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Oakland County, Michigan · Pontiac courthouse · October 2026
Find Oakland County probate cases, request court records, prepare estate or guardianship forms, use Michigan’s MiFILE system and check the court’s current filing costs. This guide links directly to the official court services and explains which one to use.
Independent guide: ProbateCourtUSA.org is not Oakland County Probate Court or a Michigan government agency. Court searches, filings, orders and payments take place through official systems.
- Courthouse
- 1200 N. Telegraph Rd
Dept 457
Pontiac, MI 48341 - Main phone
- 248-858-0260
- Published hours
- Monday–Friday
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. - Filing platform
- MiFILE
Most filings electronic
Which Oakland County Probate Court service do you need?
Oakland County provides separate online services for finding probate cases, purchasing documents and submitting filings. Select the correct service before entering payment information or preparing a form.
Find a case by name, review available case information and identify its number.
Use Probate Access →Purchase an available probate order, Letters of Authority or other public document.
Use Court Explorer →Review informal probate, formal probate and small-estate assignment procedures.
Choose an estate process →Create a MiFILE account, upload documents and track submissions.
Read e-filing steps →Find adult and minor guardianship guidance, fees and forms.
Review guardianship →Find the address, contact information, directions and visitor reminders.
Plan a court visit →Major 2026 filing clarification: Oakland County began requiring MiFILE for most probate filings on June 12, 2025. Its newer homepage announcement specifically requires Petition and Order for Assignment (PC 556) filings through MiFILE. Older instructions may still describe PC 556 as a paper-filing exception. Follow the newer electronic-filing announcement when submitting this form.
How to search Oakland County probate court records
Oakland County’s official Probate Access service provides a free name-based case search. The system covers available Probate Court case types, but does not show nonpublic information and cannot be used to purchase documents.
- Open the official Probate Access page. Review the court’s terms and access the name-search service.
- Search the relevant person’s name. For a decedent’s estate, try the person’s full legal name. For another case type, use the appropriate party name.
- Check identifying details. Verify the case type, number and available register information. Identical or similar names can produce misleading matches.
- Save the case number. You will normally need it for probate document orders through Court Explorer.
- Choose a follow-up service. Use Court Explorer for available copies, MiFILE for court submissions or the Probate Court office for procedural questions.
What information does Probate Access provide?
It can identify available current and historical case information and general case status. The court warns that entries can be delayed and that online information is not the official court record. Nonpublic materials do not appear.
Can you download probate documents here? No. Oakland County expressly states that documents cannot be viewed or ordered through the Probate Access search. For copies, use the separate Court Explorer service or another procedure authorized by the court.
Why is a probate case missing?
Try name variations, confirm Oakland County is the correct county, and review the type of proceeding. A case may be restricted or not yet updated in the public system. The county has also warned that security updates can cause intermittent search outages.
If a decedent lived elsewhere in Michigan, the estate may belong in another county. For general background, consult the ProbateCourtUSA.org court directory and verify the responsible court before filing.
How to obtain certified probate copies and Letters of Authority
Court Explorer is Oakland County’s official document-ordering system for eligible court records. For probate copy ordering, use the case number found through Probate Access.
Court Explorer’s probate records service is different from the county clerk’s general Circuit Court records search. Probate mental-health records and other restricted case material may not be accessible through the public system.
| Type of document | Base charge | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Regular copy | $1 per side | Uncertified copy of an available record. |
| Certified copy | $10 plus $1 per side | Includes official certification. |
| Letters of Authority | $12 each | Available after required appointment documents are accepted. |
| Attested document | Confirm with court | Court says attestations must be requested in person or by mail. |
- Search Probate Access first. Identify and record the correct probate case number.
- Open Court Explorer. Follow the Probate Court document-order procedure for the existing case.
- Choose the document. Identify whether the receiving organization requires a certified order, Letters of Authority or another record.
- Review charges and place your order. Online card payment and applicable service charges are disclosed through the ordering process.
- Check your email. Court Explorer document orders are manually processed during regular court business hours, typically within two business days. Check spam and junk folders before reporting a missing order.
Probate document orders: 248-858-0260
Email: [email protected].
When do Letters of Authority become available?
