Free Ohio Petition for Probate

How to open probate in Ohio: petition the Probate Court and request Letters of Authority. R.C. 2113.05/2113.06.

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You & the Will

Ohio provides an official fillable petition; we complete it for you.

Opening probate?The whole estate, start to finish.

State Where the Estate Will Be Probated*

The state where the decedent was domiciled. Only states where a self-represented filer can prepare this document are listed.

Did the decedent leave a will?*

Yes — there is a will (request Letters Testamentary)No — there is no will (request Letters of Administration)

Your First Name*

Middle Name

Your Last Name*

Your Relationship to the Decedent*

How you are related to the person who died. Being named executor in the will is asked separately.

Your Street Address*

City*

ZIP Code*

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NOT LEGAL ADVICE:This document was created entirely based on your selections. SimplyTrust does not review, analyze, or verify your entries, nor do we verify your identity, capacity, or authority to act. You are solely responsible for determining whether this document meets your needs and for completing all required execution formalities (signatures, witnesses, notarization, or recording) in accordance with your state's laws. For any legal questions, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Probate Petitions

In Ohio, you file a petition with Probate Court to open probate. Probate Court judge issues Letters of Authority once the court grants the appointment. See how appointment works in Ohio.

You cannot fill out Letters — they are issued by the court. The document you prepare and file is the petition (or application) for probate and for Letters. This tool prepares that petition for Ohio.

Yes. Ohio publishes a statewide fillable form, which this tool completes for you. After downloading, review and sign it, then file it with Probate Court.

Ohio requires a bond by default before Letters issue, unless the will waives it. R.C. 2109.04, 2109.07, 2109.09

Ohio offers probate e-filing. Probate e-filing is a county-by-county local-rule option under Ohio Civ.R. 73(J) ("A court may provide, by local rules ... for the filing of documents by electronic means"); there is no statewide probate e-filing portal and no statewide mandate. Whether a self-represented applicant can e-file — and whether the county is paper-only — is set by that county Probate Court's local rules. Ohio's statewide e-filing portal (including its non-attorney/self-represented track) serves cases in the SUPREME COURT of Ohio, not the county probate divisions.

Along with the petition, Ohio typically requires: Certified copy of the death certificate; If there is a will: the original will plus a SEPARATE Application to Probate Will; Application for Authority to Administer Estate; Surviving Spouse, Children, Next of Kin, Legatees and Devisees; Waiver of Right to Administer.

Opening Probate in Ohio

Before anyone can act for a Ohio estate, Probate Court must appoint a personal representative and issue Letters. Letters are the court's output — you can't fill them out. The document you file is the petition for probate and for Letters (R.C. 2113.05/2113.06).

Ohio publishes an official statewide petition form. This tool completes that form for you from a few questions about the decedent, the estate, and the heirs or beneficiaries. After downloading, you sign it and file it with the court in the county where the decedent lived.

You file the petition together with the supporting documents the court requires — typically a certified death certificate and, where there is a will, the original will. Ohio requires a bond before Letters issue unless it is waived by the will. The court reviews the petition and, if it is in order, grants it and directs that Letters issue.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Probate Petitions

In Ohio, you file a petition with Probate Court to open probate. Probate Court judge issues Letters of Authority once the court grants the appointment. See how appointment works in Ohio.

Yes. Ohio publishes a statewide fillable form, which this tool completes for you. After downloading, review and sign it, then file it with Probate Court.

Ohio requires a bond by default before Letters issue, unless the will waives it. R.C. 2109.04, 2109.07, 2109.09

Opening Probate in Ohio

Free Ohio Petition for Probate

You & the Will

Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Probate Petitions