Okemos estate planning and elder law office of attorney Tara Peterson, meeting clients from Ingham, Clinton, Eaton and six other mid-Michigan counties in person or by Zoom. Handles estate administration in and out of probate court, including formal and informal probate and trust administration. Also plans for Medicaid and VA benefits when a family faces long-term care costs.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Clinton County, Michigan
How probate works in Clinton County: the Probate Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Clinton County Probate Court
Clinton County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Office
100 East State Street, Suite 4300, St. Johns, MI 48879
Website
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe court refuses filings on outdated SCAO forms, so use the current version through the links on its estates pages.
Accepted payment
- At the counterCash, Check, Credit card, Debit card.Checks are payable to "Clinton County Probate Court." Fees can also be paid through the court's online payment page.
Fax
1-989-224-5102
About the court
- The office may close over the lunch hour when staff is short, so call ahead to confirm someone can help.
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Clinton 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 Clinton County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 100 East State Street, Suite 4300, St. Johns.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Michigan intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Michigan estates take 7 months to 12 months to move through this process. Creditors have 4 monthsMCL 700.3801, 700.3803, 700.3804, 700.3805, 700.3806; MCR 5.208, MCR 5.106Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Clinton County
What probate costs in Clinton County, Michigan comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Probate Court at 100 East State Street, Suite 4300, St. Johns.
Michigan charges $175MCL §§ 600.880(1), 600.1986(1)(a)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Michigan are negotiated, typically 1.7%Modeled estimate under MCR 5.313(A) (attorney entitled to reasonable compensation; MRPC 1.5(a) factors); MCL 700.3721 (court reviews reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.7%Modeled estimate under MCR 5.313(A) (attorney entitled to reasonable compensation; MRPC 1.5(a) factors); MCL 700.3721 (court reviews reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Michigan allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules payMCL 700.3719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Michigan requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
Probate in Michigan typically runs 7 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the Probate Court
Probate cases in Clinton County are filed at the Probate Court. File in person during business hours or by mail.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
In Michigan, informal probate is availableMCL 700.3302Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Clinton County Self-Filing Assessment.
Clinton County Filing Requirements
These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.
Document Requirements
Disclose any use of artificial intelligence
Attorneys and self-represented parties must disclose any use of artificial intelligence in their filings and check that every citation is accurate.
SourceCourt Appearances
Uncontested estates heard by Zoom
Uncontested estates, uncontested guardianships and conservatorships, and scheduling conferences are held by Zoom unless a participant asks to appear in person, cannot use the technology, or the court finds video inappropriate. Any other Zoom appearance must be approved in advance.
SourceWhat to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the Probate Court: TWO copies of the death certificate (or of alternative documentation of death if no certificate), one of them redacted of protected personal identifying information (MCR 5.302(A)(1); MCL 700.3301, 700.3402); Original will and any codicils, if testate (MCL 700.3301(1)(b)(i), 700.3402(1)(c); MCR 5.302(A)(3)); Testimony to Identify Heirs (PC 565) — mandatory with the commencing application or petition (MCR 5.302(B))MCL 700.3301-700.3311 (informal); MCL 700.3401-700.3414 (formal); MCL 700.3103, 700.3601 (letters)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Medical Examiner in Clinton County
In Michigan a death is registered locally, and in Clinton County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by County Clerk's Office, Clinton County as well as by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
County Clerk
Clinton County · County Clerk's Office
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Office
100 East State Street, Suite 2600, St. Johns, MI 48879
Website
Fax
1-989-224-5102
Local rule
- Death records are held from 1867 for deaths in Clinton County. The office asks visitors to arrive by 4:30 p.m.
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $15 |
| Each additional copy ordered at the same time | $5 |
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
Medical Examiner
Clinton County · Clinton County Medical Examiner
Phone
Office
1322 East Michigan Avenue, Suite 118, Lansing, MI 48912
Website
Serves this county
UM Health-Sparrow Forensic Pathology
Mail and offices
1215 East Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48912
Fax
1-855-300-7312
Verified November 2, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Clinton County
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Register of Deeds.
Deeds and other real property documents for Clinton County are recorded with the Register of Deeds at 100 East State Street, Suite 2500, St. Johns, MI 48879. Phone: 1-989-224-5270. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM.
The Register of Deeds charges $30 flat, regardless of page count.
Clinton County accepts electronic recording through ePN, CSC, Simplifile and Indecomm.
Recording Office Record
Register of Deeds
Clinton County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Office
100 East State Street, Suite 2500, St. Johns, MI 48879
Website
Fees
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $30 |
MCL 600.2567(1)(a); MCL 600.2567a
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Forms that put a death on the title
- Free forms: Affidavit of Death Form · Affidavit of Heirship Form
Probate Attorneys Serving Clinton County
Michigan allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Clinton County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Michigan are based on reasonable compensation, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Clinton County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Probate Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Okemos office of attorney Daniel Benson, working most often in the Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, Livingston and Shiawassee probate courts. Takes personal representatives through probate, from inventory and creditor notice to distribution, and litigates will contests, trust disputes and fiduciary removal. Planning consultations are free; probate consultations carry a flat fee quoted in writing.
East Lansing firm with a second office in Mt. Pleasant, practicing in the probate courts of Ingham, Clinton, Eaton, Isabella and other mid-Michigan counties. Represents personal representatives, trustees and beneficiaries in probate and trust administration, from marshalling assets to notice to creditors and estate taxes. Also litigates will contests, trust disputes and undue influence claims.
East Lansing practice of attorney Nick Leydorf serving Okemos, DeWitt, Grand Ledge and Williamston. Guides families through Michigan small-estate, informal, formal and supervised probate, filing the petitions and assisting personal representatives. Elder law work includes Medicaid crisis planning, special needs planning, guardianships and conservatorships.
Detroit firm, in practice since 1854, with estate offices in Detroit, Troy, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Grand Rapids and southwest Michigan. Represents personal representatives, trustees and beneficiaries in estate, trust, guardianship and conservatorship administration, will contests, trust litigation, fiduciary tax returns and estate tax audits, including estates over $100 million.
Brighton estate-planning and elder-law practice with meeting offices in Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Okemos, Livonia and Novi, plus virtual meetings. Prepares wills and trusts meant to keep an estate out of probate and plans for Medicaid and nursing-home costs. Founder Christopher J. Berry is one of 18 Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA) in Michigan.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Legal Sources
(9)·
- MCL §§ 600.880(1), 600.1986(1)(a)
- MCL 700.3301-700.3311 (informal); MCL 700.3401-700.3414 (formal); MCL 700.3103, 700.3601 (letters)
- MCL 700.3302
- MCL 700.3719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- MCL 700.3801, 700.3803, 700.3804, 700.3805, 700.3806; MCR 5.208, MCR 5.106
- MCL 600.2567(1)(a); MCL 600.2567a
- Clinton County Probate Court, official page
- Clinton County Register of Deeds, official page
- Clinton County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from Michigan statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Michigan
Free tools for settling an estate in Michigan: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Michigan.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Michigan: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 91 daysMCL 700.3706, 700.3707, 700.3708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsMCL 700.3801, 700.3803, 700.3804, 700.3805, 700.3806; MCR 5.208, MCR 5.106Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 5 months to 7 months.
See the Steps
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Michigan happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeMCL 700.7101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 63 daysMCL 700.7814, 700.7905; MCL 700.7109Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
In Michigan, informal probate is availableMCL 700.3302Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, and a self-represented executor can usually handle it for a simple, uncontested estate.
Get the Answer
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