Ohio Standard Probate Form 7.0 is the Application to Probate Will, the document the named executor or any interested person files in the county probate court to ask the judge to formally admit a deceased person’s last will and testament to probate. It opens the public court record of the estate, gives the executor legal authority to act, and starts the clock on creditor claims under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2107.
Filing the wrong version of Form 7.0, leaving the next-of-kin list blank, or missing the three-year window in R.C. 2107.10 can stop the estate cold and force the family to start over. Ohio’s 88 county probate courts process roughly 60,000 estate openings each year, and clerks reject a meaningful share of pro se Form 7.0 filings on the first pass for missing attachments or unsigned signature blocks, according to filing data published by the Ohio Supreme Court’s Office of Court Services.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📜 What Form 7.0 actually does, who must file it, and which Ohio statute requires it
- 🗂️ Every document, ID number, and piece of information you need before you start typing
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every box on the form, with sample entries you can copy
- 👨👩👧 Three full filled-out scenarios (surviving spouse, adult child, executor with minor heir)
- 🏛️ How to file in person, by mail, or through county e-filing portals, plus fees by county
- ⚠️ The 12 most common mistakes that get Form 7.0 rejected and how to dodge each one
What Form 7.0 Is and Who Must File It
Ohio Standard Probate Form 7.0 is the gateway pleading that asks the probate court to declare a will valid and admit it to probate. It is one of the standard forms required by Sup. R. 51 of the Ohio Rules of Superintendence, which means every county probate court in Ohio must accept it in the exact format published by the Supreme Court. The current revision printed in the lower-left corner of the form reads Form 7.0 – Application to Probate Will, and most counties are using the version last amended by the Supreme Court’s Commission on the Rules of Superintendence.
The person who files Form 7.0 is called the applicant. The applicant is usually the executor named inside the will, but R.C. 2107.11 lets any person who has the will or who has an interest in the estate file the application. That means a surviving spouse, an adult child, a creditor, or even a friend who was given the original will for safekeeping can be the applicant. The applicant does not have to be the same person who later serves as executor or administrator.
Form 7.0 must be filed in the probate court of the Ohio county where the decedent was domiciled at the time of death. Domicile means the decedent’s true, fixed, permanent home, not a vacation property or a hospital where they happened to die. If the decedent lived in a nursing home in Cuyahoga County but kept their legal residence in Lake County, the application goes to the Lake County Probate Court. Filing in the wrong county forces a transfer and resets the timeline.
The form does only one thing: it asks the judge to admit the will. It does not appoint the executor. Appointment happens through Form 4.0 (Application for Authority to Administer Estate), which most filers submit at the same time. Confusing the two is the single most common reason a pro se application gets bounced at the counter.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Walking into the probate court without the right paperwork is the fastest way to lose a morning. Form 7.0 is short, but it leans on outside documents that the clerk will demand at the window, and missing even one will send you home. The pre-filing checklist below is the same one used by deputy clerks at the Franklin County Probate Court when they screen new estates.
- The original signed will and any codicils. Photocopies are not enough. R.C. 2107.18 requires the original document, and a lost-will proceeding under R.C. 2107.26 is a separate, slower process.
- A certified death certificate. Order it from the Ohio Department of Health vital records office or the local registrar. Uncertified copies are rejected.
- The decedent’s full legal name, including maiden and former names. The court will index the estate under each one.
- The decedent’s last residence address and county of domicile. This determines venue.
- The decedent’s date of birth and date of death. Both must match the death certificate exactly.
- A list of the surviving spouse, children, and next of kin under R.C. 2105.06. Include full legal names, ages of any minors, and current addresses. This list also goes on Form 1.0.
- The names and addresses of the witnesses to the will. You need them in case the will is not self-proving and the court calls them in to testify.
- An estimated value of the probate estate. A rough figure is fine for Form 7.0, but it sets the bond amount on Form 4.0.
- A government-issued photo ID for the applicant. Counties cross-check it against the signature.
- The filing fee in the form the county accepts. Cuyahoga and Hamilton counties take credit cards; smaller counties may demand cash, check, or money order only.
Skipping any of these items costs time. The clerk will not “hold” your file open; you will refile from scratch.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official PDF lives on the Ohio Supreme Court’s website under the Standard Probate Forms library. The Court hosts both the fillable PDF and a flat print version, and every county is required to accept the Supreme Court’s master version without alteration. Downloading from a third-party legal forms website is risky because those copies are sometimes outdated and missing the updated next-of-kin language.
