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Macomb County, MI Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Macomb County detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Macomb County Probate Court |
| Courthouse address | 40 North Main Street, 5th Floor, Mount Clemens, MI 48043 |
| Mailing address | Same as courthouse address. Mail estate filings to the Probate Court at 40 North Main Street, 5th Floor, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. |
| Phone | (586) 469-5290 |
| Fax | No filing fax. For hearings, the court lists 586-783-0929 only for proofs of service and proposed orders due before the hearing. |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The counter is closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Filing cutoff | Filings are not accepted after 4:00 p.m. Emergency filings must be filed in person by 3:00 p.m. |
| Opening cost | 2026 statewide opening charge: $175.00 (MCL 600.880; MCL 600.1986), plus the inventory fee (MCL 600.871). Macomb's 2025 opening handout asks for $187 with one letters of authority copy calculated under MCL 600.2546, plus the inventory fee. |
| Assignment of property cost | 2026 statewide charge: $25.00 (MCL 600.880(2)), plus the inventory fee (MCL 600.871). |
| Local forms | Yes. Macomb requires its own PC 562A Notice of Hearing when a filing requests or requires a hearing, and it publishes PC 682A for a proposed order approving sale of estate real property. |
| E-filing status | Macomb County Probate Court is not on MiFILE. Estate filings are accepted in person or by U.S. mail only, not by email or fax. |
| Case lookup | Macomb courts eAccess at https://courtpa.macombgov.org/eservices searches the Probate Court party name index and shows docket information, not document images. |
| Remote appearance | The court uses Zoom in some matters. The Notice of Hearing states whether your hearing is in person or on Zoom, and litigants may choose to appear in person. |
| Website | https://www.macombgov.org/departments/probate-court |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a Macomb filing path, identify what the decedent owned, how each asset was titled, whether there are debts, and whether real estate must be sold. That first inventory drives estate settlement because Macomb will not accept an inventory or account unless each value has supporting documentation.
Sunset's asset discovery searches more than 2,300 financial institutions to help families find accounts, policies and property before they prepare the probate packet. In Macomb County, that can also help you gather the bank statements, appraisals and date-of-death values the court expects.
Which court handles jurisdiction
The Macomb County Probate Court in Mount Clemens serves all of Macomb County. There is no separate probate counter for Warren, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, Mount Clemens, St. Clair Shores, Roseville, Eastpointe, Shelby Township, Macomb Township, New Baltimore, Romeo, Armada or the county's other communities.
Venue for the first probate filing is the county where the decedent was domiciled at death, or, if the decedent was not domiciled in Michigan, a county where the decedent left property (MCL 700.3201). Macomb's small estate instructions use the same rule: the decedent must have been a Macomb County resident, or a nonresident of Michigan who left property in Macomb County.
The jurisdiction process
- Choose the local Macomb packet that matches the statewide path. For an informal estate, Macomb's handout starts with PC 558. For a formal estate, it starts with PC 559. If a hearing is requested or required, use Macomb PC 562A for the Notice of Hearing.
- Prepare the intake documents Macomb asks for. To open a decedent estate, the court's filer information asks for two copies of the death certificate, one redacted and one unredacted. If there is a will and it contains protected personal identifying information, prepare a redacted copy as well as the original unredacted will (MCR 5.302).
- File at the Macomb County Probate Court counter or by U.S. mail. The counter is on the 5th floor at 40 North Main Street in Mount Clemens. The court does not accept estate filings by email or fax.
- Pay the opening charge with the filing. For 2026, opening a decedent estate carries the statewide $175.00 charge (MCL 600.880; MCL 600.1986), plus the inventory fee later due under MCL 600.871. Macomb's 2025 handout asks for $187 at opening when one letters of authority copy is included, plus the inventory fee.
- Watch the local filing cutoffs. The office is open until 4:30 p.m., but filings are not accepted after 4:00 p.m. Emergency filings must be filed in person by 3:00 p.m. or they are processed the next day.
- If a hearing is set, use the Notice of Hearing for the format and access instructions. Macomb PC 562A tells you whether the hearing is in person or on Zoom and supplies the hearing date, time and meeting information when Zoom is used.
