With nearly two decades of experience in issuing surety bonds, our team has witnessed remarkable transformations within the industry. While we initially specialized in bail bonds, our primary focus now lies in civil bonds, particularly those for probate court. Traditionally, surety bonds were required to possess a raised corporate seal to be considered valid. However, in recent years, bond companies have been at the forefront of change, liberating the process from the necessity of original signatures and seals.
Every agent who signs a surety bond receives authority from the bonding company through a powerful document known as a Power of Attorney (POA). These POAs contain language authorized and adopted by the corporate officers of the bonding companies. Lately, bonding companies have taken a progressive step by incorporating language that authorizes both facsimile and electronic seals and signatures.
Moreover, POAs or bonds include corporate contact information, enabling the court or any interested party to effortlessly verify the bond’s validity. This revolutionary approach expedites the bond issuance process, significantly reducing costs for all stakeholders. It grants unparalleled convenience to both bond issuers and recipients. Agents can now simply email a PDF file, allowing clients to print out the bond at their convenience.
However, it is worth noting that although most courts still require an original signature from the bond principal even for emailed bonds, a remarkable shift has occurred in the mindset of progressive jurisdictions. Major Ohio counties such as Cuyahoga, Franklin, Lucas, Mahoning, and Summit have embraced this modern methodology, accepting bonds issued without a raised seal but with the client’s original signature. These counties recognize the advantages of efficiency, cost reduction, and convenience for all parties involved.
Unfortunately, some smaller more antiquated counties, including Butler, Lorain, Licking, Medina, Montgomery, Portage, and Stark, have yet to join the cutting-edge movement. Consequently, bond agents must resort to the outdated practice of mailing or overnighting bonds with raised seals, burdening all involved parties with unnecessary costs, delays, and inconveniences.
This discrepancy arises from a divergence in definitions surrounding electronic, emailed, and original bonds. While we consider an emailed bond to be electronic, it loses its electronic nature once printed. Furthermore, conflicting advice from court personnel compounds the confusion, making it impossible to seek clarification by contacting the court directly.
As a company committed to innovation and simplicity, we are determined to find a resolution that benefits everyone. To encourage change and reward progress, we extend an offer of appreciation to any attorney who can provide us with written confirmation from the courts of these counties, Butler, Lorain, Licking, Medina, Montgomery, Portage, or Stark, indicating their acceptance of our emailed bonds with only the client’s original signature and no raised seal. In gratitude for your assistance, we gladly pledge to treat your office to complimentary coffee and donuts, fostering a spirit of collaboration and forward-thinking.
At ProbateCourtBond.com, we relentlessly pursue convenience and efficiency in the bonding process. By embracing digital solutions and fostering open communication with legal professionals, we aim to lead the industry through these transformative times. Let us unite in our mission to simplify the system, with the ultimate goal of ensuring a seamless and progressive experience for all stakeholders involved.
How to apply for a probate court bond
Our agency issues more probate court bonds in a week than most agents do in a year. We offer online applications, quick response times, and the best pricing available. Apply online for a probate bond or Download PDF Probate Bond Application.
