What to Do When Someone Dies in Stark County, Ohio

How probate works in Stark County: the Probate Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.

Probate Court Record

Stark County Probate Court

Stark County

Hours

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

Office

110 Central Plaza South, Suite 501, Canton, OH 44702

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

Self-represented filing

AllowedThe court provides pre-assembled document packets and an Estate Guidebook for filers. Court employees do not give legal advice, including how to fill out forms or which forms a case needs; the Stark County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service is at 330-453-0686.

Accepted payment

  • At the counterCash, Check.The court accepts only cash or checks for filing costs. Opening an estate takes an initial deposit set by the court's case cost deposit schedule.

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Stark 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 Stark County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 501, Canton.

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. Creditors have 6 monthsR.C. §§ 2117.06, 2117.07, 2117.12, 2117.25Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the date of death.

What Probate Costs in Stark County

What probate costs in Stark 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 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 501, Canton.

The Probate Court charges $200ORC § 2101.16 (as amended by HB 96, 136th GA, eff. 9/30/2025)Verified Oct 17, 2026View source to open a probate case. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Attorney fees in Ohio are negotiated, typically 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 estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.

Ohio sets executor compensation by statute — about $15,000 on a $500,000 estate, roughly 3.0%ORC § 2113.35Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members 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%Industry surety premium estimate; the bond itself under 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

Probate cases in Stark County are filed at the Probate Court. File in person during business hours or by mail.

Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Marriage License.

Can You File Without an Attorney?

In Ohio, informal probate is not availableORC §§ 2107.18, 2113.05 (probate court admits the will and issues letters; no registrar/clerk track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Stark County Self-Filing Assessment.

Stark County Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Document Requirements

The Marriage License Department closes at 4:15 p.m., before the 4:30 p.m. close of the court's other offices.

Source

What to Bring

Filed with the opening petition at the Probate Court: Certified copy of the death certificate (standard county Probate Court filing requirement); If there is a will: the original will plus a SEPARATE Application to Probate Will (Form 2.0) [R.C. 2107.11, 2107.18, 2107.19] — the will must be admitted before letters testamentary can issue (R.C. 2113.05), and Form 4.0 only offers the checkbox "Decedent's Will has been admitted to probate in this Court"; Application for Authority to Administer Estate (Form 4.0), with the names/addresses of the surviving spouse and next of kin and a statement of estate value (R.C. 2113.07)R.C. 2113.05/2113.06 (grant of letters); R.C. 2109.02, 2109.07 (acceptance & application for authority); R.C. 2113.07 (application contents); Ohio Civ.R. 73.2 (standard probate forms), 73.11 (application for letters of authority; notice)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Death Certificates and the Coroner in Stark County

In Ohio a death is registered locally, and in Stark County certified copies of the death certificate are issued by Stark County Health Department, Birth & Death Records as well as by Ohio Department of Health - Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Vital Records Office Record

Local Health Department

Stark County · Stark County Health Department, Birth & Death Records

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Office

7235 Whipple Avenue Northwest, Suite B, North Canton, OH 44720

Certified copies

At the counter, issued while you wait

Order online

Fax

1-330-493-9920

City registration districts

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Coroner or Medical Examiner Record

Coroner

Stark County · Stark County Coroner's Office

Hours

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

Office

3053 Cleveland Avenue Southwest, Canton, OH 44707

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Stark 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 Stark County are recorded with the County Recorder at 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 170, Canton, OH 44702. Phone: 1-330-451-7443. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM.

The County Recorder charges $34 for the first 2 pages plus $8 for each page beyond 2.

Stark County accepts electronic recording through Hopdox, CSC, ePN, Indecomm and Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Stark County

Hours

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

Office

110 Central Plaza South, Suite 170, Canton, OH 44702

Fax

1-330-451-7394

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

Probate Attorneys Serving Stark County

Ohio uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Stark 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, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Stark 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.

FirmCuyahoga Falls, OH

Hoover Kacyon, LLC

Serves 4 counties

A Summit County firm with offices in Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, and Green, working the Summit County Probate Court and surrounding counties. Administers estates and trusts, contests wills, and petitions for guardianships when an adult can no longer manage their own affairs. The estate practice is led by OSBA-certified specialist Corinne Hoover.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more

Office
527 Portage TrailCuyahoga Falls, OH 44221

Solo PracticeCanton, OH

Mitchell A. Machan Law Office

Serves 1 county

A Canton solo practice on Tuscarawas Street W that has worked the Stark County Probate Court for over three decades. Handles estate administration, probate matters, and guardianship petitions for incapacitated family members. Also assists with adoptions filed through the same probate court.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawGuardianship

Office
3810 Tuscarawas Street WCanton, OH 44708

FirmCanton, OH

Bixler Moore LLC

Bixler Moore focuses exclusively on estate planning, elder law, and closely related practice areas in Stark County. Edgar M. Moore is one of approximately 160 OSBA Certified Specialists in Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration. The firm serves Stark, Summit, Carroll, and Tuscarawas counties from offices in Canton and Louisville.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more

Office
4505 Stephen Circle NW, Suite 101Canton, OH 44718

Solo PracticeCanton, OH

Law Offices of Gerald L. Baker

Since 1981

The Law Offices of Gerald L. Baker is a boutique practice in Canton dedicated to estate planning, elder law, and probate. Founded in 1981, the firm has served individuals and small businesses across Stark, Summit, Carroll, and Tuscarawas counties for over 40 years.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawBusiness Succession

Office
3711 Whipple Avenue NWCanton, OH 44718
Free consultationVirtual consultations

Serves Wayne, Holmes, Medina, Knox, and Ashland counties from five offices anchored in Wooster. Handles estate, trust, and guardianship administration and represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in will contests, fiduciary removal, and trust and probate litigation. Several attorneys are OSBA-certified specialists in estate planning, trust, and probate law.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more

Office
225 North Market StreetWooster, OH 44691

FirmKent, OH

Flynn Keith & Flynn LLC

Since 1997

Located in downtown Kent, Flynn Keith & Flynn has provided Portage County with estate planning, probate, trust administration, real estate, and business law services since 1997. The three-partner firm brings over 100 years of combined legal experience.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate

Office
214 South Water StreetKent, OH 44240
See all 19 firms serving Stark County →

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.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

Show 4 more sources

Data sourced from Ohio statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.

Tools for Settling an Estate in Ohio

Free tools for settling an estate in Ohio: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Ohio.

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.

See the Steps

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.

See the Steps

Can I Self-File Probate?

In Ohio, informal probate is not availableORC §§ 2107.18, 2113.05 (probate court admits the will and issues letters; no registrar/clerk track)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, so self-filing means a formal court petition rather than a registrar filing.

Get the Answer

Hire an Ohio Probate Attorney

Browse vetted Ohio attorneys handling probate matters.

Browse firms

All Ohio tools