- Serve the required papers and send the proof of service and proposed order back to the court at least 14 days before the hearing. Macomb warns that missing the proof of service or proposed order can cause the matter to be adjourned or dismissed.
- After appointment, use letters of authority as the personal representative's authority document. In Macomb, letters involving estate real property are restricted against sale or conveyance without court approval, so selling a house requires a petition for approval of sale of real estate and Macomb's proposed order form PC 682A.
- Administer the estate with Macomb's documentation rule in mind. Inventories and accounts must include support for all values, including bank statements, appraisals, tax information, receipts or other proof the court identifies.
- Close the estate through the appropriate statewide closing form after administration is complete. If a petition, motion or final account needs a hearing, use Macomb PC 562A and follow the 14-day proof-of-service and proposed-order rule.
Executor duties
Macomb's local addition to the statewide personal representative duty set is documentation. The court has ordered that every inventory and every account include supporting documentation for all values shown, and it says the inventory or account will not be accepted without that support.
For real estate, Macomb requires the legal description on the inventory. A street address or parcel number alone is not enough. The court accepts value support such as double the state equalized value with the tax bill, a written appraisal, or a seller's statement if the property sold within one year of death.
For personal property and business interests, Macomb asks for practical proof of value, such as bank statements, brokerage statements, appraisals, printed internet valuations for vehicles or other valuable items, receipts, spreadsheets for income and expenses, and written verification for closely held business interests.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Macomb County
Michigan uses statewide SCAO probate forms, and Macomb's estate pages link those forms with local packet instructions. The court's decedent-estate handout says to use the most current form version and says the court cannot accept outdated forms or forms you drafted yourself.
| Form | Macomb County use |
|---|---|
| PC 558 | Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative. Macomb lists it first for an informal estate packet. |
| PC 559 | Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative. Macomb lists it for formal proceedings and supervised administration requests. |
| PC 562A | Macomb County Probate Court Notice of Hearing. The court requires this local notice form when a filing requests or requires a hearing. |
| PC 565 and PC 566 | Interested-person testimony forms in Macomb's opening packets. PC 566 is used when applicable in a testate estate. |
| PC 571 | Acceptance of Appointment, used before letters of authority issue to the personal representative. |
| PC 572 | Letters of Authority for Personal Representative, the Michigan authority document. |
| PC 574 | Notice to Creditors, Decedent's Estate, when applicable. |
| PC 577 | Inventory. In Macomb, file it with supporting documentation for every value. |
| PC 556 | Petition and Order for Assignment, used for assignment of property under MCL 700.3982. |
| PC 556A | Petition and Order for Discovery. Macomb says to file this before PC 556 if you cannot get documentation showing a bank account balance. |
| PC 681 and Macomb PC 682A | Used when estate real property must be sold and Macomb's restricted letters of authority require court approval of the sale. |
| MC 97 and MC 97a | Protected personal identifying information forms. Macomb's opening packet includes them. |
Timeline
- Before you go to the counter, account for the lunch closure. Macomb's probate counter is closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. each court day.
- File ordinary estate papers before 4:00 p.m. The court is open later, but filings are not accepted after 4:00 p.m.
- File emergency papers in person before 3:00 p.m. Emergency filings after 3:00 p.m. are processed the next day.
- If your matter has a hearing, send the proof of service and proposed order to the court at least 14 days before the hearing. Missing either item may cause an adjournment or dismissal.
- If the Notice of Hearing is marked no appearance allowed, written objections must arrive 3 business days before the hearing date. A 2026 objection filing charge is $20.00 (MCL 600.880b).
- For a probate case lookup or copy request, the court says staff process requests within 48 hours, with any required payment due before materials are sent.
