Ohio Standard Probate Form 8.0 — Application to Probate Will is the one-page document an applicant files with the county probate court to officially open the will of a deceased Ohio resident and start the probate process under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2107. The form is part of the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Standard Probate Forms required by Sup. R. 51, and the most recent statewide revision date printed on the form is 1/1/2014. Filing it correctly is the doorway to admitting the will, appointing the executor, and protecting the estate’s heirs.
Ohio probate courts open more than 40,000 estates each year, and clerks reject a meaningful share of Form 8.0 filings on first submission for missing next-of-kin entries, missing original wills, and wrong county venue. A small mistake here can delay a grieving family’s access to a home, a bank account, or a life insurance benefit by weeks.
Here’s what this guide covers:
- 📜 What Form 8.0 does and exactly who must file it under Ohio law
- 🗂️ Every document and ID number you need before you start typing
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every field, box, and signature line on the form
- 👨👩👧 Three real-world filled-out examples (spouse, adult child, named executor)
- ⚖️ Filing channels, fees, deadlines, common mistakes, and 12+ FAQs
What Form 8.0 Is and Who Must File It
Ohio Standard Probate Form 8.0 is the Application to Probate Will. It is the formal request asking a county probate court to admit a decedent’s last will and testament to probate, find that the will is valid, and begin administration of the estate. The form is required statewide by Sup. R. 51 and used in all 88 Ohio counties, although intake procedures vary slightly between courts like Franklin County Probate Court, Cuyahoga County Probate Court, Hamilton County Probate Court, and Summit County Probate Court.
Any person with an interest in the estate may apply. In practice, that usually means the executor named in the will, but it can also be the surviving spouse, an adult child, a creditor, or a named legatee. The applicant does not have to be an Ohio resident, but the decedent must have been domiciled in Ohio (or have left real property in Ohio) for the county court to have jurisdiction under R.C. 2107.11.
The applicant is signing under oath. By signing Form 8.0, the applicant swears the will is the decedent’s last known will, that the named heirs and next of kin are correct, and that the estimated estate values are accurate to the best of the applicant’s knowledge. Lying on the form can be charged as falsification under R.C. 2921.13.
Ohio sets a hard outer deadline. Under R.C. 2107.76, a will generally must be presented for probate within three years of the decedent’s death, or it loses its power to transfer property. Form 8.0 is the vehicle that beats that deadline.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Open Form 8.0 only after you have gathered the items below. Filing without them is the single biggest cause of rejected applications in busy courts like Cuyahoga County and Franklin County.
- The original signed will. Probate courts will not accept a photocopy except in rare lost-will proceedings under R.C. 2107.26. Without the original, the application stalls.
- Any codicils. Each amendment to the will must be filed with the original, in date order, or the court cannot determine the decedent’s final intent.
- A certified copy of the death certificate. Order it from the Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics or the local health district. Photocopies are not accepted.
- Decedent’s full legal name, address, date of birth, date of death, and Social Security number. The court uses these to confirm jurisdiction and prevent fraud.
- A complete list of next of kin and beneficiaries. Names, addresses, ages of any minors, and relationships are required for Form 1.0, which is filed with Form 8.0.
- A reasonable estimate of estate value. Separate the personal property total from the real estate annual rental value. Guesses are acceptable; the precise inventory comes later on Form 6.0.
- The names and addresses of the will’s witnesses. Some counties require this for the Waiver of Notice on Form 8.4 or for live testimony if no self-proving affidavit is attached.
- Filing fee payment. County fees range roughly from $100 to $230. Check the local schedule, like the Franklin County fee schedule or Hamilton County fees, before you go.
- Photo ID. Most counties require government ID at the counter or for notarization.
- Surety bond information (if the will does not waive bond). You may need a quote from a surety company before filing Form 4.2.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Form 8.0 is free and publicly available. The official statewide PDF lives on the Supreme Court of Ohio’s standard forms page, and every Ohio county probate court hosts a local copy with any county-specific cover sheet. You can download a fillable version directly from the Supreme Court PDF library.
County websites also host the form, and many add their own packets. Useful direct links include the Franklin County probate forms page, the Cuyahoga County probate forms page, the Hamilton County probate forms page, and the Summit County probate forms page. Always pull the form from the court where you intend to file in case the local version contains a county-specific addendum.