Most counties also publish their own copy on the probate court’s website, often bundled with a county-specific cover sheet or local rule attachment. The Cuyahoga County Probate Court, Hamilton County Probate Court, Summit County Probate Court, and Montgomery County Probate Court all keep current libraries. If your county adds a local cover sheet, attach it on top of Form 7.0 or your file may be rejected for local rule noncompliance.
You can also pick up a paper copy at the probate court’s filing window. Counter staff can hand you the form, but they cannot help you fill it out. Sup. R. 8 and the unauthorized-practice rules in R.C. 4705.01 bar clerks from giving legal advice, even basic guidance on which boxes to check.
If you plan to e-file, confirm the county portal accepts probate matters. As of 2026, Franklin, Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Lucas, and a growing list of mid-sized counties accept probate e-filings through portals like eFileOhio or county-built systems, while many rural counties remain paper-only. Always download a fresh copy of the form the day you intend to file. Older copies floating on a hard drive may carry an outdated revision date that the clerk’s automated intake system flags.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Ohio Form 7.0 Line by Line
The form fits on a single page, but every box matters. Work in the order printed on the form, top to bottom, left to right, and use black ink if you are filing on paper. Do not staple anything to the form before filing; clerks will pull the staples to scan it.
Caption: Court Name and County
What it asks in plain English. The very top of the form has a blank line that reads “IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, PROBATE DIVISION, _ COUNTY, OHIO.” You are telling the court which county is hearing the case.
How to answer it. Print the county of the decedent’s domicile in all caps, with no abbreviations. FRANKLIN is correct; Frank. is not. Do not write “Ohio” again on this line because the form already prints it.
Example entry. Maria Lopez, whose mother died at home in Worthington, writes FRANKLIN on the county line because Worthington sits in Franklin County.
Nuance or edge case. If the decedent split time between Florida and Ohio, you must establish Ohio domicile under R.C. 2101.24. Snowbirds who voted in Ohio, kept an Ohio driver’s license, and filed Ohio taxes are domiciled in Ohio even if they died in Florida.
Common mistake and consequence. Writing the county where the decedent died (often the hospital county) instead of the county of domicile. The clerk will reject the filing or, worse, accept it and force a costly transfer later.
Misconception. Many filers think they can pick the county that is most convenient. They cannot. Probate venue is fixed by the decedent’s last legal residence.
Estate of [Decedent’s Full Legal Name]
What it asks in plain English. The “Estate of” line is the official caption that names the deceased person.
How to answer it. Print the decedent’s full legal name in all caps, exactly as it appears on the death certificate. Include middle name and suffix (Jr., III) if any. ROBERT JAMES O’CONNOR JR. is correct.
Example entry. Aisha Patel writes ROBERT JAMES O’CONNOR JR. because that is the name on her stepfather’s death certificate, even though everyone called him Bob.
Nuance or edge case. If the decedent used multiple names (a maiden name, a stage name, or an Americanized name), add aka entries. ROBERT JAMES O’CONNOR JR., aka BOB O’CONNOR preserves the chain of title for any property titled under either name.
Common mistake and consequence. Using a nickname or a shortened name. The clerk indexes the estate under that name, and any later title search by a real-estate buyer or bank will miss the estate, freezing closings.
Misconception. Filers think a small typo can be fixed later with a phone call. It cannot. Correcting an estate caption requires a motion and an entry signed by the judge.
Case Number Box (Top Right)
What it asks in plain English. A blank box marked “Case No.” sits in the upper right.
How to answer it. Leave it blank. The clerk assigns the case number when you file.
Example entry. Marcus Reed, filing his father’s will, leaves the box empty; the clerk stamps in 2026 ES 0004217.
Nuance or edge case. Some counties pre-print a barcode sticker that the clerk applies. Do not write over the sticker.
Common mistake and consequence. Guessing or copying a case number from another estate. The intake system flags duplicates, and your file goes to the bottom of the review queue.
Misconception. Some filers think they can reserve a case number in advance by phone. Ohio counties do not pre-assign numbers.
Paragraph 1: Applicant’s Statement and Decedent’s Death
What it asks in plain English. This block reads, in substance, “Applicant states that decedent died on _ at ___.”