After an initial appointment, the fiduciary must file an Acceptance of Appointment (PC 571) and Addendum to Protected Personal Identifying Information (MC 97a). Once accepted, Letters of Authority become available for purchase through Court Explorer. The court asks users to allow approximately 24 hours for processing.
If multiple fiduciaries are appointed, the required documents must be submitted for each before the court can issue the letters. Updated letters may become available after required annual reports or accounts have been accepted.
Opening a deceased person’s estate in Oakland County
Oakland County Probate Court administers qualifying decedent estates under Michigan probate law. The filing process depends on whether there is a will, the estate’s property and debts, who is entitled to act, and whether informal probate, formal probate or an eligible simplified process is appropriate.
Informal probate
Generally involves an application handled through the probate register where legal requirements are met. An informal estate can include appointment of a personal representative.
Listed filing charge: $175.
Formal probate
Uses a petition and judicial process for circumstances requiring a formal court determination. Hearings, notice and other procedural requirements may apply.
Listed filing charge: $175.
Petition and Order for Assignment
PC 556 is a simplified procedure for qualifying small estates. It is not automatically available to every estate or every asset.
Listed filing charge: $25 plus the applicable inventory fee.
Ongoing administration
After appointment, a fiduciary may have responsibilities involving inventories, creditor claims, estate assets, accounting, distribution and case closure.
Separate filing or gross estate fees may apply.
Practical checklist for an informal probate application
The court’s estate guidance refers to documents such as the death certificate, the last will and testament for a testate estate, and current Michigan probate forms. Common documents include:
- PC 558: Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative.
- PC 565: Testimony to Identify Heirs.
- PC 571: Acceptance of Appointment.
- MC 97 and MC 97a: Protected personal identifying information documents when required.
- PC 577: Inventory for a decedent estate, when applicable.
- The original will, notices, proof of service, bond or other case-specific materials as required.
These are examples, not a universal packet. Download the correct documents from the official Oakland County probate forms library.
- Confirm jurisdiction. Establish whether Oakland County is the proper court based on the decedent’s domicile and other relevant facts.
- Choose the correct type of estate proceeding. Consider informal, formal or the legally available simplified process.
- Gather names and documents. Collect the death certificate, will if any, information about heirs, assets and interested persons.
- Prepare the required Michigan forms. Include the appropriate signatures, notices and protected-information submissions.
- Use MiFILE. Follow the current Oakland County probate electronic-filing procedure rather than relying on an older mailed-packet instruction.
- Deliver any required original documents. In particular, a testate estate may have a separate original-will requirement.
- Monitor acceptance and appointment. Follow court notifications, obtain Letters of Authority if appointed, and complete later estate obligations.
Small-estate assignment through PC 556
Oakland County’s newer notice confirms that PC 556 assignment applications now go through MiFILE. When submitting, enter the decedent’s estate value. MiFILE calculates the related inventory fee. After the petition is accepted, the court sends a notification and copy of the order. A certified order may be obtained through Court Explorer.
Important: A $25 filing charge does not mean the entire small-estate transaction costs $25. The inventory or gross estate fee is additional, and the statutory eligibility requirements must be satisfied.
What is the Michigan inventory or gross estate fee?
This is a separate fee calculated using the value of qualifying estate property. Oakland County offers an official inventory fee calculator. For qualifying real property, the court explains that certain mortgage liens may be deducted from the value used in the calculation.
The court states that the fee must be paid no later than the applicable complete-settlement petition, sworn statement, or one year after appointment, whichever occurs first. The exact fee determined by the court controls over an online calculation.
For estates with disputed property, complicated beneficiary arrangements, creditor disputes or unclear court jurisdiction, seek guidance from a Michigan probate attorney before selecting the process.
What happens to an original will when filing through MiFILE?
14-day rule: Oakland County’s e-filing instructions require the original will for a testate estate to be delivered within 14 days of filing the electronic estate-opening documents. The court places the electronic documents in a hold queue until the original arrives.
This is different from electronically uploading a will copy. The county instructs applicants to submit a copy with the MiFILE opening packet and then separately provide the physical original by mail or in person at the Probate Counter.
- Prepare the application and will copy. Include the appropriate copy and other opening forms in the MiFILE submission.
- Submit the electronic filing. Keep the submission confirmation and monitor status.
- Provide the original will within 14 days. Deliver it by mail or in person using the court’s instructions.
