The Probate Pro has the great privilege of appearing before probate courts throughout the state of Michigan. One of the most enjoyable courts to practice in is the Wayne County Probate Court. Why? The Wayne County Probate Court has experienced and knowledgeable judges that understand probate law.
Location
The Wayne County Probate Court is located on the 12th and 13th floors of the Coleman A. Young Municpal Building (formerly known as the City-County Building) at 1200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan.
Incredibly, the probate court presides over 35,000 active files, accepts for filing over 13,000 new probate files each year, and has scheduled for hearing almost 33,000 cases per year. The number of cases managed by this Court is extraordinary. The Probate Pro is unaware of another court in the state of Michigan that manages anywhere near the number of probate files that the probate court oversees.
Judges
The Wayne County Probate Court has seven judges, Chief Judge; Honorable Freddie G. Burton, Jr.; Honorable David Braxton, Chief Judge Pro Tempore, Honorable Judy A. Hartsfield, Honorable Frank S. Szymanski, Honorable Terrance A. Keith, Honorable Lisa Marie Neilson, Honorable Lawrence J. Paolucci, and Honorable David A. Perkins.
As a result of the high number of files that the Probate Court handles, the sitting probate judges have tremendous experience handling the full gamut of probate related issues.
Hours
The Probate Court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. During the lunch break from 12:30pm to 1:30pm the courtrooms are closed but thankfully the probate counter is opened for filings. The Wayne County Probate Court is closed during most major holidays.
Security
An important consideration before entering the Probate Court is the security requirements. You will be subject to building security before you enter the court and must pass through a metal detector. The specific items that are banned are constantly being tweaked.
For many probate related issues, there is no need to venture all of the way to the courthouse. You can do it from the warm, cozy confines of your home. The Probate Court has a terrific website. The website has tons of valuable information including probate forms that can be downloaded free of charge. Yes, free court approved probate forms! One of the most handy features on the Probate Court website is the free, nifty Inventory Fee calculator that can be used to compute the Inventory Fee owed to the probate court.
Website
Wayne County is one of a handful of probate courts in Michigan that provides free access to view court dockets. This avoids the necessity of having to go to the courthouse to obtain simple information from a probate court file.
The Probate Pro is grateful to be able to practice law before the bench at the Wayne County Probate Court.
Call The Probate Pro: (248) 399-3300 – toll free: 1(833PROBATE)
E-Mail: Darren@TheProbatePro.com