You may type into the PDF using Adobe Acrobat Reader, fill it by hand in black ink only, or complete it inside a county e-filing portal. Pencil, blue ink, and erasable ink are not accepted by most clerks because they can fade or be altered. The Supreme Court of Ohio’s eFiling guidance explains the statewide direction toward digital intake.
If you are filing pro se, do not retype or recreate the form. Courts must reject any version that does not match the official Sup. R. 51 layout exactly, even if every field is identical, because the court’s docket software relies on the standard form’s structure.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Ohio Form 8.0 Line by Line
The body of Form 8.0 is short, but every entry carries weight. Work top-to-bottom and do not skip a field. Each field below has its own walkthrough.
Caption: Court Name (County) and Judge
Plain English: The top of the form asks which Ohio county probate court you are filing in and the name of the sitting probate judge.
How to answer: Type the county name in all caps in the blank above “COUNTY, OHIO” and the current probate judge’s full name on the “JUDGE” line. File in the county where the decedent was domiciled at death under R.C. 2107.11, not the county where they died in a hospital.
Example entry: Maria Lopez files in Franklin County. She types FRANKLIN on the county line and HON. JEFFREY D. MACKEY on the judge line, the current Franklin County probate judge listed on the Franklin County Probate Court site.
Edge case: If the decedent had homes in two states, domicile is decided by intent, voter registration, driver’s license, and tax filings, not by where the death occurred. A snowbird who died in Florida but voted in Cleveland is a Cuyahoga County decedent.
Common mistake and consequence: Filing in the wrong county. The court will dismiss the application for lack of venue, and you must refile and pay a second filing fee in the correct county.
Misconception: Many filers think they file where the decedent owned the most property. Venue follows domicile first, with ancillary administration in other counties only if needed.
Estate Caption: “In the Matter of the Estate of”
Plain English: This line names the decedent so the court can open a unique case file.
How to answer: Enter the decedent’s full legal name exactly as it appears on the death certificate, in CAPS, last name first or first name first as the form indicates. Match middle initials and suffixes precisely.
Example entry: ROBERT JAMES O’CONNELL, JR., DECEASED.
Edge case: If the decedent used an alias, AKA, or maiden name on bank accounts or deeds, add “aka” entries. Example: MARGARET ANN SMITH, aka MAGGIE SMITH, aka MARGARET A. JONES.
Common mistake and consequence: Dropping a “Jr.” or “Sr.” causes the court’s title search and creditor notices to miss assets and creditors. Bank accounts under the suffix-bearing name can be frozen.
Misconception: Filers think nicknames are fine. Probate is a title-clearing process, and titles follow legal names.
Case Number
Plain English: A unique case number assigned by the clerk.
How to answer: Leave this blank. The clerk stamps it on intake.
Example entry: (left blank by applicant). After filing, Maria’s case is stamped 2026 ES 001234.
Edge case: If you are filing a related action, like an ancillary administration, write the original case number on the cover sheet, not in this box.
Common mistake and consequence: Filers who write a guessed case number cause the clerk to either reject the form or, worse, file it under the wrong existing case.
Misconception: Some filers believe the case number is created by the family. It is created by the court.
Item 1: Decedent’s Domicile, Date of Death, and Address
Plain English: Where the decedent legally lived, when they died, and their full address.
How to answer: Write the date of death in MM/DD/YYYY format. Enter the full domicile address — street, city, county, and ZIP. Match the death certificate.
Example entry: Robert James O’Connell, Jr. died on 03/14/2026, domiciled at 482 Bryden Road, Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio 43205.
Edge case: A decedent in long-term care may have been domiciled at their prior home, not the nursing home. Domicile follows intent to return; check tax returns and voter records.
Common mistake and consequence: Listing the hospital or nursing home as domicile creates a venue defect that the court will catch on review and bounce back.
Misconception: People think domicile equals last sleeping location. It is a legal status, not a physical location.
Item 2: Age and Surviving Spouse Designation
Plain English: The decedent’s age at death and whether a spouse survived them.
How to answer: Enter the age in years. Then check the box that says the decedent left a surviving spouse or did not leave a surviving spouse. If yes, list the spouse’s name and address.
Example entry: Age 71. Surviving spouse: Helen M. O’Connell, 482 Bryden Road, Columbus, OH 43205.
Edge case: A separated-but-not-divorced spouse is still a surviving spouse for probate purposes. A divorce decree filed before death revokes spousal rights under R.C. 2106.13 only if final.
