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Ohio Probate vs Living Trust Calculator

Compare what Ohio probate would actually cost your estate against the typical cost of setting up a living trust to avoid it.

Probate side: ORC § 2113.35 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Your Ohio estate

Enter your estate value — we'll estimate Ohio probate cost and compare it to a typical trust setup cost.

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Estimated Ohio probate cost vs trust setup
Probate (estimated)
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Living trust setup
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Is it worth it for me? →
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Ohio probate cost vs living trust cost

The probate side of this comparison reuses the same statutory figures as the Ohio Probate Cost Calculator: the tiered executor fee under ORC § 2113.35 (4% of the first $100,000, 3% of the next $300,000, 2% above $400,000, plus 1% on unsold real estate), typical attorney fees, and county court costs — together usually 4% to 7% of the estate. The trust side is market data, not a statutory figure: Ohio attorneys typically charge $1,200–$3,500 for a complete trust-based estate plan. See the full breakdown in Ohio Living Trust Setup Cost.

Note: unlike some states, Ohio's executor fee has no upper cap — it keeps applying at 2% indefinitely above $400,000, so probate cost keeps scaling with very large estates.

Ohio probate vs living trust — frequently asked questions

Is a living trust worth it in Ohio?

Often, yes, for estates large enough that Ohio's statutory executor fee (4%/3%/2% tiered, plus 1% on unsold real estate, under ORC § 2113.35) clearly exceeds the roughly $1,200–$3,500 typical trust setup cost. For a small estate that already qualifies for Release from Administration, a trust may not add much.

How much does Ohio probate cost compared to a living trust?

Ohio probate typically runs 4% to 7% of the estate — the statutory executor fee (4% of the first $100,000, 3% of the next $300,000, 2% above $400,000, plus 1% on unsold real estate), attorney fees, and county court costs. An Ohio living trust typically costs $1,200–$3,500 to set up with an attorney.

Does Ohio's tiered executor fee make a trust more or less valuable for large estates?

More valuable, generally. Because Ohio's fee schedule has no cap — it keeps applying at 2% indefinitely above $400,000 — the dollar cost of probate keeps growing with a large estate, while a trust's setup cost stays roughly fixed.

Ohio living trust tools & guides

Ohio Living Trust Setup CostThe market-rate breakdown Is a Living Trust Worth It in Ohio?A decision framework Ohio Living Trust Funding MistakesWhy trusts still fail to avoid probate Ohio Probate Cost CalculatorThe full statutory breakdown Ohio Probate Timeline CalculatorHow long probate would take

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal or financial advice. Probate-side figures are based on Ohio statute (ORC § 2113.35, § 2113.36). Trust-side figures are illustrative market rates, not a legal or statutory amount, and vary by attorney and estate complexity. Confirm current figures with a licensed Ohio estate planning attorney before acting.