Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court is the Trial Court with the broadest powers in Michigan. In general, the Circuit Court handles:

• Civil cases with claims of more than $25,000.00
• Custody
• Divorce
• Felony criminal cases
• Paternity
• Personal protection actions
• Treatment and testing of infectious disease

The Circuit Court also hears appeals from the lower courts such as appeals from local government boards such as zoning appeals and appeals from some administrative agencies of State Government.

Juvenile Court

• Child abuse
• Neglect 

Probate Court:

• Adoptions
• Emancipation of minors
• Name changes
• Safe delivery of newborns
• Treatment and testing of infectious disease

The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office is the steward of the Circuit Court Records. If you are filing documents on your own or looking at public court files, it is assumed that you know the law as to when to file documents, what documents to file, how to file the documents, and how to interpret the law. If you are representing yourself, you are acting as your own attorney.

The Clerks of the Circuit Court are not attorneys and therefore are prohibited from giving out any legal advice (this includes what forms you need to fill out and file or when you need to file documents) and cannot interpret the law.