Common mistake and consequence: Marking “no surviving spouse” when a spouse exists eliminates the spouse’s elective share rights and can be set aside as fraud.
Misconception: A common belief is that long separation removes spousal status. It does not. Only a final divorce or dissolution does.
Item 3: Names and Addresses of Next of Kin
Plain English: The list of every person who would inherit if there were no will (intestate heirs) under R.C. 2105.06.
How to answer: List each next of kin with full name, current mailing address, age (if minor, list exact age; if adult, write “adult”), and relationship to decedent. Use Form 1.0 as the attachment if space runs out.
Example entry: Helen M. O’Connell, spouse, adult, 482 Bryden Road, Columbus, OH 43205; Sean P. O’Connell, son, adult, 11 Maple Ave, Bexley, OH 43209; Erin O’Connell, daughter, age 16, 482 Bryden Road, Columbus, OH 43205.
Edge case: If a child predeceased the decedent, list that child’s living children (the decedent’s grandchildren) under per stirpes rules from R.C. 2105.06.
Common mistake and consequence: Omitting an estranged child. Probate notice must reach all next of kin, and a missed heir can later move to vacate the admission of the will, blowing up the estate months in.
Misconception: Filers think only people in the will matter. Next of kin is about who would inherit without the will, not who is named in the will.
Item 4: Names and Addresses of Beneficiaries Named in the Will
Plain English: Everyone who takes anything under the will (legatees and devisees).
How to answer: List each beneficiary’s full legal name, mailing address, age status, and relationship. Include charities, trusts, and contingent beneficiaries.
Example entry: Helen M. O’Connell (spouse) — residue; Sean P. O’Connell (son) — $25,000; Erin O’Connell (daughter, minor) — $25,000 in trust; St. Charles Preparatory School, 2010 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43209 — $5,000.
Edge case: Charitable beneficiaries trigger notice to the Ohio Attorney General Charitable Law Section under R.C. 109.23. Missing this notice voids the gift’s distribution timing.
Common mistake and consequence: Forgetting contingent beneficiaries. If the primary beneficiary disclaims, the contingent must already be on file or the court must reopen notice.
Misconception: Filers assume listing beneficiaries on Form 1.0 covers Item 4. The two lists overlap but are not identical, and both must be complete.
Item 5: Estimated Value of the Estate
Plain English: A best-guess dollar value of probate assets, broken into personal property and the annual rental value of real estate.
How to answer: Enter the personal property total (cash, accounts in decedent’s sole name, vehicles, personal effects) and, separately, the annual rental value of any real estate that will pass through probate. Real estate held jointly with right of survivorship or in a trust is not probate property.
Example entry: Personal property: $185,000. Annual real estate rental value: $24,000.
Edge case: A house worth $400,000 with a fair-market annual rent of $24,000 is listed as $24,000 here, not $400,000. The full appraisal goes on Form 6.0 Inventory later.
Common mistake and consequence: Writing the fair market value of real estate in this box. The court uses this entry to set bond and fee tiers, and an inflated number drives a much larger bond premium.
Misconception: People think estimated value must be exact. It is an estimate; the inventory does the precise math.
Item 6: Will Execution Statement
Plain English: A sworn statement that the attached will was signed by the decedent and properly witnessed under R.C. 2107.03.
How to answer: Confirm the will was signed by the decedent in the presence of two competent witnesses who also signed. Note whether the will is self-proving (has a notarized affidavit attached under R.C. 2107.084).
Example entry: The attached will, dated 06/01/2018, was signed by Robert James O’Connell, Jr. in the presence of two witnesses, Lisa Brown and David Patel, and includes a self-proving affidavit.
Edge case: A handwritten (holographic) will is not valid in Ohio unless it was signed in front of two witnesses. Pure holographs fail under R.C. 2107.03.
Common mistake and consequence: Marking the will as self-proving when the affidavit is missing the notary seal. The court will set a witness hearing, delaying admission by weeks.
Misconception: Filers assume any notarized will is self-proving. Only a will with the specific affidavit language from R.C. 2107.084 qualifies.
Item 7: Foreign Will Statement (Will Executed Outside Ohio)
Plain English: Whether the will was made under another state’s law or in another country.
How to answer: If the will was signed outside Ohio but meets the formalities of the state where it was signed or the formalities of Ohio, mark that and cite R.C. 2107.18. Attach a certified copy of the foreign probate if the will was already admitted elsewhere.