How to answer it. Fill in the date of death using MM/DD/YYYY format and the city and county of death. Use the date and place printed on the death certificate, not the date the family was notified.
Example entry. Janet Kim writes 03/14/2026 and Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio because her aunt died at Riverside Methodist Hospital on that date.
Nuance or edge case. If the decedent died abroad, write the foreign city and country, then attach a translated death certificate authenticated under the Hague Apostille Convention.
Common mistake and consequence. Mixing up the date of death with the date the body was found. They are sometimes different, and only the death certificate’s date controls.
Misconception. Filers think they must list time of death. The form asks only for the date.
Paragraph 2: Decedent’s Last Residence
What it asks in plain English. The next line asks for the decedent’s last residence address.
How to answer it. Write the full street address, city, county, state, and ZIP. Do not use a P.O. Box because residence must be a physical address.
Example entry. Carlos Rivera writes 742 Maple Avenue, Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio 44118 for his grandmother’s last residence.
Nuance or edge case. If the decedent lived in an assisted-living facility, list the facility address but be ready to prove domicile with prior tax returns or voter registration if a relative challenges venue.
Common mistake and consequence. Listing the executor’s address instead of the decedent’s. The court treats that as a venue defect and may transfer or dismiss.
Misconception. Some filers think a snowbird’s Florida condo address is fine if that’s where the decedent died. It is not, unless Florida domicile is established.
Paragraph 3: The Will and Codicils
What it asks in plain English. This paragraph says, “Decedent left a will dated _, and codicil(s) dated ___, which accompanies this application.”
How to answer it. Enter the date printed on the will itself in MM/DD/YYYY format. List each codicil on its own line with its own date. If there is no codicil, write None or draw a single line through the codicil blank.
Example entry. 01/22/2018 for the will and 11/05/2022 for a codicil that updated the executor.
Nuance or edge case. If the will is undated, you must prove its date by witness testimony under R.C. 2107.06 before it can be admitted.
Common mistake and consequence. Listing the date the will was signed by the witnesses instead of the date executed by the testator when the dates differ. The court treats the testator’s signature date as controlling.
Misconception. Filers think a notarization stamp date is the will date. It is not; the testator’s signature date is.
Paragraph 4: Surviving Spouse, Children, and Next of Kin
What it asks in plain English. This is the heart of the form. It asks you to list the surviving spouse, children, and next of kin under R.C. 2105.06, including their addresses and whether each is a minor or under disability.
How to answer it. Use the same list you prepared for Form 1.0. Print each person’s full legal name, full address, age (if a minor), and relationship to the decedent. If space runs out, attach a continuation sheet labeled “Continuation of Item 4.”
Example entry. Maria Lopez, 1820 High Street, Columbus, OH 43201, daughter, age 34 and Diego Lopez, 1820 High Street, Columbus, OH 43201, son, age 11 (minor).
Nuance or edge case. If a child predeceased the decedent leaving descendants, list those descendants under R.C. 2105.06(F) (per stirpes). Skipping a deceased child’s children is one of the most common errors.
Common mistake and consequence. Leaving off an estranged or unknown heir to “keep things simple.” Omitting an heir is grounds to vacate the admission of the will under R.C. 2107.71 and exposes the executor to personal liability.
Misconception. Filers think only beneficiaries named in the will need to appear here. The list is statutory next of kin, not just devisees.
Paragraph 5: Estimated Value of the Estate
What it asks in plain English. A small block asks for the estimated value of the personal property and the real estate in the estate.
How to answer it. Enter rounded estimates. Personal property: $85,000. Real estate: $310,000. Use fair market value, not tax-appraised value.
Example entry. Janet Kim writes Personal: $42,500 and Real estate: $0 because her aunt rented her apartment.
Nuance or edge case. Jointly titled real estate, payable-on-death accounts, and life insurance with named beneficiaries are non-probate and do not belong in this estimate.
Common mistake and consequence. Inflating the estimate to “be safe.” The bond on Form 4.0 is sized off this figure, and a higher estimate means a more expensive bond.
Misconception. Filers think the estimate locks them in. It does not; the inventory on Form 6.0 is the binding number.
Signature Block
What it asks in plain English. The applicant signs and prints their name, address, and phone number, with attorney information if represented.
