Ohio R. Superi. Ct. 59

As amended through October 15, 2024

Rule 59 - Wills

(A) Before an application is made to admit the will to probate, to appoint an estate fiduciary, or to relieve an estate from administration, each applicant or the applicant's attorney shall examine the index of wills deposited pursuant to section 2107.07 of the Revised Code. Wills deposited pursuant to section 2107.07 of the Revised Code previous to the will offered for probate shall be filed in the estate proceedings for record purposes only.

(B) Fiduciaries appointed to administer testate estates shall file a Certificate of Service of Notice of Probate of Will (Standard Probate Form 2.4 ) within two months of their appointment or be subject to removal proceedings. If required by the court, proof of service shall consist of either waivers of notice of the probate of will or certified mail return receipt cards as provided under Civil Rule 73(E)(3), or if necessary, under Civil Rule 73(E)(4) and (5). A waiver of notice may not be signed by any minor, or on behalf of a minor sixteen or seventeen years of age. See Civil Rule 4.2.

Ohio. R. Superi. Ct. 59

Commentary (October 1, 1997)

This rule substantially revises former C.P. Sup. R. 26. The title of Sup. R. 59 has been amended because the subject matter of the rule is more inclusive.

The provisions of former C.P. Sup. R. 26(A) and (D) have been deleted to reflect the repeal of R.C. 2107.13 and 2107.14 and reflect the revised method of admitting a will to probate effective May 31, 1990.

Sup. R. 59(A) has been amended to reflect wills in safekeeping pursuant to R.C. 2107.07. Sup. R. 59(A) imposes a duty upon the applicant or his or her attorney to ascertain before applying to administer an estate if a will is in safekeeping. The purpose of this division is to: (1) make certain that an estate is not administered intestate when a will in safekeeping does exist, (2) make certain the decedent's last will and testament has been offered for probate, and (3) remove all prior wills of a decedent from safekeeping.

Sup. R. 59(B) is amended to require a timely filing of the "Certificate of Service of Notice of Probate of Will" so that the will contest period will expire prior to the time for the filing of the account. The amended rule also confirms that waivers of notice of probate of wills shall conform to Civil Rule 4(D).

Former C.P. Sup. R. 26(C) has been entirely deleted. The requirement of R.C. 109.26 and 109.29 are adequately provided for in Standard Probate Form 2.0.