Overview
Saginaw County is located in Michigan with a population of approximately 187,714. The Saginaw County Probate Court handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the county at the time of death.
Michigan probate is governed by the Estates and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC). The process begins with filing a Application for Informal Probate (PC 558) or Petition for Formal Probate (PC 559) to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters Testamentary for testate estates or Letters of Administration for intestate estates.
For small estates, Michigan offers a simplified procedure known as the Petition and Order for Assignment (PC 556). As of 2026, this is available for estates valued at $53,000 or less (adjusted annually for inflation).
Michigan does not have a statutory attorney fee schedule; fees must be reasonable and are subject to court review. The Personal Representative is also entitled to reasonable compensation.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Saginaw County probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
Saginaw County Probate Court
Probate matters in Saginaw County are handled at the Saginaw County Courthouse.
Address: 111 S. Michigan Ave., Saginaw, MI 48602
Phone: (989) 790-5279
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:45 PM. Closed for lunch 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM. Filings accepted until 4:30 PM.
The Probate Court is located in the historic Saginaw County Governmental Center. The court handles decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health proceedings.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available in the lot adjacent to the courthouse and along surrounding streets (check for time limits). All visitors must pass through security screening upon entering the building.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Petition and Order for Assignment (Small Estate): If the estate is valued at $53,000 or less (2026 limit), you may file Form PC 556 to transfer assets without full administration.
- Transfer by Affidavit: For estates valued at $27,000 or less (indexed annually), a successor may present an affidavit (Form PC 598) to holders of personal property after 28 days.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal probate is needed, file an Application for Informal Probate (PC 558) or Petition for Formal Probate (PC 559) with the Saginaw County Probate Court. Include:
- Original Will and Codicils (if any)
- Certified copy of the Death Certificate
- Testimony to Identify Heirs (PC 565)
- Filing fee ($175)
- Supplemental Personal Representative Information (PC 616)
Saginaw County participates in MiFILE, the state's electronic filing system.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice of the hearing (for formal probate) or notice of appointment (for informal probate) to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties.
- Publish notice to creditors in a newspaper of general circulation in Saginaw County (e.g., The Saginaw News) if the identity of creditors is unknown.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
For formal probate, the court will schedule a hearing on the petition. At the hearing, the judge reviews the petition and, if approved, issues Letters of Authority. For informal probate, the register may issue Letters without a hearing if the application is complete.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Publish notice to creditors (if not already done) and allow 4 months for claims.
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 91 days of appointment.
- Pay valid creditor claims and estate expenses.
- File federal and state tax returns as needed.
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries.
- File a Notice of Continued Administration if the estate is open longer than one year, or a Sworn Statement to Close Unsupervised Administration when finished.
Local Requirements
Saginaw County-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: Saginaw County uses the MiFILE (TrueFiling) system for electronic filing.
- Inventory Fee: A statutory inventory fee based on the value of the estate must be paid before the estate can be closed.
- Publication: Notice to creditors must be published in a newspaper of general circulation within Saginaw County, such as The Saginaw News.
- Security: Cell phones may be restricted or require silencing within the courtrooms; check current security protocols before visiting.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Saginaw County)
- Petition for Probate (Commencement Fee): $175
- Electronic Filing System Fee: $25 (if applicable via MiFILE)
- Certified copies of Letters: $10 for certification + $1 per page
- Inventory Fee: Varies based on estate value (e.g., $138 for a $50k estate; calculated by statute)
- Publication costs: Approximately $100-$150 depending on the newspaper
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards (a service fee applies to card payments).
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (Informal): 5-7 months (minimum 5 months due to creditor period)
- Average estates: 9-12 months
- Complex or contested estates: 12 months to 2 years
Factors affecting the timeline include the sale of real estate, creditor disputes, and tax processing times.
Local Resources
Saginaw County Court Resources
- Court Website: Saginaw County Probate Court
- Probate Self-Help: Michigan Legal Help
- State Probate Forms: SCAO Forms
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Saginaw County Bar Association: (989) 790-5285 — Lawyer Referral Service
- Legal Services of Eastern Michigan: (800) 322-4512 — Legal Aid
- State Bar of Michigan: Lawyer Referral
Publication
- The Saginaw News (MLive): (989) 752-7171 — General circulation
- Saginaw County Legal News: Legal notices