- Do not misidentify a copy as the original. The court says a copy incorrectly submitted as an original will be returned.
- Watch for acceptance. If the original does not arrive within the required period, the electronic filing will be rejected.
Rejected filing fees may be refunded, but the county’s MiFILE instructions state that the 3% transaction fee is nonrefundable.
Can an original will be deposited for safekeeping?
Yes. Will safekeeping is distinct from opening a deceased person’s estate. Oakland County lists a $25 fee for a will deposited for safekeeping. Its forms library also includes PC 548, Authorization to Release Will Held for Safekeeping. Access and release are governed by applicable requirements.
Use the court’s current probate e-filing instructions before sending an irreplaceable original will.
MiFILE electronic filing at Oakland County Probate Court
Since June 12, 2025, Oakland County Probate Court has generally required electronic filing under the applicable Michigan court rules. MiFILE is used for new probate cases and later submissions. Registration is free.
People without suitable technology at home or work can use the court’s E-Service room. Specific exceptions remain for certain original documents, emergency matters and inventory-fee payments; the newer PC 556 notice takes priority over older exception lists.
- Create or open your MiFILE account. Use the official statewide platform and choose Oakland County Probate Court.
- Select a new case or existing case. For an existing file, use the correct number and case suffix.
- Upload the required completed documents. Check signatures, selected filing type, confidentiality flags and associated forms.
- Choose service options carefully. Selecting electronic service can send documents to the designated parties at submission and generate proof of service.
- Review fees before submitting. The system applies payment and the relevant processing charge.
- Watch the email response. The court reviews submissions and may reject incomplete or improperly submitted documents.
What time counts as the filing date?
Oakland County’s e-filing page states that submissions up to 11:59 p.m. count for that business day, subject to court review. Submissions after 11:59 p.m. Friday, during weekends or on holidays are treated as filed the following business day under its published procedure.
Always consider the actual legal deadline and the possibility of rejection. Submitting an incomplete document near a deadline does not guarantee it will be accepted.
What happens if MiFILE rejects a document?
Review the stated rejection reason. Common problems include incomplete forms, missing signatures, incorrect selections and unnecessary pages. The county says filing fees are refunded following rejection, but the 3% card transaction fee is not.
How do you format an existing case number?
The court gives an example with a four-digit year, a ten-digit number including leading zeros, and a two-letter suffix: 2025-0000123456-GA. Use the exact number assigned to your case; the example is not a real case reference for your filing.
Technical assistance
Probate Court filing questions: 248-858-0260.
MiFILE technical support: 1-855-959-8868.
Technical email: [email protected].
Oakland County Probate Court filing fees in 2026
The following selected charges come from the court’s official Fees & Waivers page. The county states that the fees are reference amounts and the court calculates exact charges at the time of the transaction.
| Filing or service | Published fee | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Informal probate / personal representative | $175 | Gross estate fee may be separate. |
| Formal probate / personal representative petition | $175 | Other filing and service charges may apply. |
| Petition and Order for Assignment, PC 556 | $25 | Additional inventory fee; now filed through MiFILE. |
| Adult or minor guardianship | $175 | Additional later filings may apply. |
| Conservatorship petition | $175 | Inventory or account requirements may follow. |
| Motion or objection | $20 | Check case-specific rules. |
| Account | $20 | Where an account fee applies. |
| Will for safekeeping / trust registration | $25 | Separate from probate administration. |
| Letters of Authority | $12 each | Issued after qualifying appointment filings. |
| Certified copies | $10 plus $1 per side | Transaction charges may apply online. |
| Gross estate / inventory fee | Value-based | Use the official calculator or court determination. |
| Legal News publication | $116.95 listed from March 1, 2025 | Confirm when required and before publishing. |
Payment methods
The court lists cash, checks payable to Oakland County Probate Court, money orders and major credit cards. Never mail cash. Electronic MiFILE payments are subject to a 3% credit card transaction fee under the current e-filing instructions.
Can you request a fee waiver?
Yes. The county lists MC 20, Fee Waiver Request, for qualifying applicants. The form and instructions are available through the official Fees & Waivers page. Fee-waiver requests may be submitted to the appropriate probate department under the court’s published process.
Before paying: Confirm whether the amount includes the case-opening charge, gross estate fee, publication, copy certification, motion or payment-processing charge. The court can confirm the precise amount for your transaction.
