Frequently Asked Questions

In accordance with MCL 700.3951 and MCR 5.144, the Muskegon County Probate Court may administratively close a probate file. The Muskegon County Probate Court has implemented the following procedures to reopen an administratively closed file:

• To reopen an administratively closed decedent’s estate, the fiduciary or any interested person must file an Application/Petition to Reopen Estate PC607, and pay the filing fee of $150. If the former fiduciary is reappointed, they may be ordered to file any missing documents (e.g. Account, Inventory, Notice of Continued Administration).
• To reopen an administratively closed guardianship or conservatorship case, the fiduciary or any interested person must file a new Petition to Appoint Guardian or Petition to Appoint Conservator, and pay the filing fee of $150. If the former Guardian or Conservator is reappointed, they may be ordered to file any missing documents (e.g. Annual Report on Condition of Ward, Account).

MCR 5.125(A)(1) requires that the Michigan Attorney General must be served in specific probate proceedings when the decedent is not survived by any known heirs, or the protected individual has no known presumptive heirs. These notices should be sent to the following address:
Brenda Turner - Assistant Attorney General
State Public Administrator
P.O. Box 30736
Lansing, MI 48909

A probate estate must be opened to obtain the medical records of a deceased person.

A formal Petition for Probate and / or Appointment of Personal Representative (PC 559 (PDF)) must be filed and include a request that a special personal representative be appointed. A Muskegon County Probate Court will not appoint a special personal representative on an informal application.

For additional information, view the Decedent Estates page.

If You Think Your Own Will May Be on File, the Court Will Check Its Records After You Present Photo Identification.  If You Are Unable to Come to Court, Your Lawyer May Present Form PC 548, Authorization to Release Will Held for Safekeeping.

If You Are Looking for a Will Held for Safekeeping for a Deceased Person, You Must Present a Death Certificate.

Wills not admitted to a probate estate:

• The Court will check to see if a will has been filed for safekeeping when a death certificate is presented to the Court.

Wills admitted to a probate estate:

• If a will was admitted to a probate estate with the Muskegon County Probate Court, and you would like to obtain a copy of the will, please call 231-724-6241 to make arrangements. The fees are as follows:
  • Standard Copy $1 per page
  • Certified Copy $1 per page plus $10 certification fee, per document

The Court accepts in-state checks, certified checks, and money orders. The Court does not accept credit cards or out of state checks.

View information online to find out if you need an EIN.

Visit the IRS website to apply. Please note that this is through the IRS, not Probate Court.