Kent County Department of Social Services v. Macomber

The Legislature has given a broad grant of authority to the probate court to protect children who come within its jurisdiction.

We disagree with the reading of chapter XIIA of the probate code by the dissent to the extent it would limit the authority of the probate court to those orders expressly listed in § 18. Our reading of the provisions granting and describing the jurisdiction of the probate court persuades us that probate court power extends beyond § 18.

The jurisdiction of the probate court, a court of limited jurisdiction, is defined by the Legislature. MCL 600.847; MSA 27A.847 provides…