Probate Court

Marian Kromkowski, Judge of the Leelanau County Probate Court and the 13th Circuit Court-Family Division has directed the following:

Proceedings will be conducted virtually to the maximum extent possible, consistent with Administrative Order 2020-6 (extended by AO 2020-12).

1. The public is encouraged to continue to conduct business (file papers, make payments, etc.) virtually, using the court’s email, fax, telephone, drop boxes or by mail (directions below).
2. Trials will be held in person.
3. Fully vaccinated people are not required to wear masks when entering the building.
4. Any person desiring to wear a mask shall be allowed to do so.
5. Large venue and common areas in the courthouse will be open for use.
6. Walk in hours for the Courts will be Monday-Friday 9:00 – 5:00 p.m. (appointments preferred).

Court hearings will be conducted virtually to the maximum extent possible, consistent with Administrative Order No. 2020-6.  However, accommodations can be made for hearings that are open to the public to be viewed in person.  Please contact Probate Court for more information.  

We are asking the public to conduct business with us as much as they can by phone, e-mail, U.S mail, fax or other ways, rather than in-person.

For further information contact (231) 256-9803 option 1 or 2, or email Kris Mattis at kmattis@leelanau.gov.

 FILINGS IN PROBATE COURT CASES:

• Filing by fax - Filings may be faxed to the following Probate Court fax number 231-256-9845.  However, please notify us by email or phone if you are faxing documents, because faxes may not be reviewed immediately.

• Procedures for using e-mail for filings – As directed by Administrative Order No. 2020-1, the Court will permit filing via email as an emergency measure for a limited time.

• Filing by drop box - Filings may be dropped off in the black ballot box inside the entry of the Government Center.  However, please notify us by email or phone so the documents can be retrieved.

• Filing by U.S. Mail - Filings may be mailed to: LEELANAU COUNTY PROBATE COURT, 8527 E. GOVERNMENT CENTER DR, STE 203, SUTTONS BAY, MI 49682

For Leelanau Probate Court email Kristina Mattis kmattis@leelanau.gov 

• Documents with filing fees – Probate filings that require the payment of a filing fee may be accepted via fax or email only if the fee is paid in advance. Contact Kris Mattis or Erica Pfriem at 231-256-9803 option 1 or 2 to make the payment using a credit card over the phone.

• Filing Dates – Under MCR 2.406(E), documents received during the regular business hours of the court will be deemed filed that business day. Documents received outside business hours will be deemed filed the next business day.

• When filing documents electronically using e-mail or fax, an original paper copy of the document already submitted electronically to the court is not required.

Hon. Marian Kromkowski - Judge Kromkowski was elected  as Probate Court Judge in 2018, and took office on January 1, 2019.  In Leelanau County she also presides over the Circuit Court-Family Division.

Judge Kromkowski came to the bench with 39 years of experience as a lawyer. She graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 1979 and from Indiana University in 1975.  Prior to her election she was in private practice with her husband Matthew Posner in the firm of Kromkowski & Posner, PC.  She specialized in criminal trial and appellate work, family law and domestic relations mediation.  Judge Kromkowski was the first Domestic Relations Referee in the 13^th Circuit and served from 1993 through 1997.  In 1998 until 2018 she was a part-time referee in the 28^th Circuit Court.  Judge Kromkowski was also the first attorney in the 13th Circuit to be trained as Domestic Relations Mediator. She was also a Collaborative Divorce practitioner.

Judge Kromkowski and her husband Matthew Posner have three daughters.  Matthew’s family has enjoyed ties to beautiful Leelanau County since 1947. The couple moved to Leelanau in 1987 and made Suttons Bay their home.

Kristina Mattis is the Probate Register for the Probate Court. Kris worked as the Deputy Probate Register for Grand Traverse County between 2017 and 2019. Prior to working for the Courts, Kris worked as an experienced Probate and Family Law Paralegal for approximately 14 years in Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida.  She attended Paralegal school at Pensacola Junior College. In the past, she has also been a speaker for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. She has been a proud Navy wife since 2002. Kris was raised in Traverse City and her husband, Eric, was raised in Suttons Bay. They are fortunate to have a sweet daughter and built their forever home in Suttons Bay. Kris loves bicycling, gardening, volunteering in the community and baking cupcakes.

Erica Pfriem is the Deputy Probate Register for the Probate Court. Erica worked as a Judicial Assistant for the 11^th Circuit Court Family Division in Miami-Dade County, Florida for 16 years. Erica lives in Leelanau County with her husband and cat, Holly (rescued from a Hollybush). She is enjoying all that Leelanau County has to offer.