Overview
St. Clair County is located in Michigan with a population of approximately 160,308. The St. Clair 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 Petition for Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative (Form PC 559 or PC 558) to admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters of Authority for testate estates or Letters of Authority for intestate estates.
Michigan offers simplified procedures for small estates. For decedents dying in 2026, if the estate is valued at $53,000 or less (adjusted annually for inflation), you may qualify for a simplified small estate assignment. There is also a procedure for transferring vehicles and watercraft outside of probate if the total value of the vehicles is less than $60,000.
Michigan does not have a statutory fee schedule for attorneys or personal representatives based on a percentage of the estate. Instead, fees must be "reasonable" based on the time spent, the complexity of the work, and the results achieved.
This guide provides an informational overview of the St. Clair 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
St. Clair County Probate Court
Probate matters in St. Clair County are handled at the St. Clair County Courthouse.
Address: 201 McMorran Blvd, Room 2700, Port Huron, MI 48060
Phone: (810) 985-2066 (Probate Court)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The Probate Court is located on the second floor of the county courthouse in downtown Port Huron.
Parking and Access
Metered street parking is available around the courthouse building. There are also municipal parking lots located nearby. The building is accessible to the public, but be prepared for security screening upon entry.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Small Estate Petition and Order: If the estate is valued at $53,000 or less (2026 limit), you may file a Petition and Order for Assignment (Form PC 556).
- Transfer by Affidavit: For estates valued at $27,000 or less (subject to inflation adjustment), you may be able to use a sworn statement to collect assets 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 a Petition for Probate (Form PC 559) or Application for Informal Probate (Form PC 558) with the St. Clair County Probate Court. Include:
- Petition or Application (signed)
- Original will and codicils (if any)
- Certified death certificate
- Filing fee ($175 plus $25 electronic system fee if applicable)
- Testimony to Identify Heirs (Form PC 565)
St. Clair County utilizes an Electronic Fax Filing system for certain documents. Check with the court clerk for specific e-filing requirements.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice of the hearing (for formal probate) to all heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties at least 14 days before the hearing.
- Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in St. Clair County (such as the Port Huron Times Herald) for unknown creditors. The publication must run for one day, and creditors have 4 months to file claims.
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. Informal probate typically does not require a hearing before a judge if the paperwork is in order.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Notify creditors and pay valid claims
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within 91 days of appointment (Form PC 577)
- Pay an Inventory Fee to the court based on the estate's value
- 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
St. Clair County-Specific Procedures
- Electronic Fax Filing: The 31st Circuit Court (including Probate) offers an Electronic Fax Filing service. A processing fee (typically $10 + 3.2%) applies.
- Inventory Fee: Michigan law requires an inventory fee to be paid to the probate court. This fee is calculated based on the value of the estate assets.
- Publication: Notice to creditors is typically published in the Port Huron Times Herald.
- Case Access: Case records can often be searched online through the St. Clair County court records system.
Always check the latest Local Administrative Orders (LAOs) on the St. Clair County Courts website for the most up-to-date procedural rules.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (St. Clair County)
- Petition/Application for Probate: approximately $175
- Small Estate Petition: approximately $25 plus inventory fee
- Certified copies of Letters: approximately $10 plus $1 per page
- Publication costs: approximately $100-$200 depending on the newspaper
- Inventory Fee: Varies based on estate value (e.g., ~$188 for a $100k estate)
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards (subject to a convenience fee).
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (informal, no disputes): 5-7 months
- Average estates: 7-12 months
- Complex or contested estates: 12 months to 2 years
The creditor claim period in Michigan is 4 months from the date of publication, which sets a minimum timeline for closing an estate.
Local Resources
St. Clair County Court Resources
- Court Website: stclaircounty.org
- Probate Self-Help: Michigan Legal Help
- State Probate Forms: SCAO Forms
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- St. Clair County Bar Association: (810) 985-2000 — Local bar resources
- Lakeshore Legal Aid: (888) 783-8190 — Legal assistance for low-income residents
- State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral: michbar.org
Publication
- Port Huron Times Herald: (810) 985-7171 — General circulation newspaper
- The Daily Reporter: (517) 278-2318 — Legal notices