Are you looking for information about Benzie Probate Court in Michigan?
Every day of the week, probate attorneys from the law offices of Thav, Ryke & Associates are at probate courts in Michigan and ready to help you. At the beginning of each week on Monday morning, our law firm will post a schedule for the week so you can see when attorneys from Michigan Probate Law Firm will be available at the Benzie Probate Court.
Location / Address
Upper Level
Government Center
448 Court Place
Beulah, MI 49617
Phone: …… 231-882-9675
Toll Free: .. 800-315-9852
FAX: …………. 231-882-0022
Email Us: knowak@benzieco.net
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(exc major holidays)
Honorable John D. Mead, Judge of Probate
Kimberly D. Nowak, Probate Register/Court Adm.
Amanda O’Brien, Court Reporter
Kim Long-Miller, Deputy Probate Register
Services Offered
Appointment of conservatorships
Appointment of guardianships
Commitment of mentally ill
Probate of estates
Trust supervision
Secure, fire-proof storage of last wills.
Description
Probate Court is divided into three major areas:
The probate of estates and supervision of trusts;
Guardianships and Conservatorships; and
Commitment of Mentally Ill.
Probate Court also has jurisdiction regarding secret marriages, drain proceedings, kidney donations, delayed registration of birth, missing person proceedings, marriage ceremonies, and establishing death of disaster victims.
Estates & Trusts
Probate is a procedure for transferring title of the decedent’s property to the persons entitled to it. Many people believe that by having a Will they will avoid probate. While a Will may make probate easier, there still must be disposition through probate of those items titled in the decedent’s name alone. A living trust can avoid probate if all the decedent’s assets are owned by the trust. Upon death, title to those assets pass according to the terms of the trust without the need of probate. Probate court also oversees safekeeping of wills.
Appointment of guardianships & conservatorships
A guardian is a person who makes personal decisions for the ward. A guardian is responsible for the care and control of a ward. A conservator makes decisions concerning the finances of the ward. Types of guardians and conservators appointed by the probate court include Full or Limited Guardian of a Minor, Conservator of an Adult or Minor, Protective Orders, Full or Limited Guardian of an Adult (legally incapacitated or developmentally disabled).
Commitment of Mentally Ill
Probate Court is responsible for the involuntary commitment of the mentally ill. It has jurisdiction over any person who is a resident of the court’s county or who is found in that county. The court must determine if the person is mentally ill and if that person also meets the requirements that the person is either dangerous to themselves, dangerous to others, or unable to take care of basic physical needs. After the probate Court determines that an individual is a person requiring treatment, it must determine the duration and kind of treatment within the statutory requirements.
PLEASE NOTE: The court is happy to provide you with forms and routine information regarding filing but court personnel are restricted by law from giving legal advice.
Visit: Michigan Legal Help
Fees
Probate Court fees vary. Please contact our office for specific filing fees.
Forms
Probate forms are available at this site:
Michigan Courts — One Court of Justice