Probate in Cuyahoga County

Probate Court Record

Cuyahoga County Probate Court

Cuyahoga County

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

Office

1 Lakeside Avenue West, Cleveland, OH 44113

E-filing

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

How to file probate in Cuyahoga County →

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Do I need a lawyer for probate in Cuyahoga County? →Settling an estate in Cuyahoga County →

Probate Litigation Firms Serving Cuyahoga County

Serves Lorain and Erie counties from Chester Road in Avon, filing in the Lorain County Probate Court in Elyria, with a second office in Sandusky. Its estate planning and probate team handles trust, estate, and probate litigation and business succession alongside private foundation counseling and tax-efficient property transfers.

Since 1932Serves 5 countiesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationBusiness SuccessionCharitable Planning

The Toledo office anchors the Wealth Strategies practice in Ohio. It handles estate and trust administration, probate, and trust and estate litigation, along with wealth-preservation and tax planning. Founded 1925; an OSBA-certified specialist leads the service line.

Since 1925Serves the whole stateEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTax PlanningBusiness Succession

All 8 Ohio probate litigation firms serving Cuyahoga County →

Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Ohio

Free Ohio forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Ohio and download the PDF.

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Revocable Living Trust

Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.

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Last Will and Testament

In Ohio, a will is signed before 2ORC § 2107.03Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses, and no self-proving affidavit is availableORC § 2107.03Verified Oct 19, 2026View source.

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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Ohio

Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Ohio: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Ohio.

How Much Does Probate Cost?

Probate on a $500,000 estate in Ohio costs an estimated $26,234ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.8%Modeled estimate under ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%Modeled estimate under ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.

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Who Inherits Without a Will?

Without a will in Ohio, a surviving spouse takes the entire estateORC § 2105.06Verified Oct 21, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per capita with representationORC §§ 2105.11 to 2105.13Verified Oct 21, 2026View source.

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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?

In Ohio, creditors have 6 monthsORC § 2117.06 (eff. 4-3-2023, SB 202, 134th GA)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from the date of death to present claims; late claims are barred.

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How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Ohio: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysR.C. §§ 2115.02, 2115.06, 2113.69Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsR.C. §§ 2117.06, 2117.07, 2117.12, 2117.25Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.

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How Much Can an Executor Charge?

Ohio sets executor compensation by statute — about $15,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 3.0%ORC § 2113.35Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.

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