How to answer it. Sign in blue or black ink on paper, or apply your e-signature on the portal. Print the name and address below the signature line. If an attorney is filing, the attorney also signs, prints their Ohio Supreme Court attorney registration number, and lists the firm address.
Example entry. Maria Lopez, 1820 High Street, Columbus, OH 43201, (614) 555-0144.
Nuance or edge case. Co-applicants (such as two siblings filing together) each sign on the same line block. Both names go on the case caption.
Common mistake and consequence. Signing in pencil or on the wrong line. Pencil signatures are rejected as not durable, and a misplaced signature can be read as not adopting the application.
Misconception. Filers think a notary is required. Ohio does not require notarization of Form 7.0 itself; the verification under penalty of perjury under R.C. 2921.13 is built into the signature.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three filers below cover the most common Form 7.0 fact patterns. Each table shows the major fields and the exact entry the filer makes.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Surviving Daughter Probating a Simple Will
Maria’s mother lived in Columbus, owned a paid-off house, and left a will naming Maria as executor. There is one minor sibling.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| County (caption) | FRANKLIN |
| Estate of | ELENA LOPEZ, aka ELENA RUIZ LOPEZ |
| Case No. | (left blank) |
| Date and place of death | 03/14/2026, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio |
| Last residence | 1820 High Street, Columbus, OH 43201 |
| Date of will | 06/12/2019 (no codicil) |
| Surviving spouse | None (predeceased 2021) |
| Next of kin | Maria Lopez, 1820 High St., Columbus, OH 43201, daughter, 34; Diego Lopez, same address, son, 11 (minor) |
| Estimated estate value | Personal: $48,000; Real estate: $245,000 |
| Applicant signature | Maria Lopez, (614) 555-0144 |
Scenario 2: Marcus Reed, Adult Son Filing Where a Sibling Is Named Executor
Marcus’s father died in Cuyahoga County. The will names Marcus’s older sister, Tanya, as executor, but Marcus has the original will and wants to start the case.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| County (caption) | CUYAHOGA |
| Estate of | JAMES ALAN REED |
| Case No. | (left blank) |
| Date and place of death | 02/02/2026, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio |
| Last residence | 742 Maple Ave., Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 |
| Date of will | 09/30/2014, codicil 04/18/2021 |
| Surviving spouse | None (divorced 2010) |
| Next of kin | Tanya Reed-Brooks, 9 Hilltop Dr., Solon, OH 44139, daughter, 41; Marcus Reed, 18 Oak Ln., Lakewood, OH 44107, son, 38 |
| Estimated estate value | Personal: $112,000; Real estate: $0 |
| Applicant signature | Marcus Reed, (216) 555-0173 |
Marcus files Form 7.0 only. Tanya separately files Form 4.0 to be appointed executor.
Scenario 3: Aisha Patel, Named Executor with a Minor Heir
Aisha is the executor named in her stepfather’s will. One beneficiary is her 9-year-old half-brother. The estate includes a small business.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| County (caption) | HAMILTON |
| Estate of | ROBERT JAMES O’CONNOR JR. |
| Case No. | (left blank) |
| Date and place of death | 01/07/2026, Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio |
| Last residence | 55 Eastview Pl., Cincinnati, OH 45208 |
| Date of will | 11/22/2023 |
| Surviving spouse | Priya O’Connor, same address, age 47 |
| Next of kin | Priya O’Connor, spouse; Aisha Patel, 12 Bridge St., Cincinnati, OH 45202, stepdaughter, 29; Liam O’Connor, 55 Eastview Pl., son, 9 (minor) |
| Estimated estate value | Personal: $410,000 (incl. business); Real estate: $525,000 |
| Applicant signature | Aisha Patel, (513) 555-0190 |
Because Liam is a minor, Aisha must also serve a copy of the application on a guardian ad litem, and the court will likely appoint one under R.C. 2111.23.
How to File the Completed Form
Ohio gives you three filing channels, and the right one depends on the county. Always call the probate court’s main intake line the morning of filing to confirm the county’s current procedure, because local rules change without statewide notice.
In person at the probate court window. Bring the original will, the certified death certificate, two copies of Form 7.0, and your photo ID. Filing fees run from about $100 in small rural counties to $235 in Cuyahoga County and $170 in Franklin County. Most counties accept cash, check, money order, and increasingly credit cards (with a 3% convenience fee). The clerk stamps your copy as proof of filing; keep that copy in the estate binder.