Oakland County Probate Court forms and what they are used for
The Michigan State Court Administrative Office provides standardized probate forms, while Oakland County maintains local procedures for using them. A form number can be useful, but it does not tell you whether that filing is legally appropriate for your situation.
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| PC 558 | Application for Informal Probate and/or Appointment of Personal Representative. |
| PC 565 | Testimony to Identify Heirs. |
| PC 571 | Acceptance of Appointment. |
| PC 556 | Petition and Order for Assignment of qualifying small-estate property. |
| PC 577 | Inventory for a decedent estate. |
| PC 625 | Petition for Appointment of Guardian of Incapacitated Individual. |
| PC 634 | Annual Report of Guardian on Condition of Legally Incapacitated Individual. |
| PC 646 | Petition Regarding Real Estate/Dwelling; new appraisal requirements apply to relevant cases. |
| MC 20 | Fee Waiver Request. |
| MC 97 / MC 97a | Protected personal identifying information submissions. |
Open the official Probate Court Forms Library ↗
Protect confidential information when filing
The MiFILE instructions require filers to handle protected personal identifying information separately and correctly flag confidential submissions. Examples can include sensitive bank records and death-certificate information. The court directs filers to submit applicable protected documents separately within the same bundle and include the case number on confidential documents where required.
Do not put Social Security numbers, full financial account numbers or private identifying information in a public document when the court rules require a protected filing method.
Guardianship and conservatorship cases in Oakland County
The Probate Court hears eligible petitions involving adult or minor guardianship and conservatorship. A guardian may receive authority over personal care decisions; a conservator generally deals with the protected person’s assets and financial affairs. The court determines the scope of authority through its orders.
Guardianship
An application may involve capacity, personal welfare, family notice, hearing rights and a proposed guardian’s qualifications. The court advises prospective filers to review alternatives before requesting a full adult guardianship.
Published starting fee: $175.
Conservatorship
A conservator may be appointed to manage property and financial responsibilities for a legally protected person. Accountings, inventories and other ongoing obligations may apply.
Published starting fee: $175.
Important Michigan law changes effective July 23, 2026
Oakland County announced new requirements affecting persons under guardianships and conservatorships, effective July 23, 2026.
- Real estate or dwelling petitions: Relevant PC 646 petitions must include an appraisal completed within the preceding six months by a professional licensed appraiser.
- Change of permanent residence: Before moving a ward from the ward’s permanent residence, the guardian must petition the court under the new statute. A guardian ad litem is required, and a hearing must be held within 28 days.
- Forms: The county published temporary local petition and order forms pending the appropriate statewide SCAO forms. Check which forms are currently required before filing.
Read the August 5, 2026 official county announcement and the current guardianship and conservatorship resources.
Legal protection: Guardianship and conservatorship can affect important personal and property rights. Court employees cannot advise you which legal strategy to choose. For contested cases, residence changes or real-estate decisions, obtain qualified Michigan legal advice.
Are Oakland County Probate Court hearings in person or remote?
Oakland County states that probate hearings may be held in person or remotely, depending on the matter and assigned judge. Your Notice of Hearing controls where and how you must appear.
If the hearing is remote, the court provides the assigned judge’s remote-hearing information. Judge-specific protocols can also contain details about Zoom or courtroom procedures. A saved video link from an earlier hearing does not authorize remote attendance at a new hearing.
Oakland County Probate Court judges
The published court roster identifies Chief Probate Judge Jennifer S. Callaghan, Chief Probate Judge Pro Tempore Daniel A. O’Brien, and Probate Judges Nicole S. Huddleston and Traci Richards. Judicial assignments and hearing instructions can change; use the current court roster and hearing notice.
Before your hearing
- Read the hearing notice for date, format, judge and attendance instructions.
- Review any scheduling order and documents you must serve or file.
- Make arrangements for an interpreter or accessibility assistance as instructed by the court.
- For remote hearings, verify the official connection instructions and test your device.
- For in-person hearings, allow time for courthouse entry and security.
Oakland County Probate Court address, contact information and map
Oakland County Probate Court
1200 N. Telegraph Road, Department 457
Pontiac, Michigan 48341
Phone: 248-858-0260
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., excluding county-observed holidays.
