Everything You Need to Know About MiFILE: E-Filing with Oakland County Probate Court: A Comprehensive Guide to Procedures, Tips, and Common Questions

E-FILING AND OAKLAND COUNTY PROBATE COURT

E-filing has become the standard for handling court documents in the Oakland County Probate Court. Thanks to the MiFILE system, users can initiate and manage all types of probate cases online. If you’re new to MiFILE or looking for a refresher on best practices and procedural details, this guide is for you!

Why MiFILE and Who Must Use It?

Michigan Court Rule 1.109(G) mandates e-filing for all case types—both for opening new cases and filing subsequent documents. MiFILE is the platform of choice for this process. However, there are a few exceptions where paper filings are still allowed:

·       Emergency Mental Health Transport Petitions

·       Petitions and Orders for Assignment (Small Estates)

·       Deposit of Original Wills

·       Payment of Inventory Gross Estate Fee

Getting Started with MiFILE

Begin by visiting the Oakland County Probate Court website at www.oakgov.com/probate. Registration is free. If you lack access to e-filing at home or work, the court provides an E-Service room for public use. Make sure to check the website frequently for updates on judges’ protocols and e-filing procedures.

Key Filing Procedures and Tips

·       Certified Documents: Request Letters of Authority or certified copies in person, by mail, or online via Court Explorer. All certified documents include electronic seals as required by state law.

·       Confidential Information: Always protect Personal Identifying Information (PII). Submit confidential documents (like bank statements or death certificates) separately but bundled together with your filing. Add the court file number to the top of each confidential document before scanning.

Attending Court Hearings

Your hearing might be in-person or remote, depending on the judge and the case. Always refer to your Notice of Hearing for specifics.

Handling Emergencies

For emergency petitions, check the emergency box on the Tru-File page and file the Emergency Petition Supplemental Form (PEMH 1137) as a separate Miscellaneous document. Type “emergency” in the comment line. After review, the judge’s chambers will contact you about next steps.

If You’re Appointed as a Temporary Guardian or Special Fiduciary

Once appointed, it’s crucial to file both your Acceptance of Appointment and API/MC 97a forms. You can submit these online or at the probate counter. Afterward, purchase your Letters of Authority at the counter or online. If multiple fiduciaries are appointed, all forms must be filed together before Letters of Authority are issued.

Filing into Existing Cases

Use the format: Year (4 digits) – file number (10 digits, including leading zeros) and suffix (2 letters). For example: 2025-0000123456-GA.

ICHAT Criminal Search Requests

Complete the PEMH 1148 form (available on the court website), code it as MISC, and type ICHAT in the comment line. Be sure to check the Confidential box when submitting.

Letters of Authority: Updates, Initial Appointments, and Processing

·       After filing and acceptance of the annual report/account, Letters of Authority can be purchased online. Please allow 24 hours for processing.

·       For new appointments, file the Acceptance of Appointment (PC 571) and Addendum to Protected Personal Identifying Information (MC97a) forms. Once accepted, Letters of Authority will be available online (certified with electronic seals).

·       If there are multiple fiduciaries, all must file their forms together before Letters of Authority are issued.

Filing Objections

Use the emergency box on Tru-File for objections. The Emergency Supplement Form is not required, but the Objection form (PC 694) must be the first page. A $20 filing fee applies.

Requesting E-Service and Adding Parties

If you’re not a current party but wish to receive e-service (for example, as an attorney or interested party), fill out form MC 507. There’s no fee. Submit it along with an “Add Party to Case” request via Tru-File. You must be a registered MiFILE user. Once added, you’ll receive electronic service at the email on file.

Need Assistance?

·       For e-filing questions, contact Probate Court staff at 248-858-0260.

·       For technical support, reach TrueFiling customer care at 1-855-959-8868 or email mifile@imagesoftinc.com.

·       Contact my office at 248 871 7644 or support@JMcCowanLaw.com

With MiFILE, the Oakland County Probate Court makes e-filing accessible, organized, and secure. Bookmark this page for future reference and check the court’s website regularly for updates!