About the Chippewa County Probate Court

 

The Chippewa County Probate Court has records dating back to 1828. The first Judge of Probate in Chippewa County was Honorable Francis Audrain. In 1828, the State of Michigan was considered the Northwest Territory and became a State on January 26, 1837.

 

Probate Court has jurisdiction and handles various types of cases, including:

• Decedent's estates

• Small estates

• Mentally ill matters

• Guardianships and/or conservatorships of both children and adults

• Protective orders

• Limited guardianships of both children and adults

• Guardianships for developmentally disabled individuals

• Names changes

• Will deposit for decedent or deposit for safekeeping

• Applications to open safe deposit boxes

• Safe delivery of newborn

• Administration of Trusts

• Condemnation and drain cases

 

Attorneys and Probate Court

 

While there is no legal requirement that people use an attorney for probate proceedings, it is highly recommended. Probate proceedings of all types can be complex and difficult to understand.