Michigan Guardianship Filing Fee and Fee Waiver

The Standard Filing Fee

Filing a petition for guardianship of a minor in Michigan probate court costs $175. This is a statutory fee that applies statewide — the amount is the same whether you file in Wayne County, Kent County, or any of Michigan's 83 probate courts.

On top of the filing fee, certified Letters of Guardianship (PC 570) cost $12 per copy. Two or three copies bring the filing fee and copy charges to $199–$211.

Requesting a Fee Waiver (MC 20)

If you can't afford the filing fee, Michigan Court Rules allow you to request a waiver. You do this by filing SCAO Form MC 20 (Fee Waiver Request) alongside your guardianship petition.

The court must waive the fee if you meet either condition:

Condition 1 — Public assistance. You receive need-based public assistance, such as FIP (Family Independence Program), SNAP (food assistance), or SSI (Supplemental Security Income).

Condition 2 — Income below poverty. Your household income falls below state poverty guidelines. The form asks for your income information, and the court makes the determination.

File the MC 20 at the same time as your petition packet. Don't pay the fee first and try to get a refund later — submit the waiver request upfront and let the court review it before processing the filing.

What Happens After You File MC 20

The court reviews your financial information. If the waiver is approved, your petition proceeds without the filing fee.

If it's denied, the court notifies you and sets the payment timeframe under the court rule. Follow the deadline in the notice; failure to pay can prevent the petition from proceeding.

The MC 20 request addresses filing fees. Ask the court clerk whether certified-copy charges can also be waived.

Other Costs Beyond the Filing Fee

Additional costs can depend on the county and the service method. Ask the probate court about local criminal-background-check and filing requirements, and confirm service and mailing costs before filing. An attorney is not required to file a guardianship petition; eligible petitioners can use the SCAO forms.

Reducing Costs for Low-Income Caregivers

Beyond the fee waiver, several resources can help reduce or eliminate the financial burden:

Legal Aid of Western Michigan, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, Lakeshore Legal Aid, and Michigan Advocacy Program provide legal-aid or advocacy resources in the areas they serve. Eligibility and capacity vary; Michigan Legal Help (michiganlegalhelp.org) has self-help information and referral directories.

MSU Kinship Care Resource Center (kinship.msu.edu) and the MichiKin navigator network provide free support — not legal representation, but help navigating the process, connecting with community resources, and understanding your options.

Legal aid clinics at some Michigan law schools may offer limited assistance with guardianship filings. Contact a clinic to ask whether it handles minor guardianship cases and whether it is accepting matters.

The Michigan Guardianship and Custody Court Process Guide includes a walkthrough of the MC 20 fee waiver process and a cost breakdown for each step, so you know exactly what to budget before you start filing.

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