The state will pay the $172,000 salary while the county general fund will pick up the approximately $310,000 cost of providing the judges’ benefits, a judicial secretary, a clerk and court attorney.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signature Thursday gave the final approval to adding a third judge to handle the increasing caseload of wills and estates, guardianships and conservatorships, and mental commitments at the county courthouse in Mount Clemens.
Macomb Probate Judge Sara Schimke said the two Macomb Probate judges handle 48 cases per day on their dockets as well as eight to 12 emergency cases each day.