Kincaid, Taylor & Geyer is the oldest continuously practicing law firm in Muskingum County, with roots tracing to 1895. The firm provides estate planning and administration services ranging from simple wills and powers of attorney to complex estate and tax planning for families that own businesses.
Probate in Athens County
Probate Court Record
Athens County Probate Court
Athens County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
1 South Court Street, 2nd Floor, Athens, OH 45701
Website
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Athens County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Athens County? →Settling an estate in Athens County →
Trust Administration Firms Serving Athens County
MDS Law Ohio was founded in 2022 by Matthew D. Scott, who has prepared over 2,500 estate plans across California, Ohio, and West Virginia. The firm provides estate planning, wills, trusts, probate administration, elder law, and business succession services to families in Washington County and the greater Marietta area.
Rutherford Law Office was established in 1998 in Chillicothe and serves Ross County and surrounding Southeast Ohio communities. Attorney Sherri K. Rutherford is a member of the OSBA committees on Elder Law and Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. The firm handles wills, trusts, probate, and Medicaid planning.
Tribbie, Plummer, Church & LaPlante has over 70 years of practice experience serving Guernsey County and surrounding Southeast Ohio communities with probate, estate planning, and elder law.
Serves Northeast Ohio from offices in Akron, Canton, and Cleveland. The Trusts & Estates group guides executors and trustees through estate and trust administration and handles contested matters including will and trust disputes, fiduciary litigation, and probate litigation, alongside business succession planning. Founded 1913.
Serves central Ohio from its Columbus office, one of more than a dozen firm locations. The Trusts & Estates group handles estate and trust administration, probate representation, and fiduciary representation for both corporate and individual fiduciaries, and litigates estate, trust, beneficiary, and guardianship disputes. Formerly Bricker Graydon LLP.
All 17 Ohio trust administration firms serving Athens 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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Pour-Over Will
In Ohio, a pour-over will is signed before 2ORC § 2107.03Verified Oct 19, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
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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 Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Ohio happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust CodeORC § 5801.01 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 daysR.C. §§ 5808.13, 5810.05Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
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What's Fair Trustee Compensation?
In Ohio, trustee compensation follows "reasonable compensation" (UTC § 708 or equivalent)Ohio Rev. Code §§ 5807.08, 5807.09; Ohio Rev. Code § 5801.04(B)(7); Ohio Civ.R. 73.24Verified Sep 18, 2026View source unless the trust instrument sets a different amount.
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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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Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Ohio requires a final state income tax return for the decedent alongside the federal Form 1040Ohio Rev. Code § 5747.02Verified Sep 20, 2026View source; a federal estate tax return (Form 706) is required only for estates above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Ohio take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular ratesR.C. § 5747.02 (rate schedule)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
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