The probate process is the formal process that occurs after a person’s death that wraps up final matters, such as paying last debts and distributing the decedent’s property in his or her estate to others. If the decedent had a will, the property goes to the stated beneficiaries. If the decedent did not have a will, the property goes to the decedent’s heirs according to Ohio’s intestacy laws. During this process, the decedent’s heirs, beneficiaries, and creditors are given notice of the death. Notice is also published in a local paper. Creditors have a limited amount of time to make claims against the estate. The executor is responsible for handling these claims and preparing necessary filings with the court, including an inventory of assets. At the end of the process, any remaining property is distributed to the heirs or beneficiaries.

If the decedent owned no property at the time of death or had a small estate, a full probate process may be unnecessary. A person inheriting property can submit an affidavit to the court that describes the estate assets, states all payment of burial and funeral expenses has been made, and asks to be given the property to which he or she is entitled. The court can issue an order that states no further administration of probate is necessary and that directs the person or entity holding the asset to provide it to the person making the request.