Example entry: The will was executed in Florida on 06/01/2018, valid under Florida law and admissible in Ohio under R.C. 2107.18.
Edge case: A military will signed under 10 U.S.C. § 1044d is valid in Ohio without further proof, regardless of state formalities.
Common mistake and consequence: Treating a foreign will as automatically valid. Without the statement and supporting proof, the court will reject the will until ancillary documentation is filed.
Misconception: Filers think a foreign will needs to be re-signed in Ohio. It does not; it just needs the proper affirmation on Form 8.0.
Applicant’s Signature, Address, and Phone
Plain English: Your sworn signature as the person applying.
How to answer: Sign in black ink, print your name beneath, and add your full address, phone number, and email. Sign only in front of the deputy clerk or a notary, depending on local rule.
Example entry: Helen M. O’Connell, 482 Bryden Road, Columbus, OH 43205, (614) 555-0142, helen.oconnell@example.com.
Edge case: A co-applicant (two executors) requires both signatures, and both must appear or notarize separately.
Common mistake and consequence: Pre-signing at home in front of a non-notary. The clerk will refuse the filing because the oath was not properly administered.
Misconception: Some filers think a typed signature is acceptable. Only an original ink or court-approved digital signature counts.
Attorney Information Block
Plain English: Contact info for the attorney, if any.
How to answer: If you are pro se, write “pro se” or leave blank. If represented, list attorney name, Ohio Supreme Court attorney registration number, firm, address, phone, and email.
Example entry: Jordan Reyes, Esq., #0089123, Reyes Estate Law LLC, 100 East Broad St., Suite 2200, Columbus, OH 43215, (614) 555-0199.
Edge case: If an attorney withdraws mid-case, the applicant must file a notice of substitution; this block is not self-updating.
Common mistake and consequence: Listing a paralegal in the attorney block. Only a licensed Ohio attorney may appear, and a non-attorney listing risks unauthorized-practice-of-law referral.
Misconception: Filers think the attorney must be local to the county. Any Ohio-licensed attorney may appear in any county probate court.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how Form 8.0 looks when fully completed. Each uses a different family pattern that probate clerks see most often.
Scenario 1: Helen, Surviving Spouse with a Simple Will
Helen O’Connell is 68. Her husband Robert died at home in Columbus, leaving a will that names Helen as sole executor and primary beneficiary. The estate has a paid-off home and modest bank accounts.
| Form Section | What Helen Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / County | FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO |
| Judge | HON. JEFFREY D. MACKEY |
| Estate of | ROBERT JAMES O’CONNELL, JR., DECEASED |
| Item 1 — Domicile / DOD | 482 Bryden Road, Columbus, OH 43205; died 03/14/2026 |
| Item 2 — Spouse | Helen M. O’Connell (surviving spouse), same address |
| Item 3 — Next of Kin | Helen (spouse), Sean (son, adult), Erin (daughter, age 16) |
| Item 4 — Beneficiaries | Helen (residue); Sean ($25,000); Erin ($25,000 in trust); St. Charles Prep ($5,000) |
| Item 5 — Estimated Value | Personal: $185,000; Annual rental value of real estate: $24,000 |
| Item 6 — Execution | Will dated 06/01/2018, self-proving affidavit attached |
| Applicant | Helen M. O’Connell, signed before deputy clerk on 04/02/2026 |
Scenario 2: Marcus, Adult Child Probating a Parent’s Will
Marcus Johnson, age 42, lives in Cleveland Heights. His mother Patricia died leaving a will that names him as executor. Patricia had three adult children and a small estate of about $90,000 with no real property.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / County | CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO |
| Judge | HON. ANTHONY J. RUSSO |
| Estate of | PATRICIA ANN JOHNSON, DECEASED |
| Item 1 — Domicile / DOD | 2310 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118; died 02/09/2026 |
| Item 2 — Spouse | No surviving spouse (widowed 2019) |
| Item 3 — Next of Kin | Marcus Johnson, son, adult; Tasha Johnson-Reed, daughter, adult; Andre Johnson, son, adult |
| Item 4 — Beneficiaries | Marcus, Tasha, Andre — equal one-third shares of residue |
| Item 5 — Estimated Value | Personal: $90,000; Annual rental value of real estate: $0 |
| Item 6 — Execution | Will dated 11/15/2014, two witnesses, no self-proving affidavit |
| Applicant | Marcus T. Johnson, signed before notary on 03/05/2026 |
Scenario 3: Janet, Named Executor with a Minor Beneficiary and Out-of-State Heir
Janet Pak is the named executor for her late friend Daniel Reyes, who died in Cincinnati. Daniel’s will leaves assets to a minor nephew in California and to a charity.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / County | HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO |
| Judge | HON. RALPH WINKLER |
| Estate of | DANIEL ALEJANDRO REYES, DECEASED |
| Item 1 — Domicile / DOD | 812 Resor Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45220; died 01/22/2026 |
| Item 2 — Spouse | No surviving spouse |
| Item 3 — Next of Kin | Luis Reyes, brother, adult, San Diego, CA; Mateo Reyes, nephew, age 9, San Diego, CA |
| Item 4 — Beneficiaries | Mateo Reyes (50% in trust until age 25); Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Foundation (50%) |
| Item 5 — Estimated Value | Personal: $310,000; Annual rental value of real estate: $0 |
| Item 6 — Execution | Will dated 09/12/2022, self-proving affidavit attached |
| Applicant | Janet S. Pak, signed before notary on 02/19/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Form 8.0 is filed in the probate division of the common pleas court in the decedent’s county of domicile. You can file in person, by mail, or, in many counties, electronically. Each channel has its own rhythm.
