What to Do When Someone Dies in Franklin County, Ohio
Probate in Franklin 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 Franklin 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.
Paper filing availableE-filing required for attorneysSelf-filing allowed
Accepted paymentCredit card, Debit card. Because e-filing is mandatory for estate/probate cases, filing payments are made through the e-Filing System by credit or debit card, subject to a 3% non-refundable transaction fee. Limited in-person transactions (marriage license, will on deposit, copies) accept cash or card, subject to a 2.5% (min $2.00) non-refundable card fee; arrive by 4:00 PM for payment.
Departments
Guardianship614-525-3894
Marriage614-525-310823rd Floor; Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Marriage licenses issued walk-in 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (both parties present by 4:00 PM).
Located on the 22nd Floor. Cashiers close at 4:30 PM; the court remains open until 5:00 PM for informational, non-transaction purposes only. Email: probate@franklincountyohio.gov.
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 Franklin County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 373 S. High St., 22nd Fl., Columbus. Franklin County runs probate e-filing through probate.franklincountyohio.gov, its own system rather than a shared statewide portal.
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 months to 12 months to move through this process. The 6 monthsORC § 2117.06 (eff. 4-3-2023, SB 202, 134th GA)Verified Sep 8, 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 Franklin County
What probate costs in Franklin 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 373 S. High St., 22nd Fl., Columbus.
Probate matters are handled through Guardianship and Marriage. Filing and payment go through these offices, not the main clerk window.
Franklin County runs a probate self-help center, which is the single biggest cost-saver for families who can self-file. Staff can walk you through the paperwork and explain procedures, though they cannot give legal advice on your specific case. Call 614-525-7251.
The Probate Court charges $200ORC § 2101.16 (as amended by HB 96, 136th GA, eff. 9/30/2025)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
E-filing is mandatory for attorneys filing at the Probate Court (https://probate.franklincountyohio.gov/about/e-filing). Self-represented filers can request a paper-filing exemption.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Ohio are negotiated, typically 1.8%ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 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 Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value annually.
Probate in Ohio typically runs 9 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
How to File Probate at the Probate Court
If you're handling probate yourself in Franklin County, Ohio, you can file at the Probate Court in person or by mail. E-filing is mandatory for attorneys but families filing without one are exempt and can use paper forms. It is one of 3 Ohio counties where probate e-filing is mandatory rather than optional.
Filings here are routed through Guardianship and Marriage. Confirm with the office which intake handles the petition type you're filing.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person or by mail. While attorneys are required to e-file in Franklin County, families handling probate themselves are exempt and can file on paper.
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.
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Probate Court is realistic. Franklin County has a self-help center that assists people filing without an attorney.
Credit card, Debit card. Because e-filing is mandatory for estate/probate cases, filing payments are made through the e-Filing System by credit or debit card, subject to a 3% non-refundable transaction fee. Limited in-person transactions (marriage license, will on deposit, copies) accept cash or card, subject to a 2.5% (min $2.00) non-refundable card fee; arrive by 4:00 PM for payment.
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 Franklin County
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Recorder.
Deeds and other real property documents for Franklin County are recorded with the County Recorder at 373 S. High St., 18th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215. Phone: 614-525-3930. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
The County Recorder charges $34 for the first 2 pages plus $8 for each page beyond 2.
Franklin County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Ohio uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Franklin 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 1.8%ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.8%ORC § 2113.36 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Franklin 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.
A boutique practice on Dublin Road between Grandview and Upper Arlington, serving Franklin County through the Franklin County Probate Court. Handles probate, estate, and trust administration for fiduciaries, including federal estate tax returns and portability elections. Jacintha Balch is an OSBA certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
Serves Franklin and Delaware county families from the Rivers Edge office on Columbus’s northwest side, filing in the Franklin County Probate Court. The practice is limited to estate planning, probate, and estate taxation rather than general litigation. Russell Kessler is an OSBA certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Free initial consultation.
Serves Franklin and Delaware county families from Schrock Road in Westerville, filing in the Franklin County Probate Court. Probate and estate administration is a named practice area alongside estate planning, business law, and real estate. William McLoughlin is an OSBA certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.
Serves Franklin, Delaware, and surrounding central Ohio counties from Worthington, filing in the Franklin County Probate Court. Handles probate and estate administration for executors and administrators alongside guardianship, Medicaid planning, and special needs trusts. Richard F. Meyer is an OSBA certified specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Free 15-minute phone consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 4 more
Office
450 West Wilson Bridge Road, Suite 380Worthington, OH 43085
Serves families across central Ohio from its Columbus office on Goodale Boulevard. The Family Wealth & Estate Planning group handles wills, trusts, and probate administration, and represents beneficiaries, creditors, and fiduciaries in contested estate matters. Founded 1967.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more
Office
950 Goodale Boulevard, Suite 200Columbus, OH 43212
Isaac Wiles has been serving Columbus since 1936. Their Estate Planning, Trust & Probate practice group handles elder law and estate administration, with attorneys involved in nearly every precedent-setting case in Ohio relating to elder law and Medicaid eligibility. AV Preeminent rated; 15 attorneys named Best Lawyers in America 2025.
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.
Living trust assets, and accounts with a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner. These skip probate; some states charge the court fee only on what remains.
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Probate fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value, or net property after debts. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary significantly by county, attorney, and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
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Franklin County Guides
Step-by-step tools for families in Franklin County, Ohio.
