Wills - Grand Traverse County Probate Court

Wills for Safe Keeping


Depositing your original Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil with the Probate Court
  • A Grand Traverse County resident may deposit their original Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil at the Grand Traverse County Probate Court.
  • Your original Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil may be deposited by you or someone under your direction.
  • Your original Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil must be deposited in a sealed Number 10 envelope (4 1/8 inches by 9.5 inches), with the following information on the outside of the envelope.
    • Full Name
    • Complete Address
    • Social Security Number
  • Your original Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil envelope will be date stamped by the clerk.
  • Only original Wills from Grand Traverse County residents may be filed with the Grand Traverse County Probate Court.
  • A $25 filing fee is required to deposit a Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil.
  • You will be given receipts for the deposit of the will and the filing fee.

Retrieval of a Last Will & Testament

During your lifetime, you may retrieve your original Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil at anytime at no charge. However, there is a $25 filing fee each time your Last will and Testament and/or Codicil is redeposited. 

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. You will be asked to sign a "Withdrawal of Will" form and a copy of your ID will be taken to attach to the form.

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 PC548 (PDF). Your designee shall present the authorization form to the court and 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 PC548 (PDF), and mailing or delivering it to the court. 

Your Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil will then be mailed to you by certified mail, return receipt requested and addressee only.

Wills of Deceased

Delivery of an original Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil is required upon the death of the individual to the Probate Court.

Regardless of where the original Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil is stored, upon death, the original Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil must be delivered to the Probate Court of the county of residence.  (this is listed on the death certificate)
  • If the original Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil is not stored with the court, the custodian or person having possession of the original Last Will and Testament and/or Codicil must deliver it to the Probate Court with reasonable promptness upon death.