In person. Bring the original will, the certified death certificate, the completed Form 8.0, Form 1.0 (next of kin list), Form 4.0 if the will names an executor, and your photo ID. A deputy clerk will administer the oath and stamp your filing. Expect to pay $100–$230 in cash, check, or card. Counter hours at courts like the Hamilton County Probate Court counter are usually 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.
By mail. Send the originals (will, death certificate, completed forms, and a check made out to the probate court) to the county probate clerk’s address listed on the local website, such as Summit County’s filings page. Use certified mail with return receipt. Mail-in processing typically takes 5 to 15 business days, and the court will mail back the file-stamped copies.
By e-filing. Some counties accept Form 8.0 through dedicated portals, like the Franklin County eFiling system and the Cuyahoga County eFiling portal. The original will and death certificate still must be lodged in paper within a short window (often 7 days). Payment is by credit card with a service fee.
Always keep a file-stamped copy of every document. That stamp is your proof of filing and your timeline for the three-year deadline under R.C. 2107.76. Without it, banks and title companies will not act on your authority.
What Happens After You File
Once Form 8.0 is filed, the court reviews the will, the next of kin list, and the death certificate. If everything is in order and the will is self-proving, the judge or magistrate signs an order admitting the will to probate, often the same day or within a few business days.
The court then issues Letters Testamentary under R.C. 2113.05, the certificate that proves the executor’s legal authority to gather assets, pay debts, and distribute the estate. Banks, the Ohio BMV, and title companies will require a certified copy of these Letters before releasing or retitling assets.
The executor must then file an Inventory (Form 6.0) within three months and notice creditors under R.C. 2117.06. Creditors then have six months from the date of death to present claims.
If the will is not self-proving, the court schedules a brief hearing to take witness testimony or admit a deposition. Missing this hearing is the most common cause of stalled estates, so calendar it the moment the court issues notice.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each error below has stalled a real estate. Most are simple to fix at the front end, costly to fix later.
- Filing in the wrong county. The court dismisses for venue and you pay a second filing fee.
- Submitting a photocopy of the will. The court rejects the application and the original may need to be located through a lost-will action.
- Missing the death certificate. The clerk will not open the case without proof of death.
- Omitting an heir from Item 3. Notice fails, and the heir can later void the will’s admission.
- Listing the fair market value instead of annual rental value in Item 5. Bond and fees are inflated.
- Forgetting the self-proving affidavit status. Triggers an unnecessary witness hearing and weeks of delay.
- Pre-signing the form at home. The oath is invalid; the clerk refuses the filing.
- Using blue or pencil ink. Many counties reject for legibility and tamper-resistance reasons.
- Mismatched names between the will, death certificate, and Form 8.0. Title companies will not clear real property.
- Skipping notice to the Ohio Attorney General’s Charitable Law Section when a charity is a beneficiary. Distribution to the charity is delayed and may need court approval.
- Filing past three years from death. Under R.C. 2107.76, the will loses power to transfer property.
- Naming the wrong judge in the caption. The clerk may correct it, but in some counties it triggers a re-filing.
Do’s and Don’ts
The list below captures the habits of clean, fast filings.
- Do match the decedent’s name exactly to the death certificate, because every downstream document keys off this name.