By U.S. mail. Send the original will (use certified mail, return receipt requested), the certified death certificate, the signed Form 7.0, and a check made payable to the county probate court. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can mail back a stamped copy. Mail to the probate court’s filing address; for example, Franklin County Probate Court, 373 South High Street, 22nd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215. Processing usually takes 5 to 10 business days.
Through county e-filing. eFileOhio and similar portals in Hamilton, Lucas, Cuyahoga, and Summit counties accept Form 7.0 as a PDF upload. You still must deliver the original will to the court physically, because R.C. 2107.18 requires the original. Most portals charge an additional $3–$5 technology fee on top of the statutory filing fee. Save the portal confirmation email; it is your proof of filing.
Across all three channels, the proof-of-filing document is what protects you if the court later misplaces a record. Store it with the will copy and the death certificate.
What Happens After You File
Once Form 7.0 is filed, the court schedules an admission hearing, which is sometimes a paper review and sometimes a brief in-person hearing. If the will is self-proving under R.C. 2107.084 (notarized affidavit attached at signing), the judge usually admits it without calling witnesses. If not, the court contacts the witnesses to testify or sign affidavits.
After admission, the judge signs Form 8.0 (Entry Admitting Will to Probate). That entry is the legal proof the will is valid. The clerk then mails or e-mails certified copies to the executor and any party who requested one.
The next step is appointment. The named executor files Form 4.0 with the bond (or waiver of bond), and the court issues Letters of Authority on Form 4.5. Those letters are what banks, the BMV, and title companies want to see.
The estate then runs on the standard timeline: inventory in 3 months under R.C. 2115.02, creditor claims period of 6 months under R.C. 2117.06, and final account due within 6 to 13 months depending on whether the estate is full or summary release.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Form 7.0 looks short, but each line is a trap. The errors below are the ones probate magistrates flag most often.
- Filing in the wrong county. Venue is fixed by the decedent’s domicile, and a misfiled application must be transferred or dismissed.
- Filing a copy of the will instead of the original. R.C. 2107.18 requires the original; a copy triggers a lost-will proceeding.
- Listing the date of notarization as the date of the will. Only the testator’s signature date controls.
- Omitting next of kin who are not beneficiaries. Statutory heirs must be listed even if disinherited, or admission can be vacated.
- Forgetting to mark a minor heir. Minors require a guardian ad litem, and skipping the disclosure delays appointment.
- Inflating the estimated estate value. A higher estimate forces a larger executor bond and higher premiums.
- Using a P.O. Box for the decedent’s residence. Residence must be a physical address.
- Signing in pencil. Pencil signatures are not accepted in any Ohio probate court.
- Forgetting the certified death certificate. Uncertified copies are rejected at intake.
- Stapling the will to Form 7.0 before filing. Clerks must scan documents, and staples force them to disassemble the file.
- Missing the R.C. 2107.10 three-year window. Wills offered more than three years after death are barred except in narrow exceptions.
- Failing to attach a county cover sheet where the local court requires one, which causes automatic rejection under local rule.
Each of these errors costs days, sometimes weeks, and almost always a second trip to the courthouse.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s: – Do download a fresh copy of Form 7.0 from the Ohio Supreme Court Probate Forms page the day you file, because revision dates change. – Do call the county probate clerk to confirm the current filing fee, because counties update fees yearly. – Do match every name and date on Form 7.0 to the death certificate exactly. – Do file Form 1.0 at the same time, because the next-of-kin list must be sworn. – Do keep a stamped copy of every filed page in a single estate binder. – Do bring extra blank check stock if your county takes only checks, because fees change.
Don’ts: – Don’t guess at heirs. Confirm with family before listing, because an omission can void the admission. – Don’t write nicknames in the caption. Indexing breaks and title searches fail. – Don’t sign the form before you reach the courthouse if the clerk requires a witnessed signature; some counties want it signed at the counter. – Don’t write on the original will. Any mark can be read as an attempted alteration under R.C. 2107.33. – Don’t use a power-of-attorney to file. A POA dies with the principal and has no force after death. – Don’t ignore the three-year rule in R.C. 2107.10. Late wills are barred except for limited title-correction purposes.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many Ohio families file Form 7.0 pro se, and the form is designed to be filer-friendly. Still, hiring a probate attorney has real benefits, especially in larger estates.
