Probate Court Ogemaw County Probate Court 806 West Houghton Avenue Room 203 West Branch, Michigan 48661   Telephone:  989  345-0145              Fax:  989  345-5901         Email:  ogemawprobate@m33access.com     Welcome to the Ogemaw County Probate Court's home page.    The Probate Court has jurisdiction over cases pertaining to admission of wills, administration of estates and trusts, treatment of mentally ill, guardianships and conservatorships for minors, adults, and adults who are developmentally disabled.    In addition to the above roles, the Probate Judge also acts as a Family Court Judge dealing with juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect cases, name changes, adoptions, emancipation proceedings, divorce, custody and paternity cases which overlap with the traditional juvenile caseload, to assure that one judge handles all family issues for one family.  Services for youth include probation, Intensive Probation for delinquents, and a day-treatment program for youth who meet specific criteria for this program.  In some instances, the court also orders foster care or institutional commitment of juveniles and neglected children.      Probate judges are elected on a non-partisan ballot for six-year terms.  A candidate must be a qualified elector, a resident of the judicial circuit, a lawyer and under 70 years of age.  The Legislature sets their salaries, which may be supplemented by counties.

WHAT THE PROBATE COURT CAN'T DO The Ogemaw County Probate Court has no authority to do the following:   * Draft papers which may come before the Court.   * Give legal advice or advise which forms you will need or how to fill them out.