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2024 Elections

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

  1. Kalamazoo County residents may deposit their Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil at the Kalamazoo County Probate Court.
  2. Your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil may be deposited by you or someone under your direction.
  3. 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:
    1. Your name, address and last four digits of your social security number and your Michigan drivers license number.
    2. Date delivered.
    3. Your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil envelope will be stamped "filed," dated and initialed by the clerk.
  4. There is a $25.00 filing fee to deposit the Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil. Do not place in the sealed envelope.
  5. 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. By mail:
    1. 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.
    2. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. A person who neglects to promptly deliver your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil (without reasonable cause) is liable for damages.
  4. 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).