- Do attach Form 1.0 to the application, because the next of kin list is required, not optional.
- Do confirm the will’s self-proving status before filing, because it determines whether you need a hearing.
- Do call the county probate clerk before filing, because local cover sheets and fee amounts vary.
- Do keep at least three certified copies of the death certificate, because banks, the BMV, and insurers each demand their own.
-
Do file within weeks of death, not years, because creditors and tax deadlines run from the date of death.
-
Don’t send the original will by regular mail without tracking, because a lost original triggers a separate court action.
- Don’t estimate the estate value at zero, because it signals the court that no probate is needed and may bounce the filing.
- Don’t sign anywhere except in front of a notary or deputy clerk, because the oath is the legal core of the filing.
- Don’t list joint-survivorship property as probate assets, because it is not part of the probate estate.
- Don’t ignore minors among the beneficiaries, because the court will appoint a guardian ad litem and you must list them.
- Don’t rely on a will from a website template without checking witness signatures, because a missing witness invalidates the will under R.C. 2107.03.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pro se filers save money but carry the legal risk. Hiring a probate attorney costs more but compresses time and prevents costly errors. The choice depends on estate size, family dynamics, and your comfort with paperwork.
Pros of filing pro se:
- Saves attorney fees, which often run 1%–4% of estate value under Sup. R. 71 guidelines.
- Direct contact with the clerk speeds up communication for simple estates.
- Many county probate courts publish self-help packets and host pro se desks.
- Full control over timing of filings and notices.
- Better understanding of the estate at the end of the process.
Cons of filing pro se:
- Steep learning curve on Ohio probate vocabulary and deadlines.
- One missed heir or notice can void the entire admission of the will.
- No malpractice insurance backstop if you make a mistake.
- Time off work for hearings, especially for non-self-proving wills.
- Stress on top of grief, which is a meaningful and often underestimated cost.
FAQs
Is the original will required for Form 8.0?
Yes. Ohio probate courts require the original signed will. A photocopy is only allowed in a separate lost-will proceeding under R.C. 2107.26.
Can I file Form 8.0 if I am not the named executor?
Yes. Any person with an interest, including a spouse, child, creditor, or legatee, may apply. The court still appoints the executor named in the will if that person is qualified.
How long do I have to file Form 8.0 after death?
Yes, there is a deadline. Under R.C. 2107.76, the will must generally be presented for probate within three years of the date of death.
Do I write the home’s market value or rental value in Item 5?
No, do not write market value. Item 5 asks for the annual rental value of real estate. Market value goes on the later Form 6.0 Inventory.
Should I list a stepchild in Item 3 (Next of Kin)?
No, not unless the stepchild was legally adopted. Stepchildren are not next of kin under R.C. 2105.06 without legal adoption.
Do I include my divorced ex-spouse as a beneficiary if the will still names them?
No. A final divorce revokes provisions in favor of an ex-spouse under R.C. 2107.33. List them only as historical context if the court asks.
Can I file Form 8.0 online in any Ohio county?
No. E-filing availability varies; counties like Franklin and Cuyahoga accept it, while many smaller counties still require paper.
Do I need a lawyer to file Form 8.0?
No. Pro se filing is allowed, although complex estates with minors, real property, or disputes benefit from counsel.
Should I write “Jr.” or “Sr.” in the estate caption?
Yes. Match the death certificate exactly. Suffixes affect title and account searches, and dropping them can freeze accounts.
Do I need to notify the Ohio Attorney General if a charity is a beneficiary?
Yes. Under R.C. 109.23, notice goes to the Charitable Law Section when a charity inherits.
Can I sign Form 8.0 at home before going to court?
No. The signature must be made before a notary or deputy clerk who administers the oath, or the clerk will refuse the filing.
What if the will was signed in another state?
Yes, it can still be admitted. Under R.C. 2107.18, an out-of-state will is valid in Ohio if it met the formalities of the state where signed.
Do I list a minor beneficiary’s age in Item 4?
Yes. Always list the exact age of any minor beneficiary so the court can decide whether a guardian ad litem is needed.
How much does it cost to file Form 8.0?
Yes, there is a fee. County filing fees range roughly from $100 to $230, with current schedules at sites like Hamilton County’s fee page.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Ohio Form 553 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- 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 2.0 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Probate Form 2.1 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Probate Form 7.0 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Arkansas Petition for Probate of Will (w/Examples) + FAQs