Local nuance
Macomb County-specific considerations
| Local point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Paper and mail only | Macomb County Probate Court is not on MiFILE. Estate filings go over the counter or by U.S. mail only, and the court does not accept filings by email or fax. |
| Lunch closure and filing cutoff | The counter closes from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and stops accepting filings after 4:00 p.m. Emergency filings must be in person by 3:00 p.m. |
| Macomb PC 562A | The court requires its own Notice of Hearing when a filing requests or requires a hearing. The form tells you whether the hearing is in person or on Zoom. |
| Fourteen-day hearing packet rule | Proof of service and the proposed order must reach the court at least 14 days before the hearing, or the matter may be adjourned or dismissed. |
| Restricted real estate authority | Macomb's opening handout says all letters of authority restrict sale or conveyance of real estate without court approval. A house sale usually needs PC 681 and local proposed order PC 682A. |
| Inventory support | Inventories and accounts must include documentation for every value. Real estate must include the legal description, not only a street address or parcel number. |
| Case lookup limits | Macomb eAccess covers probate cases and shows docket information, parties, hearings and financial information, but it does not show document images. |
Small-estate Alternatives
Macomb publishes local instructions for assignment of property under MCL 700.3982. The statewide 2026 dollar limit for assignment of property and transfer by affidavit is $53,000 for a 2026 death (MCL 700.3982, 700.3983), but Macomb's local sheet is most useful for the documents it asks you to attach.
For a Macomb assignment petition, attach proof about funeral and burial expenses. The court asks for a paid statement with a receipt, cancelled check or other proof showing who paid, or an unpaid funeral invoice if it has not been paid.
Macomb also asks for documentation of each asset's date-of-death value. For bank accounts, that means a statement showing the bank name, account numbers and balance. For real estate, the court asks for the complete legal description and parcel or tax identification number, plus tax or assessor information showing the state equalized value for the year of death.
If you cannot get bank documentation before filing PC 556, Macomb instructs you to file PC 556A, Petition and Order for Discovery, first. The court says PC 556A must be filed before the Petition for Assignment, not with it.
Recent updates
| Date | Macomb County probate update |
|---|---|
| June 3, 2026 | The court issued local administrative order 2026-03, setting out probate register authority in uncontested matters, including decedent estates and small-estate assignments. An interested person may still ask that a matter go before the judge. |
| May 1, 2025 | The court posted the current Macomb PC 562A Notice of Hearing form, with a form revision date of March 25, 2025. |
| April 30, 2025 | The court reissued its virtual hearing instructions and its small estates and petition for assignment instructions. |
Page last reviewed: August 2026.
Scenarios
| Situation | Local path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Start by separating assets that pass outside probate from assets that need Macomb Probate Court authority. If letters of authority are needed and the home must be sold through the estate, Macomb's letters restrict sale or conveyance of real estate without court approval, so a sale requires PC 681 and local proposed order PC 682A. | Sunset helps identify accounts, title clues and home-sale issues before the packet is prepared, so the estate settlement plan matches what actually needs court authority. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | If the estate qualifies for assignment of property, file PC 556 by mail or in person with the Macomb attachments for funeral expenses and date-of-death asset values. If bank documentation is unavailable, Macomb says to file PC 556A before PC 556. If the transfer by affidavit path is used instead, PC 598 is presented to the asset holder and is not filed with the court. | Sunset can assemble the asset list, help generate the right Michigan forms and connect the child with a Macomb attorney if local filing or objections become difficult. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | Open the estate in Macomb if venue belongs there, then expect restricted letters of authority for real estate. The sale needs court approval, including the statewide petition and Macomb's local proposed order approving sale. Inventory support must include the legal description and value documentation. | Sunset helps organize property information, locate accounts and prepare a probate packet that accounts for the Macomb real estate approval step. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Macomb County Probate Court | Court hours, filing cutoffs, fee page, local forms, decedent-estate packets, small-estate instructions and inventory documentation rules. | https://www.macombgov.org/departments/probate-court |
| Macomb County Probate Court decedent estates | Opening-estate handout, personal representative responsibilities, inventory instructions and small-estate instructions. | https://www.macombgov.org/departments/probate-court/decedent-estates |
