Probate Court
Decedent Estates/Wills – Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil
Depositing your Original Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil with the Probate Court
- Kalamazoo County residents may deposit their Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil at the Kalamazoo County Probate Court.
- Your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil may be deposited by you or someone under your direction.
- Your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil should be placed into a sealed (4 1/8 x 9 ½ in) envelope with the following information on the outside:
- Your name, address and last four digits of your social security number and your Michigan drivers license number.
- Date delivered.
- Your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil envelope will be stamped "filed," dated and initialed by the clerk.
- There is a $25.00 filing fee to deposit the Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil. Do not place in the sealed envelope.
- You will be given receipts for the deposit of the will and filing fee.
Retrieval of a Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil
During your lifetime, you may retrieve your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil at anytime at no charge. However, there is a $25.00 filing fee each time your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil is re-deposited.
- In person:
To retrieve your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil, you must present your name, and personal identification, either your driver's license or state ID card. - By another person:
If you are unable to present yourself personally to the Court, you may request your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil, by completing the Authorization to Release Will held for Safekeeping (Form PC-548). Your designee shall present the Authorization form to the Court; present personal identification, by either their driver's license or state ID card before your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil will be released. - By mail:
- You may request your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil, by completing the Authorization to Release Will held for Safekeeping (Form PC-548) and mailing it to the Court.
- To receive your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil by mail you will have to include a check or money order payable to the Kalamazoo County Probate Court in the amount of $10.00. Your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil will then be mailed to you by certified mail, return receipt requested and addressee only.
Delivery of Original Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil upon death of the testator to the Probate Court
- Regardless of where your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil is stored, upon death, your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil must be delivered to the Probate Court of your county of residence.
- If your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil is not stored with the Court, the custodian or person having possession of the Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil must deliver it to the Probate Court with reasonable promptness upon your death.
- A person who neglects to promptly deliver your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil (without reasonable cause) is liable for damages.
- A person who willfully refuses or fails to deliver your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil after ordered by the Court to do so is guilty of contempt of Court and subject to penalty for contempt (fine or jail).