7th Probate Court
200 Division St., Suite 280
Petoskey, MI 49770
(231) 348-1764
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
EMERGENCY MEASURES FOR COURT OPERATIONS
Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020, through Friday, April 10, 2020, the 7th Probate District Court in Emmet County and Charlevoix County will be closed. Only emergency matters will be processed and heard as necessary.
In accordance with Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 2020-2, the following emergency hearings will still be scheduled and held as necessary.
1) Child protective proceedings:
a. Hearings required within 24 hours of taking a child into protective custody
b. Permanency planning hearings
2) Juvenile delinquency proceedings:
a. Hearings required within 24 hours of a juvenile’s apprehension or detention
b. Arraignments for in-custody designated and adult comt waiver proceedings
3) Proceedings regarding involuntary mental health treatment, including:
a. Pick-up/transport orders
b. Petitions for initial or continuing involuntary hospitalization
4) Waiver of parental consent proceedings
5) Safe delivery of newborns proceedings
6) Petitions for immediate funeral/burial arrangements
7) Emergency petitions filed by Adult Protective Services
8) Emergency petitions for guardianship
9) Emergency conservatorship and protective order
10) Estates where immediate access to residence is necessary
11) Ex parte requests for temporary restraining orders
12) Other emergency matters at the discretion of the Court
All emergency filings should be submitted electronically, if possible. Our service windows will be closed at this time. All business will be conducted by telephone, fax, or email.
For emergency filings, if you are unable to file electronically, you may call the court at the number listed below to make filing arrangements.
Emmet County contact information: Lisa Muneio, Court Administrator, call (231) 348-1764 or by email lmuneio@emmetcounty.org. Anyone needing to fax a document to the Emmet County court can do so to (231) 348-0672.
Charlevoix County contact information: Tim Smith, Court Administrator, call (231) 547-7214 or by email probatecourt@charlevoixcounty.org. Anyone needing to fax a document to the Charlevoix County court can do so to (231) 547-7256.
Juvenile probationers will have weekly contact with their probation officer by FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, or other electronic commmunication.
Juvenile drug court treatment meetings and hearings are canceled until further notice.
Regular court operations will resume on Monday, April 13, 2020, unless public health concerns require further restrictions.
This action is being taken in response to the State of Emergency declarations by the Governor of Michigan and the President of the United States to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and reduce the risk posed to the public, court staff, and others, while protecting the legal rights of our citizens. These measures will be updated as circumstances require.
Court forms are available on the State Court Administrative Office’s website at https://courts.michigan.gov/administration/scao/forms/pages/search-for-a-form.aspx
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Hon. Valerie K. Snyder
Probate Court Judge
Probate Court Judge
The Hon. Valerie K. Snyder
Probate Court Staff
Lisa Muneio, Court Administrator
Debra Niswander, Register of Probate
Cindy Brubacher, Juvenile Register
About the Probate & Family Court
The Probate Court division handles wills, administers estates and trusts, appoints guardians and conservators, and orders treatment for mentally ill and developmentally disabled persons. There are 78 probate courts in Michigan; probate judges are elected for six-year terms. The court is located on the upper level of the County Building.
Additional Resources
Peace of Mind: A Guide to Medical and Legal Decisions
Additional Court information: www.michigan.gov
Probate Court Forms as approved by the State of Michigan