Wayne County Probate

What Wayne County Probate does

Wayne County Probate Court is a government judicial institution of Wayne County, Michigan, operating from the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit. It holds statutory jurisdiction over probate matters for all Wayne County residents, including decedent estate administration (testate and intestate), adult and minor guardianships, conservatorships, involuntary mental health commitment proceedings, and developmental disability guardianship. The court is led by 8 judges of probate, with Hon. David Braxton serving as Chief Judge and Hon. David A. Perkins as Chief Judge Pro Tempore, supported by 76 full-time staff positions as of year-end 2025. In 2025, the court processed 11,919 new filings, scheduled 29,838 hearings, and maintained a 102% clearance rate with an average hearing wait time of 5.0 weeks.

The court's operations are built on a manual electronic filing system accepting submissions via email, fax, drop box, and mail, complemented by a Case Access portal for public docket viewing, a Zoom-based virtual courtroom for remote hearings, and electronic seal certification on fiduciary letters (implemented July 2020). Specialized units include the Behavioral Health Unit for mental health and AOT proceedings, an Emergency Filing pathway for urgent matters, a Guardianship and Estates Ombudsman, and a Language Access Plan with a designated coordinator. The court relies on SCAO-approved forms and Michigan Compiled Laws for procedural governance, with local administrative orders specifying operational details.

As a government entity, Wayne County Probate Court does not generate commercial revenue. It collects statutory transaction-based fees including $175 standard filing fees, $12 certified letter fees, $11+ per-page certified copy fees, and ~$116.95 publication fees through Detroit Legal News, but is primarily funded through Wayne County Government appropriations. Key partnerships include Detroit Legal News (publication), Detroit-Wayne Integrated Health Network (behavioral health), the State Court Administrative Office (forms and oversight), and Wayne State University centers (training and resources). The court serves any Wayne County resident who requires probate jurisdiction, with no geographic or commercial customer acquisition function.

Name

Wayne County Probate

Legal name

Wayne County Probate Court

Website

https://wcpc.us

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wayne County Probate Court is a government judicial institution serving all Wayne County, Michigan residents with probate matters including decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and involuntary mental health commitments. It operates with 8 judges and 76 staff processing approximately 11,919 filings annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Probate Court Services

NAICS

Legal Services (5411), Other Legal Services (54119)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty & Problem-Solving Courts (Drug, Mental Health, Veterans, Family) (BPAIAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Guardianship & Conservatorship Services (FSAAANAG), Estate & Probate Administration Services (FSAEAKAD)

Keywords

• Probate court services
• Estate administration
• Guardianship proceedings
• Conservatorship services
• Mental health commitments

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Filing Fees: The court generates revenue through statutory filing fees charged to petitioners. Fees include a $175 filing fee and $12 certified letter of authority fee per document, with additional fees for copies and specialized filings. Fees may be waived for indigent filers based on income or public assistance eligibility.
2. Copy and Document Fees: Revenue from certified/exemplified copies ($11 for first page + $1 each additional page) and standard copies ($2 per page). Also includes $10 fee for new records creation searches (up to 50 cases per request) per Local Administrative Order 2015-01.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Wayne County Probate Court administers probate matters for Wayne County, Michigan residents, processing petitions for decedent estates, adult and minor guardianships, conservatorships, and involuntary mental health commitments. The court issues legally binding fiduciary letters with electronic seals, conducts hearings via Zoom video conferencing, and provides electronic docket access through the Case Access portal. Filings are accepted via email, fax, drop box, and U.S. mail, with statutory filing fees ($175 per petition, $12 certified letter of authority) and fee waivers available for eligible indigent filers below 125% of federal poverty guidelines.

