Quick answer: the deadline that matters most in Ohio is the six-month creditor claim window, which runs from the date of death itself — not from publication, and not from when an executor gets appointed. See the full Ohio probate timeline calculator for your specific estimate.
The core deadlines, in order
| Deadline | Ohio rule | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Creditor claim window | 6 months from date of death | ORC § 2117.06(B) |
| Claims barred after deadline | Forever barred as to all parties | § 2117.06(C) |
| Executor allows/rejects claim | Within 30 days of presentation | § 2117.06(D) |
| Creditor sues after rejection | 2 months from rejection | § 2117.12 |
| Medicaid recovery exception | Not subject to the 6-month rule | § 2117.061 |
Why the date-of-death anchor is distinctive
Many states start the creditor clock at publication of a formal notice, which the executor controls the timing of to some degree. Ohio doesn't work that way: the six-month window under § 2117.06 runs from the date of death itself, "whether or not the estate is released from administration or an executor or administrator is appointed during that six-month period." That means the clock is already running before anyone is even formally appointed to handle the estate — there's no way to delay it by waiting to open the estate.
Two separate deadlines after a claim is presented
Once a creditor presents a claim, the executor has 30 days to allow or reject it. If rejected, the creditor then has a separate two-month window to actually sue on it — missing that second deadline bars the claim just as surely as missing the original six-month presentation window would have.
A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.