Register in Probate

Mission Statement: To maintain records and perform statutory functions pertaining to Formal and Informal Probate, Adult and Juvenile Mental Commitments, Juvenile Delinquency, Children in Need of Protection and Services, Juveniles in Need of Protection and Services, Adult and Juvenile Adoptions and Termination of Parental Rights.

The Register in Probate assists in the probate of all estate proceedings. It is the duty of the Register in Probate to maintain all papers properly filed, keep a court record of every proceeding and review all court documents for approval. The court record is a complete index or brief history of each proceeding from beginning to final disposition. The Register in Probate records all documents and proceedings of the court and keeps a record, in full, of all wills admitted to probate and those filed for safekeeping as well as all letters issued and all judgments rendered. Administrative duties include the maintenance of proceedings under the adoptions of adults and minors, guardianship of minors and incompetents and the accounting thereof, the supervision of monies investd for trusts and minor guardianships, and proceedings of the mentally ill.

The Probate Register handles the administration of all informal probate proceedings, testate and intestate. The Probate Registrar advises as to the legal preparation of any documents but may not give legal advice to the personal representative.

The Clerk of Juvenile Court files all documents pertinent to the Children's Code and has the responsibility to keep court records of every proceeding involving juvenile delinquency, children in need of protection or services, adoptions, juvenile guardianships and termination of parental rights.