Estate Planning & Probate in Berrien County, Michigan

Most Berrien County estate questions come down to one fork: avoid probate before a death, or work through it after one. This page points you to the right path—planning ahead, or settling an estate at the Probate Court.

Someone died — settling an estate

Filing probate at the Probate Court, what it costs, transferring property, and local attorneys.

What to do when someone dies in Berrien County→

The Probate Process in Berrien County

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Berrien County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 811 Port Street, 4th Floor, St. Joseph.

Full Berrien Countyprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →

Probate Court Record

Probate Court

Berrien County

Address

811 Port Street, 4th FloorSt. Joseph, MI 49085

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Paper filing availableE-filing optionalSelf-filing allowed
How to file probate in Berrien County→

Recording Deeds & Property Documents

Recording Office Record

Register of Deeds

Berrien County · Register of Deeds · Lora L. Freehling

Address

701 Main Street, 3rd FloorSt. Joseph, MI 49085

Fax

(269) 982-8659

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm (recording until 4:30pm; public terminals until 4:45pm)

E-recording

Available via CSC, ePN, Indecomm, Simplifile
Visit recorder website →

$30 flat, regardless of page count.

Full recording details →
Open in Google Maps

Verified September 6, 2026 · Source

Michigan Estate Planning Articles

Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Berrien County.

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