What to Do When Someone Dies in Clinton County, Ohio
Probate in Clinton County runs through the Probate Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Clinton County, settling their estate runs through the Probate Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
Probate Court
Clinton County
Address
46 S. South St., Suite 224Wilmington, OH 45177
Phone
Fax
937-383-1158
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Paper filing availableE-filing optional
Accepted paymentCash, Money order, Credit card. Credit cards carry a $2.00 or 3% fee, whichever is greater. Only attorneys may pay by check.
Verified June 2, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Clinton County
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Clinton County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 46 S. South St., Suite 224, Wilmington.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Ohio intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Ohio estates take 9 monthscodes.ohio.gov: ORC § 2113.03Verified Jun 19, 2026View source to 12 monthscodes.ohio.gov: ORC § 2113.03Verified Jun 19, 2026View source to move through this process. The 6 monthsORC § 2117.06 (eff. 4-3-2023, SB 202, 134th GA)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What Probate Costs in Clinton County
What probate costs in Clinton County, Ohio comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Probate Court at 46 S. South St., Suite 224, Wilmington.
Local procedures at this court: Payment accepted: cash, money orders, credit cards ($2.00 or 3% fee, whichever greater). Only attorneys may pay by check. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.
Ohio charges $200ORC § 2101.16 (as amended by HB 96, 136th GA, eff. 9/30/2025)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
The Probate Court accepts e-filing (https://www.clintoncountycourts.org/ProbateCourt/home/). Paper filing remains available for self-represented filers.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Ohio are negotiated, typically 2%ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source to 4%ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is also statutory in Ohio. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. Premiums run roughly 0.5%ORC §§ 2109.04, 2109.09Verified Jun 19, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Ohio typically runs 9 monthscodes.ohio.gov: ORC § 2113.03Verified Jun 19, 2026View source to 12 monthscodes.ohio.gov: ORC § 2113.03Verified Jun 19, 2026View source, and costs accrue throughout. The 6 monthsORC § 2117.06 (eff. 4-3-2023, SB 202, 134th GA)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source creditor claim window is the single biggest driver of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of estate complexity.
How to File Probate at the Probate Court
Probate documents in Clinton County can be filed in person at the Probate Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
E-Filing Also Available
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
View E-Filing InformationCan You File Without an Attorney?
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Probate Court is realistic.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Clinton County Self-Filing Assessment.
Before You Go
Accepted payment
Cash, Money order, Credit card. Credit cards carry a $2.00 or 3% fee, whichever is greater. Only attorneys may pay by check.
What to Bring
To file at the Probate Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Transferring Property in Clinton County
Clearing title to real estate after a death—recording a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order—happens at the County Recorder.
Recording Office Record
County Recorder
Clinton County
Address
1850 Davids Dr., Suite 305Wilmington, OH 45177
Phone
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
E-recording
Not available
Recording fees
| Base recording fee | $28 |
| Per additional page | $8 |
Base fee of $28.00 covers the first two pages. Each additional page is $8.00. A typical TOD designation affidavit is 1-2 pages, so the total recording fee is $28.00. Counties may charge additional technology and modernization fees per ORC 317.36 and ORC 317.321.
ORC 317.32
Transfer tax
$1.00 per $1,000 of value (mandatory state conveyance fee, ORC 322.02) State; Up to $3.00 per $1,000 of value (county permissive fee, ORC 322.02). Varies by county. local. Transfer-on-death deeds are generally exempt (TOD designation affidavits (ORC 5302.22) involve no transfer of consideration at recording. The real property conveyance fee under ORC 322.02 applies only when consideration is exchanged. The conveyance fee statement (DTE Form 100) is not required for TOD affidavits.). The conveyance fee may apply later when the beneficiary sells or transfers the property after the owner's death, but not at the time the TOD designation affidavit is recorded.
Verified March 22, 2026 · Source
Probate Attorneys Serving Clinton County
Ohio uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Clinton County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Probate attorney fees in Ohio are based on reasonable compensation — typically 2%ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source to 4%ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Jun 19, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Clinton County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Probate Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Cincinnati Metro Firms
Favret Law, LLC
FirmFavret Law is a boutique firm in Cincinnati's Hyde Park neighborhood that focuses exclusively on wills, trusts, estate planning, and probate. Bruce Favret is one of fewer than 160 attorneys in Ohio certified as a specialist in wills, trusts, and probate by the OSBA. The father-daughter team is licensed in both Ohio and Kentucky.
