Probate Court


NOTICE: Effective September 9, 2022, the following hearings are presumed to be conducted via Zoom unless: 1) a participant requests to physically appear in person; or 2) a participant is found to be unable to adequately use the technology; or 3) the court determines that the use of videoconferencing is inappropriate:

  • Uncontested guardianships and/or conservatorships
  • Uncontested estates
PLEASE NOTE: Probate Court requires the current State Court approved forms to be filed. Forms change frequently without notice. Please use the links provided throughout the website that take you directly to the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) to ensure you have the most recent form.
Failure to file the current version of a SCAO approved form may result in the court refusing your filing and delays in processing.

Duties & Responsibilities

The primary areas over which the Probate Court has jurisdiction are:
  • Trust proceedings
  • Matters relating to the estate of a deceased person
  • Guardianships and conservatorships
  • Persons found to be mentally ill or developmentally disabled
  • Condemnation and drain cases
  • Juvenile delinquent cases
  • Dependent and Neglect cases
  • Adoptions
  • Name changes
  • Secret Marriages
  • Emancipation
  • Filing of wills and Codicils for safekeeping
  • Acknowledgements of Paternity
  • Recall petitions and hearings for such matters as school board members, township officials
  • Clinton County Youth Home and the Child Care Fund