittent phone connection issues. If a call does not connect, use the court's current website for the latest contact instructions.
Recent updates
| Local item | What it means for Iron County probate |
|---|---|
| Current court website | Iron County Probate Court information is published on the Iron County Trial Court page at ironmi.com. |
| MiFILE notice on county page | The county's MiFILE notice is for the 95B District Court, not for Iron County Probate Court. |
| Phone notice | The court page carries an April 2026 notice about intermittent phone connection issues and directs users to the page for current contact instructions. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Iron County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with a co-owned home | Start by checking how the home is titled and whether other assets need Probate Court authority. If no probate transfer is needed for the home, the Iron County filing may be limited or unnecessary. If estate assets require authority, file the correct statewide form with the probate register in Crystal Falls. | Sunset identifies accounts, flags beneficiary and co-ownership issues for review, and organizes the estate settlement documents before filing. |
| Out-of-state adult child with a small estate | Review whether assignment of property under PC 556 or transfer by affidavit under PC 598 fits the Michigan statewide rules. PC 556 is filed with Iron County Probate Court when Iron is the proper venue. PC 598 is presented to the asset holder and is not filed with the court. | Sunset helps collect asset details, prepare the probate packet, and reduce unnecessary travel by connecting you with local help when needed. |
| Parent settling a predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | If the home is estate property and must be sold through the estate, a full probate administration may be needed so a personal representative can receive letters of authority and sign sale documents. | Sunset helps find accounts and debts, generate the Iron County probate packet, and connect the family with a Michigan probate attorney if a sale or court issue needs counsel. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | What it helps with | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Iron County Probate Court | Local filing counter for Iron County estates. | 2 South Sixth Street, Suite 10, Crystal Falls, MI 49920. (906) 875-0659. Fax (906) 875-0656. |
| Estates, trusts and miscellaneous probate forms | Statewide SCAO forms for Michigan probate filings. | Online form index. |
| Inventory fee calculator | Michigan Judiciary calculator for the inventory fee under MCL 600.871. | Online calculator. |
| Michigan Legal Help | Plain-language Michigan probate and small-estate information. | Online self-help resource. |
| Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Marquette office | Free civil legal help for eligible residents of Marquette, Alger, Dickinson and Iron Counties. | 2844 Venture Dr, Ste C, Marquette, MI 49855. (906) 228-5620. |
When to hire an attorney
Consider a Michigan probate attorney if the estate includes real property to sell, a dispute among heirs or devisees, creditor problems, unclear title, tax concerns, or a need for formal or supervised administration. Sunset connects families with a vetted attorney when legal counsel makes sense.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 financial institutions to help families identify accounts, balances, and potential estate assets before they choose an Iron County estate settlement path.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset uses the information you provide to assemble the Michigan probate forms and supporting checklist for the filing path you select.
Find a local probate attorney. If the estate needs legal advice, a home sale, formal probate, or help with a dispute, Sunset can connect you with a vetted Michigan probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset's estate settlement tools at no cost, with optional attorney support when the situation calls for it.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Iron County?
File Iron County probate papers with Iron County Probate Court at the Iron County Courthouse, 2 South Sixth Street, Suite 10, Crystal Falls, MI 49920. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Central time.
Is Iron County Probate Court on MiFILE?
No. Iron County Probate Court is not listed for MiFILE. The county's Trial Court page discusses MiFILE for the 95B District Court, but that is not the Probate Court.
Can I look up an Iron County probate case online?
No online probate case lookup is published for Iron County. Call the probate register at (906) 875-0659 for file questions.
Does Iron County have local probate forms?
No local probate cover sheet, checklist, or estate packet is published for Iron County. Use the statewide SCAO probate forms for estate filings.
How much does it cost to open probate in Iron County?
Opening a decedent estate costs $175.00 as of August 2026, made up of $150.00 as of August 2026 under MCL 600.880 and $25.00 as of August 2026 under MCL 600.1986. The estate also owes an inventory fee under MCL 600.871.
How much does an assignment of property cost in Iron County?
An assignment of property filing costs $25.00 as of August 2026 under MCL 600.880. The estate also owes the inventory fee under MCL 600.871.
Can I appear remotely for an Iron County probate hearing?
Iron County does not publish a standing probate videoconference link. Michigan court rules presume videoconferencing for uncontested decedent estate proceedings when allowed by the court, but the court can require an in-person hearing (MCR 5.140, MCR 2.407).
Do I have to travel to Crystal Falls to start probate?
Iron County Probate Court is the local filing court. If you live outside Iron County, call the probate register at (906) 875-0659 before sending papers so you know the current filing and payment instructions.
What time zone does Iron County Probate Court use?
Iron County Probate Court uses Central time. The published hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Central time.
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.