Location
2631 Erie AvenueCincinnati, OH 45208
Phone
(513) 871-8076
Estate PlanningProbateTrust Administration
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Rosenbauer Law Office, LLC
FirmRosenbauer Law Office is an estate planning firm in West Chester serving the greater Cincinnati area. Founded in 2012 by Nicholas Rosenbauer, the firm focuses exclusively on estate planning, trust administration, and probate with a personalized, family-first approach.
Location
7908 Cincinnati Dayton Road, Suite AWest Chester, OH 45069
Phone
(513) 463-6789
Established
2012
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate
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Wood + Lamping LLP
FirmWood + Lamping's Trusts, Estates and Wealth Transfer Practice represents clients in all aspects of estate planning, probate, and estate tax law. Over 90 years in Cincinnati; Tier 1 in 8 practice areas (2025 Best Law Firms).
Location
600 Vine Street, Suite 2500Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone
(513) 852-6000
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawTax PlanningCharitable Planning
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Firms from Neighboring Regions
Butler & Marshall Attorneys at Law
FirmButler & Marshall has served the Tri-County area from Washington Court House since 1984. The firm handles wills, estates, trusts, probate, bankruptcy, family law, and real estate for clients across Fayette, Pickaway, Ross, Madison, and Clinton counties.
Location
106 West East StreetWashington Court House, OH 43160
Phone
(740) 335-4381
Established
1984
Service Area
5 counties
Estate PlanningProbateTrust Administration
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Schroeder Law Group
Solo PracticeSchroeder Law Group serves Highland County and surrounding southern Ohio communities from Hillsboro. Attorney James Schroeder handles estate planning, probate, real estate, business law, and nonprofit formation. Licensed in Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia.
Location
338 West Main StreetHillsboro, OH 45133
Phone
(937) 402-2348
Service Area
6 counties
Estate PlanningProbate
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Statewide Practices
Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC
FirmBuckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs has served Northeast Ohio since 1913. Their Trusts & Estates team creates customized strategies collaborating with accountants, bankers, financial planners, and insurance professionals to ensure an integrated approach to estate and charitable giving plans.
Location
3800 Embassy Parkway, Suite 300Akron, OH 44333
Phone
(330) 376-5300
Established
1913
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness SuccessionCharitable Planning
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Bricker Graydon Wyatt LLP
FirmBricker Graydon Wyatt's Trusts & Estates Practice Group handles estate planning, asset protection, income and estate tax planning, probate avoidance, charitable planning, and business succession. Formerly Bricker Graydon LLP.
Location
100 South Third StreetColumbus, OH 43215
Phone
(614) 227-2300
Established
1944
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningCharitable PlanningBusiness Succession
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Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP
FirmCalfee's estate planning attorneys assist clients in developing and implementing wills, trusts, and estate and succession plans. Ranked Band 1 in Ohio Private Wealth Law by Chambers HNW 2024. Selected for Best Law Firms 2025 rankings for Litigation - Trusts & Estates (Regional Tier 1 Cleveland).
Location
1405 East Sixth StreetCleveland, OH 44114
Phone
(216) 622-8200
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTax PlanningBusiness Succession
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Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
FirmDinsmore is a full-service national law firm established in 1908 with a strong trusts and estates practice serving clients in Cincinnati and throughout Ohio. 260 Dinsmore attorneys listed in 2026 Best Lawyers.
Location
255 East Fifth Street, Suite 1900Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone
(513) 977-8200
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningWealth Transfer
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FBT Gibbons LLP
FirmFBT Gibbons LLP (formerly Frost Brown Todd, merged with Gibbons P.C. effective January 1, 2026) is a national law firm with approximately 800 attorneys across 25 offices. The Private Client practice provides comprehensive estate and wealth planning to individuals and families throughout Ohio.
