County Courts
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Circuit
Court
The Circuit Court is the superior court for Lenawee County.
District
Court
District Court, established by the Legislature in 1968, became a
court of record in 1973 and testimony is recorded electronically by a Court
Recorder.
Friend of the Court
Statutorily, the Friend of the Court handles
domestic relation matters defined as meaning any Circuit Court proceeding as to
child custody, parenting time, or child or spouse support that arises out of
litigation under any statute of this state.
Probate
Court
The Probate Court involves protection of the personal rights and
property of certain persons who may not be capable of protecting themselves;
such as minors and legally incapacitated persons. The Probate Court has
jurisdiction over settlement of estate of deceased persons including probating
of wills, appointing and supervising personal representatives appointed for
estates, allowing claims against estates and determining amount of inheritance
taxes due on estates. The Court also makes determinations on petitions for
commitment of persons alleged to be mentally ill or developmentally disabled.
Adoption proceedings, legitimation and acknowledgement of parent-hood, issuance
of marriage license for underage persons, and legal change of name procedures,
and petitions for condemnation of property are all filed in the Probate Court.