The Probate Court is on the first floor of the east wing of the Oakland County Courthouse, on the east side of Telegraph Road between Elizabeth Lake Road and Dixie Highway. The court prohibits weapons and cutting instruments.
| Department | Contact |
|---|---|
| General Probate Court | [email protected] |
| Deceased estates | [email protected] |
| Guardianships and conservatorships | [email protected] |
| Developmentally disabled matters | [email protected] |
| Mental health | [email protected] |
| Probate Court Explorer orders | [email protected] |
Map and directions to the Probate Court
Before visiting: Confirm whether your business must be conducted through MiFILE. The court generally requires electronic submissions, but has an E-Service room and limited procedures for original documents or other stated exceptions.
What should you do if a probate search or filing fails?
The case does not appear in Probate Access
Check the party name and spelling, then confirm the county. Contact the Probate Court if an expected case remains missing or public access is restricted.
You found the case but cannot order records
Probate Access is for case lookup, not ordering. Note the case number and use Court Explorer for eligible records. Restricted documents may require a different authorized court process.
MiFILE rejected your documents
Review the rejection email, correct signatures or missing documents, confirm the case selection and refile promptly. The court’s transaction fee may not be refunded.
You need to reopen an older probate file
The county’s MiFILE guidance says that when a file has been closed for more than 10 years, the filer should contact the Probate Court to obtain access to the existing case number before submitting reopening papers.
The original will was not delivered
Review the 14-day rule immediately and contact the court. A late original can result in rejection of the estate-opening filing.
Letters of Authority are not yet available
Confirm that the appointment order has been entered and that all required PC 571 and MC 97a filings were accepted. Allow the court’s stated processing period and contact the Probate Court if the record still does not become available.
You cannot afford the filing fee
Review the court’s MC 20 fee-waiver instructions. Eligibility is determined under the applicable rules; filing a waiver request does not guarantee approval.
Oakland County Probate Court FAQs
Where is Oakland County Probate Court located?
At 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Department 457, Pontiac, MI 48341. Probate Court is on the first floor of the courthouse’s east wing.
What is the court phone number?
The main Oakland County Probate Court number is 248-858-0260.
Is the Oakland County probate case search free?
Yes. The official Probate Access name-based case-information search has no search fee. Document copies and certifications may carry charges.
Can Probate Access provide certified court documents?
No. Probate Access does not allow users to view or order documents. Court Explorer handles orders for available probate documents.
How much does informal probate cost?
The court lists a $175 application filing fee. An additional gross estate fee and other charges may apply.
Does Oakland County require MiFILE?
Most new and subsequent probate filings must be submitted through MiFILE following the court’s June 12, 2025 implementation. Specific exceptions and original-document procedures remain.
Does PC 556 have to be electronically filed?
Yes. The county’s newer notice states that Petitions and Orders for Assignment, PC 556, are submitted through MiFILE and that the system calculates the applicable inventory fee.
How long do I have to provide an original will?
The court’s current instructions say the original will must be provided within 14 days of filing the electronic opening documents for an estate with a will.
How do I order Letters of Authority?
After the appointment and required acceptance and protected-information documents are entered and accepted, the letters are generally available for purchase through Court Explorer.
What does a certified copy cost?
The published Probate Court charge is $10 plus $1 per side. Online payment processing can add a separate charge.
Are all probate hearings held remotely?
No. Some hearings are remote and others in person. Follow the assigned judge’s instructions and the official Notice of Hearing.
What changed for guardianships in July 2026?
New requirements affect certain real-estate or dwelling petitions and moves from a ward’s permanent residence. See the county’s August 5, 2026 announcement and current forms before filing.
Can court employees tell me which type of probate case to file?
Court staff may explain procedure but cannot give individualized legal advice. The choice of filing route may require guidance from a Michigan attorney.
Official Oakland County probate links and related guides
Use official court websites for legal filings, fee payments, certified records and hearing instructions. These are the primary sources for this guide.
Related information on ProbateCourtUSA.org
Michigan county probate courts have separate records systems and local filing guidance. The site’s national probate court directory is a starting point for finding another county’s article. Verify the particular internal destination before adding extra Michigan county links.
The existing Oakland County article already covers the same court and topic; retaining its current URL helps avoid unnecessary duplicate content or a needless permalink change.