Location
301 East Fourth Street, Great American Tower, Suite 3300Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone
(513) 651-6800
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningWealth TransferBusiness Succession
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Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
FirmPorter Wright's Tax, Estate Planning & Personal Wealth group provides wealth and asset preservation, probate and trust litigation, and family office services. About 225 attorneys across nine offices; Chambers USA 2025 ranked with 21 attorneys and 11 practices recognized.
Location
41 South High Street, Suites 2800-3200Columbus, OH 43215
Phone
(614) 227-2000
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningCharitable PlanningProbate Litigation
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Reminger Co., LPA
FirmReminger operates the Estate and Trust Dispute Center of Ohio and has 13 T&E lawyers in the 2025 Best Lawyers in America. Estates, Trusts and Probate Litigation ranked Metropolitan Cleveland Tier 1 (Best Law Firms 2026); nationally ranked for Trusts and Estates.
Location
200 Public Square, Suite 1200Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone
(216) 687-1311
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationFiduciary LitigationElder Law
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Roetzel & Andress
FirmRoetzel's Trusts, Estates & Wealth Management team provides comprehensive estate planning and administration services throughout Ohio. Founded 1876; over 210 lawyers in 13 offices. 100 attorneys named 2025 Best Lawyers/Ones to Watch.
Location
222 South Main Street, Suite 400Akron, OH 44308
Phone
(330) 376-2700
Established
1876
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTax PlanningBusiness SuccessionCharitable Planning
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Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
FirmShumaker, Loop & Kendrick was founded in 1925 and has grown to a premier provider of legal services with more than 300 lawyers. Their Wealth Strategies service line includes Trusts and Estates and Estate Administration practices. 131 attorneys in Best Lawyers in America 2025.
Location
1000 Jackson StreetToledo, OH 43604
Phone
(419) 241-9000
Established
1925
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate LitigationTax PlanningBusiness Succession
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Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
FirmTaft's Private Client practice provides estate planning, wealth transfer, and trust administration services. AmLaw 100 firm with 1,100+ attorneys; 15 attorneys in Chambers HNW; ranked leading firm for Private Wealth Law in Ohio. Founded 1885.
Location
425 Walnut Street, Suite 1800Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone
(513) 381-2838
Established
1885
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningCharitable PlanningBusiness Succession
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Thompson Hine LLP
FirmThompson Hine's Personal & Succession Planning practice provides estate planning, trust administration, and fiduciary services. 400+ lawyers in 10 offices; Chambers HNW ranked; Legal 500 ranked for Cleveland.
Location
3900 Key Center, 127 Public SquareCleveland, OH 44114
Phone
(216) 566-5500
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningFiduciary LitigationBusiness Succession
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Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
FirmVorys' trusts, estates and wealth transfer practice received a Band 1 ranking, the highest honor, in the Chambers USA: High Net Worth Guide 2025 edition. Founded 1909; about 375 lawyers across Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, DC, London, and Berlin.
Location
52 East Gay StreetColumbus, OH 43215
Phone
(614) 464-6400
Established
1909
Service Area
Statewide
Estate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningWealth TransferCharitable Planning
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Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Legal Sources
- codes.ohio.gov: ORC § 2113.03
- ORC § 2101.16 (as amended by HB 96, 136th GA, eff. 9/30/2025)
- ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- ORC § 2117.06 (eff. 4-3-2023, SB 202, 134th GA)
- ORC §§ 2109.04, 2109.09
Data sourced from Ohio statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
You open probate by filing a petition with the Probate Court in Clinton County, attaching the original will (if any), the death certificate, and the filing fee ($200). Once the court issues letters, the personal representative can act.
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Clinton County, that means filing fees ($200 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
Yes. The Probate Court in Clinton County accepts e-filing through the state portal. In-person filing at the courthouse is still available for those without digital access.
Not every estate needs one. Simple estates, small estates under the affidavit threshold, and states with informal probate can often be handled without counsel. Contested wills, out-of-state property, and business interests usually need an attorney. The Ohio self-filing assessment scores whether this estate can be handled without one.
A simple Ohio probate typically closes in 6–9 months; average estates run 9–12 months. The mandatory creditor-claim period accounts for much of that, so even uncontested estates rarely close quickly.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Clinton County probate.
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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