| Macomb courts eAccess | Public probate case lookup by case number, name or company name. It shows docket information but not document images. | https://courtpa.macombgov.org/eservices |
| Self-Help Center of Macomb County | Located in the same building at 40 North Main Street, 3rd Floor, Room 360, Mount Clemens. Staff can help visitors find legal information, forms and instructions, but cannot give legal advice. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | https://www.macombgov.org/self-help-center |
| Michigan inventory fee calculator | Michigan Judiciary calculator for the inventory fee due under MCL 600.871. | https://www.courts.michigan.gov/courts/trial-courts/inventory-calculator/ |
| SCAO estates, trusts and miscellaneous probate forms | Statewide Michigan PC forms used in probate proceedings. | https://www.courts.michigan.gov/SCAO-forms/Estates-Trusts/ |
| Michigan Legal Help | Plain-language Michigan probate articles and guided tools, including small-estate and informal probate information. | https://michiganlegalhelp.org/ |
| Legal Aid and Defender Association | Free civil legal help for eligible residents in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Ask whether probate estate administration is a matter they take. | https://ladadetroit.org/ |
| Lakeshore Legal Aid | Regional civil legal aid with a Macomb litigation office in Mount Clemens. Ask whether probate estate administration is a matter they take. | https://lakeshorelegalaid.org/about-us/ |
| Michigan Trial Court Directory | State Judiciary directory for cross-checking the Macomb County Probate Court address and phone. | https://www.courts.michigan.gov/trial-court-directory/ |
When to hire an attorney
You are not required to hire an attorney just because an estate is in Macomb County Probate Court, but counsel makes sense when real estate must be sold, a will contest or creditor dispute is likely, an out-of-state personal representative cannot manage paper filings easily, or the inventory and account documentation is complicated. The court can answer filing questions, but it cannot complete forms or give legal advice. Sunset connects to a vetted attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions and helps families build the asset picture before they choose a Macomb County probate path. That matters in estate settlement because the court expects date-of-death values and support for inventory numbers.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset helps turn the asset list, family information and court path into the Michigan probate forms you need, with Macomb County details such as PC 562A for hearings and the paper filing channel.
Find a local probate attorney. If a home must be sold, letters of authority are restricted, objections appear or you are managing the estate from outside Michigan, Sunset can connect you with a probate attorney familiar with Macomb County practice.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset's estate settlement tools help organize the work, prepare documents and identify next steps without charging families for access.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate papers in Macomb County?
File at the Macomb County Probate Court, 40 North Main Street, 5th Floor, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. Estate filings are accepted at the counter or by U.S. mail.
Can I e-file a Macomb County probate case?
No. Macomb County Probate Court is not on MiFILE. The court says pleadings may not be filed by email and that filings are accepted in person or by U.S. mail only.
Can I file by email or fax in Macomb County Probate Court?
No. The court says filings are not accepted by email or fax. The fax number the court publishes is only for sending proof of service and a proposed order before a hearing.
What time does the Macomb probate counter stop taking filings?
The counter is open until 4:30 p.m., but filings are not accepted after 4:00 p.m. Emergency filings must be filed in person by 3:00 p.m.
Does Macomb County Probate Court use Zoom?
Yes, for some hearings. The Notice of Hearing tells you whether your matter is in person or on Zoom and gives the access information if Zoom is used. The court also says litigants may always choose to appear in person.
How do I look up a Macomb County probate case?
Use Macomb courts eAccess at https://courtpa.macombgov.org/eservices. The Probate Court's party name index can show case number, judge, hearings, docket entries and financial information, but it does not show document images.
Does Macomb County have local probate forms?
Yes. Michigan's SCAO forms are still the core estate forms, but Macomb requires its own PC 562A Notice of Hearing when a filing requests or requires a hearing. Macomb also publishes PC 682A for a proposed order approving sale of estate real property.
How much does it cost to open an estate in Macomb County?
For 2026, the statewide opening charge is $175.00 (MCL 600.880; MCL 600.1986), plus the inventory fee under MCL 600.871. Macomb's 2025 opening handout asks for $187 when one letters of authority copy is included, plus the inventory fee.
Do I have to travel to Mount Clemens if I live out of state?
Not always. Macomb accepts estate filings by U.S. mail, and some hearings may be set for Zoom. But the court does not accept filings by email or fax, and the Notice of Hearing controls whether a particular hearing is in person or remote.
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.