What to Do When Someone Dies in Union County, Ohio

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

What probate costsHow to fileDeath certificatesTransferring propertyLocal attorneys

Probate Court Record

Union County Probate Court

Union County

Hours

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

Office

215 West Fifth Street, Room B06, Marysville, OH 43040

Self-represented filing

Allowed

Self-help forms

Court forms packet

Open in Google Maps

E-filing

Required for attorneysAttorneys of record register as eUsers and file through the Electronic Case Filing System shared by all divisions of the Union County Common Pleas Court. Self-represented filers who are not eUsers file conventionally, and some filings may be emailed with a deputy clerk's permission, though no case is opened by email. Adoptions, appeals, involuntary commitments, minor settlements and wills on deposit are filed on paper. On paper: Self-represented filers who are not registered eUsers file conventionally; Adoptions, appeals, involuntary commitments, minor settlements and wills on deposit are filed on paper; Adult protective services complaints and emergency guardianships are opened on paper, then e-filed; Original wills and codicils are e-filed and also filed in original form within three business days.

Self-represented filing

AllowedSelf-represented filers file on paper at the Probate Clerk's Office in Room B06. The court posts its local forms and checklists by case type, including estate forms and a self-representation acknowledgement.

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Union 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 Union County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 215 West Fifth Street, Room B06, Marysville. Union County runs probate e-filing through eservices.co.union.oh.us, 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. 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 Union County

What probate costs in Union 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 215 West Fifth Street, Room B06, Marysville.

Procedures at this court that affect cost: A cost deposit is paid when any action or proceeding is first filed.

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 Union County, Ohio are filed at the Probate Court. It is one of at least 6 Ohio counties where probate e-filing is mandatory rather than optional.

Beside the filing office, the court lists a separate line for Probate Clerk.

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 Union County Self-Filing Assessment.

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 Union County

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

Vital Records Office Record

Local Health Department

Union County · Union County Health Department, Vital Statistics

Hours

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

Office

940 London Avenue, Suite 1100, Marysville, OH 43040

Certified copies

At the counter, issued while you wait

Order online

Permitium

Open in Google Maps

Fax

1-937-645-3047

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Coroner or Medical Examiner Record

Coroner

Union County · Union County Coroner's Office

Office

128 South Main Street, Room 203, Marysville, OH 43040

Open in Google Maps

Mail and offices

Fax

1-937-645-4148

Verified November 2, 2026 · Source

Transferring Property in Union 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 Union County are recorded with the County Recorder at 233 West Sixth Street, Marysville, OH 43040. Phone: 1-937-645-3032. Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-4:00 PM.

The County Recorder charges $39 for the first 2 pages plus $8 for each page beyond 2.

Union County accepts electronic recording through ePN, Simplifile and CSC.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Union County

Hours

Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-4:00 PM

Office

233 West Sixth Street, Marysville, OH 43040

Open in Google Maps

Fees

Recording fees

Base fee (first 2 pages)$39
Each page beyond 2$8
Transfer tax on a TOD deedTOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax

ORC 317.32(A)(1)(a)-(b); ORC 317.36(A); Union County Recorder Fee Schedule

Verified October 16, 2026 · Source

Forms that put a death on the title

Probate Attorneys Serving Union County

Ohio uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Union 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 an Union 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.

Solo PracticeColumbus, OH

Balch Law

Serves 4 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawTax Planning

Office
1335 Dublin Road, Suite 203AColumbus, OH 43215

FirmColumbus, OH

Kessler & Ballenger Co., L.P.A.

Serves 4 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax PlanningGuardianship

Office
7650 Rivers Edge Drive, Suite 220Columbus, OH 43235
Free consultation

FirmWesterville, OH

Metz, Bailey & McLoughlin, LLP

Serves 4 counties

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.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness LawReal Estate

Office
33 East Schrock Road, Suite 1Westerville, OH 43081

FirmWorthington, OH

R. F. Meyer & Associates

Serves 7 counties

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
Free consultationVirtual consultations

FirmMarysville, OH

Schulze, Cox & Will

Since 1982

Serves Union County and central Ohio from Marysville, most active in Union, Delaware, Champaign, Madison, and Logan counties. Handles wills, trusts, powers of attorney, asset protection, and probate and trust administration, with added focus on farm and agribusiness estate planning and business succession. Established 1982.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateAsset ProtectionBusiness Succession

Office
110 South Main StreetMarysville, OH 43040

FirmColumbus, OH

Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP

Since 1967

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
See all 25 firms serving Union 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

Notify Banks & Financial Institutions

Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.

Auto-Owners Life

Auto-Owners Life logo

Insurance Company serving the Midwest, Southeast, and more

Auto-Owners Life

Bayer Heritage

Bayer Heritage logo

Credit Union serving the Southeast, Midwest, and more

Bayer Heritage

Citadel

Citadel logo

Credit Union serving the Northeast, Midwest, and more

Citadel

Citizens Bank

Citizens Bank logo

Bank serving the Northeast, Southeast, and more

Citizens Bank

City National WV

City National WV logo

Bank serving the Southeast and Midwest

City National WV

CSAA Insurance

CSAA Insurance logo

Insurance Company serving the West, Northeast, and more

CSAA Insurance

Dollar Bank

Dollar Bank logo

Bank serving the Northeast, Midwest, and more

Dollar Bank

Erie Insurance

Erie Insurance logo

Insurance Company serving the Southeast, Northeast, and more

Erie Insurance

Fifth Third Bank

Fifth Third Bank logo

Bank serving the Southeast, Midwest, and more

Fifth Third Bank

First Commonwealth

First Commonwealth logo

Bank serving Pennsylvania and Ohio

First Commonwealth

First Merchants

First Merchants logo

Bank serving Indiana, Michigan and Ohio

First Merchants

Flagstar Bank

Flagstar Bank logo

Bank serving the Midwest, Northeast, and more

Flagstar Bank

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

Named as Executor

Named as Executor

What an executor actually does: getting appointed, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and where personal liability starts.

Learn more