Product overview

Wayne County Probate Court operates as a government court system rather than a commercial product company. Its services consist of a unified set of interconnected court administrative and case management functions: a web-based Case Access portal for public docket and document viewing, a manual electronic filing system accepting submissions via email/fax/drop box/mail, a Zoom-based virtual courtroom for remote hearings, downloadable court-approved forms (SCAO standard and WCPC local forms), and specialized services including a Behavioral Health Unit handling mental health petitions and Assisted Outpatient Treatment, an Emergency Filing pathway for urgent matters, a Guardianship and Estates Ombudsman for complaint resolution, a Language Access Plan with interpreter coordination, and a Fee Waiver program. The court also publishes Local Administrative Orders governing its operations. These services work together to process probate matters including decedent estates, adult and minor guardianships, conservatorships, and involuntary mental health commitments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Case Access Portal Web-based portal providing public access to electronic court dockets, case records, filed documents (post-April 2022), hearing information, and register of actions for all civil case types. Available 24/7 at public.wcpc.us/eservices.
• Electronic Filing System Manual electronic filing system allowing submission of probate petitions and documents via email, fax, drop box, or regular mail. Filings are processed manually and fees are paid separately after submission; not a true e-filing court.
• Zoom Virtual Courtroom Remote hearing platform using Zoom video conferencing. Each judge has a unique Zoom Meeting ID; participants can join via the Zoom app, computer browser, or telephone dial-in. Courthouse hearings may be requested via Form WCPC247.
• Probate Court Forms Downloadable court-approved forms including SCAO standard forms, WCPC local forms (WCPC96, WCPC99, WCPC247, WCPC262, WCPC571, WCPC805), and specialized forms for guardianships, conservatorships, decedent estates, and mental health proceedings.
• Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) Specialized unit monitoring Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) orders, processing mental health petitions and transport orders, collaborating with stakeholders on behavioral health protocols, and promoting community awareness of behavioral health issues across Wayne County.
• Emergency Filing Services Expedited processing for emergency petitions including immediate funeral/burial arrangements, life-threatening guardianship emergencies, conservatorships with pending evictions/foreclosures, immediate estate access to residence, ex-parte temporary restraining orders, and mental health pick-up/transport orders. Emergency hearings can be scheduled within days of filing.
• Copy Request Services Document copy services providing certified copies ($11 first page plus $1 each additional page per MCL 600.2546), standard copies ($2 per page per Local Administrative Order 2020-02), and new records creation searches (up to 50 cases for $10 per Local Administrative Order 2015-01). Documents filed since April 1, 2022 are available online at no cost via Case Access.
• Guardianship and Estates Ombudsman Complaint resolution service for guardianship, conservatorship, and decedent's estate matters under the court's jurisdiction. Provides a complaint form and investigation of reported issues. Contact: (313) 224-0589.
• Language Access Plan (LAP) Language access coordination service with a designated LAP Coordinator (Jennifer Parmalee) providing interpreter services and translated materials for non-English speakers. Contact: [email protected].
• Fee Waiver Request Financial assistance program allowing waiver of filing fees for individuals receiving public assistance, those below 125% of federal poverty guidelines, or when payment would constitute financial hardship. Uses form MC20.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average hearing wait time of 5.0 weeks (2025), down from 5.6 weeks in 2023
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Detroit Legal NewscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDetroit Legal News serves as the designated newspaper for all required legal publications in Wayne County Probate Court proceedings. Filers who are missing addresses for interested parties must arrange publication through Detroit Legal News. The newspaper charges approximately $116.95 for publication (effective March 1, 2025) and does not file Affidavits of Publication on behalf of parties — filers must submit them to the court themselves.
• Detroit-Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDWIHN is the designated community mental health authority for Wayne County and collaborates with the court's Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) to coordinate mental health treatment services. DWIHN provides psychological evaluations, assessments, and recommendations for developmental disability guardianship petitions. The court refers filers to DWIHN for assistance with developmental disability guardianship petitions and general mental health resources. DWIHN also operates the Crisis Care Center at 707 W. Milwaukee St., Detroit for individuals requiring immediate psychiatric care.
• State Court Administrative Office (SCAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCAO, a division of the Michigan Supreme Court, provides standardized court forms, guidelines, and oversight for Michigan probate courts. Wayne County Probate Court uses SCAO-approved forms (PC series, MC series) for all petitions and filings, and operates under SCAO's administrative rules and court procedures. The court is required to use SCAO-approved forms where available per MCR 5.113(A).
• Center for Behavioral Health and Justice at Wayne State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWayne State University's Center for Behavioral Health and Justice has developed an Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Toolkit referenced by the court's Behavioral Health Unit. The center provides training and resources for mental health stakeholders in Wayne County and supports the court's AOT monitoring functions.
• Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) / Bureau of Specialty Behavioral Health ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMDHHS, through its Bureau of Specialty Behavioral Health Services, provides resources and oversight for developmental disabilities services. The court references MDHHS resources for individuals with developmental disabilities and collaborates on cases involving state mental health systems.
• Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute at Wayne State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe DD Institute at Wayne State University provides resources and expertise on developmental disabilities that the court references for filers seeking guardianship for individuals with developmental disabilities. The court recommends contacting this institute for information and assistance.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wayne-county-probate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wayne County Probate