Need help? Call +1 234-501-2663 (234-501-BOND) Email [email protected]
The Probate Bond Experts
Licensed to issue executor, administrator, guardianship, conservator, and trustee bonds across all 88 Ohio counties. Fast approval, competitive rates, and real probate expertise.
Get pricing instantly based on your court requirements.
Complete a short application. Most people finish in just a few minutes.
When approved, bond issued within 24 hours or instant when qualified.
A probate court bond protecting heirs. Includes the executor bond (with a will), administrator bond (no will), and general personal representative bond.
learn more
A court fiduciary bond protecting incapacitated adults. Includes the guardianship bond and financial conservator bond to prevent asset exploitation.
learn more
A probate surety bond protecting kids' assets. Includes the guardianship bond for minors and guardian of the estate bond to preserve funds.
learn more
A fiduciary surety bond protecting beneficiaries. Includes the trustee bond (or trust bond) to ensure legal, ethical trust management.
learn more
Probate matters in Ohio are handled by the Probate Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Every one of Ohio's 88 counties has its own Probate Division. The Probate Court has jurisdiction over the administration of decedents' estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, adoptions, marriage licenses, and mental competency determinations.
The governing statutes for fiduciary bonds are found in Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2109. ORC 2109.02 requires court appointment before a fiduciary may act. ORC 2109.04 sets the bond requirement: every fiduciary must file a bond before receiving their Letters of Authority. The bond amount is set by the court but may not be less than double the probable value of the personal property and annual real property rentals that will come under the fiduciary's control.
Ohio probate judges are elected to six-year terms on a nonpartisan ballot. Each county except Cuyahoga has one probate judge, while Cuyahoga County has two. Ohio repealed its state estate tax effective January 1, 2013, so most estates owe no estate tax and only very large estates face the federal estate tax.
Under ORC 2109.04, the Ohio probate court sets the bond amount for each case, but the statute establishes a floor: the bond must be no less than double the probable value of the personal property and the annual real property rentals that will come into the fiduciary's possession or control.
Ohio law provides several paths to waive or reduce the bond requirement under ORC 2109.04, 2109.07, and 2109.09:
Filing an Ohio probate bond follows a structured process set by ORC Chapter 2109 and local court rules:
The cost of an Ohio probate bond is a premium paid annually to the surety company. The premium is a small percentage of the bond amount and is influenced by the fiduciary's credit profile and the size of the bond.
Beyond the standard executor, administrator, guardianship, conservator, and trustee bonds, Ohio probate practice includes several additional bond types:
Ohio does not issue a separate professional fiduciary license, but all adult guardians across the state must meet uniform standards under the Ohio Rules of Superintendence 66.01 through 66.09, effective statewide since June 1, 2015. These rules apply in every one of Ohio's 88 counties and sit on top of the bond requirement in ORC Chapter 2109.
You can check pricing or apply online once you know the bond type ordered by the court. Applications must match the bond type and amount specified in your court order or legal documents.
APPLY NOWUnder Ohio Revised Code 2109.04, most fiduciaries must file a bond before the court issues their Letters of Authority. This includes executors, administrators, guardians, conservators, and testamentary trustees. The bond must be on file and court-approved before you can legally begin your duties.
Each of Ohio's 88 counties has a Probate Division of its Court of Common Pleas. The probate court in the county where the deceased person lived at the time of death, or where the ward resides, has jurisdiction over the estate or guardianship.
Under ORC 2109.04, the bond must be at least double the probable value of the personal property and the annual real property rentals that will come under the fiduciary's control. The individual probate judge sets the final amount and may go above that minimum. Real estate itself is generally excluded from the calculation.
Yes. Under ORC 2109.09, no bond is required of an executor who is the next of kin and is entitled to the entire net proceeds of the estate, unless the will specifies otherwise. Similarly, under ORC 2109.07, no bond is required of a surviving spouse appointed as administrator who is entitled to the entire estate.
Yes. If all adult beneficiaries who are capable of consenting agree in writing to waive the bond, the court may grant the waiver. This option is not available when any beneficiary is a minor, incapacitated, or unascertainable, because in those cases the bond is needed to protect the vulnerable party.
Yes, in most cases. Under ORC 2109.04(A)(2), if the will or trust instrument dispenses with bond, the court shall appoint the fiduciary without bond unless the court believes the interest of the trust demands it. Most Ohio wills drafted by an attorney waive the executor's bond, but courts retain discretion to require one anyway.
