Wills for Safekeeping
This page is for informational purposes. It is not a substitute for legal advice. The Cass County Probate Court staff cannot give you legal advice and cannot tell you what to do. If you have legal questions, you should speak with an attorney.
If you are a Cass County resident, you may deposit your original will with the Cass County Probate Court for safekeeping (MCL 700.2515). There is a $25 deposit fee. The will should be placed in a sealed envelope and have the following information on the outside:
- Name, address and last four digits of the testator’s social security number
- Date delivered
- Name of the person who delivered the will
*The Cass County Probate Court can provide the envelopes for your convenience.
While your will is filed for safekeeping, the Cass County Probate Court will not disclose that it is on file. It will not be released to anyone, except you, or your designee.
Please note that after a Testator passes away and proof is provided to the Court, the will becomes public and copies can be released to anyone.
Release of Will
During your lifetime, you may retrieve your will at any time. Court staff, however, cannot unseal your will to make a copy of it and reseal it. In order to retrieve your will, you must appear at the Cass County Probate Court and present identification. If you cannot personally appear to withdraw your will, you may authorize that the will be released to someone else by completing PC 548 Authorization to Release Will Held for Safekeeping.