Final answer:
A probate court in Michigan primarily handles matters related to deceased estates, validating wills, and distributing assets to the rightful heirs, and they also deal with juvenile cases. Trusts, on the other hand, are used to transfer assets to heirs and usually avoid the probate process.
Step-by-step explanation:
A probate court is a specialized judicial body that deals primarily with matters related to the deceased estates, including the validation and execution of wills, distribution of the decedent's assets to heirs, and the guardianship of minors. In Michigan, like many other states, the probate court's responsibilities include hearing cases regarding wills and estates, as well as issues concerning juveniles. Probate judges serve six-year terms in Michigan. It's also important to understand that a trust is an estate planning tool often used to facilitate the transfer of assets in a way that bypasses the probate process. The administration of a trust upon an individual's death is typically handled by appointed trustees and is not subject to the scrutiny or the process of the probate court unless contested.