Under ORC 2109.06, the Ohio probate court may require an additional or increased bond at any time during administration if the estate value increases, for example due to newly discovered assets, an inheritance, or a favorable lawsuit outcome. The fiduciary must comply or risk removal.
Under ORC 2109.04, the guardian's bond must be at least double the probable value of the ward's personal property plus double the annual real property rentals. For example, a ward with $150,000 in personal property and $6,000 in annual rental income would require a minimum bond of $312,000.
Yes. Under ORC 2109.04(A)(4), when the probable value of the ward's personal property and annual real property rentals is less than $10,000, the court may waive or reduce the bond. This is at the court's discretion, not automatic.
The premium is typically 0.5% to 0.8% of the bond amount per year for well-qualified applicants. A $100,000 bond costs roughly $500 to $800 annually. Minimum premiums of about $75 to $100 apply for very small bonds. The premium is generally reimbursable from estate assets as an administration expense.
Ohio probate courts require the original signed bond document. The bond must be signed by the fiduciary and by the corporate surety (or two personal sureties) and must include any witness signatures required by the court. The court will not issue Letters of Authority until the original is on file.
The bond must remain in place until the court formally discharges the fiduciary. For estates, this is when the final account is approved and assets are fully distributed. For guardianships, the bond stays in force until the guardianship is terminated, when the ward turns 18, passes away, regains competency, or the court otherwise closes the case.
The Ohio Supreme Court has standardized probate forms used statewide. The relevant bond forms are Standard Probate Form 4.2 (fiduciary's bond for executors and administrators) and Form 15.3 (guardian's bond). These are available from your county's probate court clerk or the Ohio Supreme Court website.
If the named executor cannot qualify for a surety bond, the court may appoint the alternate executor named in the will, or follow Ohio's statutory priority order of surviving spouse, next of kin, then creditors. In some cases, the court may allow the executor to serve if estate assets are placed in a restricted account, which removes the need for a bond.
Ohio does not issue a separate professional fiduciary license, but all adult guardians must meet statewide standards under Rules of Superintendence 66.01 through 66.09, including a criminal background check, a six-hour fundamentals course, and annual continuing education. Bank and trust company fiduciaries regulated by the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions are generally exempt from posting a personal surety bond, while individual fiduciaries are not.
Not always. If the probate estate is $35,000 or less, or $100,000 or less when the surviving spouse is the sole heir, the estate may qualify for Release from Administration under ORC 2113.03. That process distributes the assets without appointing a bonded executor or administrator, so no probate bond is required.
Yes, with conditions. Under ORC 2109.21, a nonresident may serve as an Ohio executor or administrator if they are related to the decedent by blood, marriage, or adoption. Many Ohio probate courts require an out-of-state fiduciary to post a bond even when an in-state fiduciary would be exempt, because the surety adds security when the fiduciary lives outside the court's reach.
In some cases, yes. Under ORC 2109.13, the probate court may direct that suitable personal property be deposited with an approved bank or trust company under the court's control. The court can then set the bond to cover only the remaining unrestricted assets, which lowers or eliminates the premium on the restricted portion.
I offer practical solutions across insurance, bonds, business services, and investigations, tailored to support professionals and entrepreneurs.
Offering reliable bonds with referrals to our nationwide network of trusted agents for seamless service.
APPLY FOR BOND
Developing AI-driven comparisons of insurance through a nationwide network of independent agents.
FIND OUT MORE
Providing tailored insurance for childcare providers, pest control, private investigators, and other unique business needs.
LET'S WORK TOGETHER
Offering fully furnished mountain retreats for long-term stays, providing a peaceful and comfortable getaway in the heart of nature.
LET'S WORK TOGETHER
Driving growth and visibility with tailored strategies, custom solutions, and a nationwide network to support your business needs.
LET'S WORK TOGETHER
Offering expert services for the mortgage default industry and conducting thorough investigations for missing heirs.
FIND OUT MOREFind Ohio Probate Courts by County
Once you have your bond, or if you need court addresses, phone numbers, filing hours, and local forms, visit our Ohio probate court directory. We list every county court in Ohio with contact information and links to local forms.
Ohio Probate Court Directory