Ohio Probate Cost Calculator

Q: How much does probate cost in Columbus / Franklin County?

The executor fee is the same statewide (ORC 2113.35: 4%/3%/2% plus 1% on unsold real estate). Only the county filing fee differs. In Franklin County (Columbus), Cuyahoga (Cleveland) or Hamilton (Cincinnati), expect a $100-$400+ filing fee on top of the executor and attorney fees. For a $500,000 estate, total probate often runs $25,000-$35,000.

Q: How long does probate take in Ohio?

Most Ohio estates take 6 to 12 months for full administration; a Release from Administration can finish in weeks to a couple of months.

How probate costs work in Ohio

Probate in Ohio runs through the Probate Court of the county where the person lived — Franklin (Columbus), Cuyahoga (Cleveland), Hamilton (Cincinnati), Summit (Akron), Montgomery (Dayton), Lucas (Toledo), or any of the state's 88 counties. The executor-fee rules are statewide; only the court filing fee varies by county.

Ohio's total probate cost usually falls between 4% and 7% of the estate. Ohio's headline feature is that the executor fee is set by a statutory tiered schedule — more predictable than states that use "reasonable" fees.

1. Executor fee — statutory, tiered (the main cost)

ORC § 2113.35: the executor is allowed 4% of the first $100,000, 3% of the next $300,000 (from $100k to $400k), and 2% above $400,000 — on personal property and any real estate sold by the estate — plus 1% on the value of real estate that is not sold.

On a $400,000 estate of personal property, that's $4,000 + $9,000 = $13,000; add 1% on a $100,000 house the family keeps and it's $14,000. Unlike North Carolina's discretionary commission, Ohio's is a fixed schedule — predictable. The executor can waive it (and family-member executors often do, since it's taxable income while an inheritance isn't).

2. Attorney fees — not statutory, but often benchmarked

Ohio sets no statewide attorney fee schedule. Instead, each county probate court's local rules suggest reasonable percentages — often similar to the executor schedule — and the court approves the fee (ORC § 2113.36). For a routine estate, attorney fees commonly run 2–4% of the estate.

3. Court filing & other costs

Each county Probate Court sets its own filing fee — roughly $100 for a Release from Administration to $400+ for full administration. Add notice-to-creditors publication, certified copies of Letters of Authority ($3–$10 each), and a bond premium if required.

4. When probate can be skipped in Ohio

Release from Administration — for a gross estate of $35,000 or less, rising to $100,000 when everything passes to the surviving spouse (ORC § 2113.03).
Summary Release from Administration — for very small estates of $5,000 or less (up to $45,000 to reimburse a surviving spouse for funeral expenses).

A living trust, joint ownership, or beneficiary designations (including transfer-on-death) avoid probate entirely. Note: Ohio has no estate tax and no inheritance tax (repealed in 2013) — only the federal estate tax applies.

Cost component	Ohio figure	Source
Executor fee	4% / 3% / 2% tiered + 1% unsold real estate	ORC § 2113.35
Attorney fee	Not statutory; county local rules (~2–4%)	ORC § 2113.36
Court filing fee	~$100–$400+ (by county)	County Probate Court
Release from Administration limit	$35,000 ($100,000 spouse-only)	ORC § 2113.03
State estate / inheritance tax	None (repealed 2013)	Ohio Dept. of Taxation

Ohio probate cost — frequently asked questions

How much does probate cost in Columbus / Franklin County?

The executor fee is the same statewide (ORC § 2113.35: 4%/3%/2% plus 1% on unsold real estate). Only the county filing fee differs. In Franklin County (Columbus), Cuyahoga (Cleveland) or Hamilton (Cincinnati), expect a $100–$400+ filing fee on top of the executor and attorney fees. For a $500,000 estate, total probate often runs $25,000–$35,000.

Are the 4% / 3% / 2% rates cumulative or tiered?

Tiered, not flat. On a $500,000 estate you don't pay 2% on the whole thing — you pay 4% on the first $100,000 ($4,000), 3% on the next $300,000 ($9,000), and 2% on the last $100,000 ($2,000), for $15,000 — plus 1% on any real estate the family keeps.

Is the executor fee in Ohio taxable?

Yes. The IRS treats the executor fee as ordinary income, not inheritance. That's why executors who are also heirs often waive it — the inheritance is generally tax-free, but the fee would be taxed at their income rate.

What is the small estate limit in Ohio?

Release from Administration is available for a gross estate of $35,000 or less, or $100,000 if everything passes to the surviving spouse (ORC § 2113.03). A Summary Release covers estates of $5,000 or less.

How long does probate take in Ohio?

Most Ohio estates take 6–12 months for full administration; a Release from Administration can finish in weeks to a couple of months.

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal or financial advice. Figures are based on the Ohio Revised Code (ORC § 2113.35, § 2113.36, § 2113.03) and typical county practice. The 1% on non-probate property, extraordinary compensation, bond premiums, appraisal and publication costs, and county-specific fees are not fully modeled here. Confirm current figures with the county Probate Court or a licensed Ohio attorney before acting.