Pros of filing yourself: – You save attorney fees, which in Ohio typically run $2,500–$5,000 for routine estates under the Sup. R. 71 fee guidelines. – You control the timeline and don’t wait for an attorney’s calendar. – You learn the estate’s details firsthand, which speeds later steps. – You can use the Ohio Legal Help self-help probate tool for free guidance. – You can ask the probate magistrate procedural (not legal) questions at most counter windows.
Cons of filing yourself: – A single mistake on the next-of-kin list can vacate the admission and expose you to liability. – You must learn the post-admission steps (inventory, creditor claims, account) without a guide. – Banks sometimes resist pro se executors and demand attorney letters before releasing funds. – A contested will quickly outpaces a layperson’s ability to draft pleadings and conduct discovery. – You lose the attorney-client privilege protection on sensitive family communications.
A common middle path is unbundled legal services, where an attorney reviews your Form 7.0 packet before filing for a flat fee but does not enter an appearance.
Form 7.0 vs. Form 5.0 (Application to Relieve Estate)
| Feature | Form 7.0 | Form 5.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Admit a will to probate | Skip full administration when the estate is small |
| Statute | R.C. 2107.11 | R.C. 2113.03 |
| Requires original will | Yes | Only if a will exists |
| Triggers executor appointment | No, Form 4.0 does | No, but releases the estate from administration |
| Typical use | Most testate estates | Estates under $35,000 (or $100,000 for surviving spouse) |
The two forms are not interchangeable. Many small-estate filers use both: Form 7.0 to admit the will, then Form 5.0 to ask the court to release the estate from full administration.
FAQs
Do I have to file Form 7.0 if the will leaves everything to a surviving spouse?
Yes. A will must still be admitted to clear title, even when the spouse inherits everything. Filing Form 7.0 establishes the will publicly and protects the chain of title.
Can I file Form 7.0 without an attorney?
Yes. Ohio allows pro se applicants under R.C. 2107.11. Counter staff can answer procedural questions but not legal ones, so prepare carefully.
What if I cannot find the original will?
No, you cannot file a photocopy on Form 7.0. You must open a lost-will proceeding under R.C. 2107.26, which requires extra evidence and witnesses.
Do I list the executor’s address or the decedent’s address in the residence box?
No to the executor’s address. Box 2 asks for the decedent’s last residence only. Putting the executor’s address there is treated as a venue defect.
Should I include adult children who were disinherited in the next-of-kin list?
Yes. Statutory heirs under R.C. 2105.06 must appear, even if the will gives them nothing. Omitting them risks vacatur.
Do I write the will date or the codicil date in Paragraph 3?
Yes to both, on separate lines. The will date goes first; each codicil gets its own dated line beneath it.
Is Form 7.0 the same as Form 4.0?
No. Form 7.0 admits the will. Form 4.0 appoints the executor. Most filers submit them together, but they do different jobs.
Can I file Form 7.0 online?
Yes, in counties with e-filing portals like eFileOhio, but the original will must still be physically delivered to the court.
Does Form 7.0 require notarization?
No. The signature serves as a sworn statement under R.C. 2921.13. A notary stamp is not required.
How long do I have to file Form 7.0 after death?
No strict deadline exists, but R.C. 2107.10 bars admitting wills offered more than three years after death except for narrow title purposes.
Do I need to list a minor heir’s age in Box 4?
Yes. The court must know whether a guardian ad litem is needed. Write the age in years, and add the word (minor).
What if the decedent died in another state but owned Ohio property?
Yes, you can use Form 7.0 in Ohio as part of an ancillary administration under R.C. 2129.04, filed in the Ohio county where the property sits.
Does filing Form 7.0 freeze the decedent’s bank accounts?
No. Banks freeze accounts on death notice, not on Form 7.0 filing. Accounts unfreeze when the executor presents Letters of Authority from Form 4.5.
Can two siblings file Form 7.0 together as co-applicants?
Yes. Both sign the application and both names appear in the caption. Co-applicants can later seek joint appointment as co-executors on Form 4.0.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Ohio Form C-5 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Probate Form 1.0 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Probate Form 11.0 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Probate Form 2.0 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Probate Form 4.0 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Probate Form 8.0 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Arkansas Petition for Probate of Will (w/Examples) + FAQs