Probate Court deals with conservatorships; guardianships of persons with mental retardation; terminations of parental rights; adoptions; removals of parents as guardians; paternity matters; emancipations of minors; commitments of persons with psychiatric disabilities; commitments for treatment of drug and alcohol abuse and treatment of tuberculosis; and name changes.
The proceedings in probate courts are generally informal, and hearings tend to be relatively brief. Many times, the parties appearing in the probate courts are not represented by counsel.