Genesee County Probate Court

The staff is wonderful! I see them being consistently kind and patient. When I have "silly" questions they never roll their eyes or become visibly irritated. Very professional and as helpful as the rules/law allows.

I have had to take guardianship of 2 of my grandchildren. Judge Barkey is thorough and fair. If you don't like her it's probably on you.
The staff in the office were also very helpful and patient with me and all of my questions.
Of course they are understaffed and busy at the time I wrote this, Covid still has everything a bit messed up. But keep trying if you must call, or their answering machine let me know they now have office hours again.

Judge Barkey is compassionate and truly cares about what is best for CHILDREN. All too often parents think that just because they created children that gives them the right to have custody. This is not always the case. Abusive, neglectful parents who dont do enough to improve themselves for the sake of their children don't deserve to raise them. Thankfully Judge Barkey gets it! She looks out for the kids and that's what judges are supposed to do!

First of all, I have little / no legal experience and was so THANKFUL for the help provided by the staff while navigating the guardianship process. It was a daunting task and very high stakes getting a family member the help they desperately needed. Everyone was patient and helpful throughout the process and, while I intend to write a formal letter highlighting in more detail, felt compelled to share my personal experience online.

I wasn't where I needed to be but they were very helpful

Very helpful

I was stuck with a guardian because the people at Wellspring Lutheran Services didn't want me to leave. Whenever I found a place to live the social workers stopped it from happening. I have had a visit from a Frankenmuth police officer, my son was told that I should be made a ward of the State. Now a guardian who after 2 weeks of taking over my life has closed my checking account. My 762 credit score has gone down the toilet because I can't pay the bills. Now I will never be able to rent a home, get a loan or be able to live without assistance. First a social worker prevented me from leaving by interfering with my getting assistance from A&D. Then the next time I had a Frankenmuth police officer called because the social worker lied about my daughter using me for my money. The next day my son got a phone call from the social worker who said that I should be made a ward of the State. The last time I tried to leave Wellspring and go to Missouri to be with my daughter and granddaughters. 2 days later I received court papers in the mail. After falling for the lies of the social worker and my Dr I was forced to have a guardian who after 2 weeks of being appointed closed my checking account and has my SSDI check going to her bank account. All this crap because I wanted to leave Wellspring and live like a normal person. I don't have money to appeal the guardianship decision and I don't trust anyone to mail an informal letter to the judge. All I wanted was to get a house and be able to live a normal life. I don't know what I did to deserve this. The probate court has let me down. I wish I would have stayed in CA instead of coming home to Michigan. I can't even get any help from the VA. I don't trust social workers and almost everything with a pulse

The people in the clerical office are sometimes helpful but Judge Barkey doesn’t know her cases, has pet lawyers whom she gives cases to, and doesn’t listen to the people she is supposed to be serving. This is an elected position and she seems to think she is the queen. Would advise if there is ANY way possible to keep your family out of probate court. Make sure you have a will and power of attorney and do NOT let the court tell you those aren’t sufficient because that is a LIE.

These guardianships are made to keep families prisoners with there loved ones at the mercy of the courts. My mom's a ward 14 years and exploited every year. Financially and I pay for her extras like food supplements.
No one investigates an attorney guardian--they write reports and change the narrative and have allowed all inventories never looking at the exspenses .an attorney files.,allowing the continued exploitation and neglect. Sadly over the last 14 yrs never reviewed her Bank statements.The systems broken.

Judge Barkey is completely ignorant dose not look at paperwork or proof is only concerned with her opinion. Ignoring the fact that children are being kept from there parent as a way to say haha showing her proof of this was no concern of hers. In a trial you are allowed to defend yourself not in judge Barkeys court she asked me one question and as I was answering she cut me off and kept cutting me off then gave her judgment. As I sat in the court room waiving stacks of paperwork and messages she and proof of my efforts she wouldn't even look at them. Judge barkey has several issues and is no longer allowed to be involved in cases concerning in laws because of her bias opinion and her own personal issues one can only assume why she is this way. How many other lives has she ruined of parents, children, grandparents and the mentally I'll. Disbarment for judge Barkey should be required by the state for her incompetence.

Judges unfair in front of Judge try to State my case judge already have their minds made of decide to take to trial guardianship of my daughter Court made a ruling just the other day a ruling that had no acknowledge of because nobody from the courthouse sent me a letter stating that I'm supposed to show up to court on a certain day and certain time it's funny how courts can make their minds up but not give you proper direction let alone let you know when you have to go to court

They don't answer the phone morning noon or night. I've got a court date coming up and I was told the zoom instructions would be in the paperwork but its not. Been calling for 2 weeks this stuff is getting old.