Ohio Executor and Estate Kit: the $35,000 Small Estate Route, First Month Checklist and Estate Ledger

Who it is for

Whoever is settling the estate of someone who lived in Ohio. Through a court office. An interested party applies to the probate court, with notice to the spouse and heirs unless waived; the court orders the release.

Not the right fit if

The person didn't live in or own property in Ohio, or a will contest or family dispute means you need an estate attorney. Not a form preparation or legal service.

Why it is different

• Sources, checked November 2026: Ohio Revised Code 2113.03, Release from administration; Supreme Court of Ohio probate form 5.0, Application to Relieve Estate from Administration (PDF); Ohio Revised Code 2107.03, Method of making will.
• 3 facts aren't stated on those pages, so the kit says so and links where to check.

What is inside

• Ohio small estate route. Estate assets of $35,000 or less; $100,000 or less when a surviving spouse is entitled to all of them (named in the will, or the sole heir without one). It depends on the route. The release application (form 5.0) has no notary block; a summary release application is signed before a notary or deputy clerk. Through a court office. An interested party applies to the probate court, with notice to the spouse and heirs unless waived; the court orders the release. Form 5.0, Application to Relieve Estate from Administration. Supreme Court of Ohio standard probate form. Release from administration, and summary release from administration: Release from administration up to $35,000 ($100,000 when the spouse takes everything). Summary release (2113.031) is for estates no larger than the lesser of $5,000 or the funeral bill, or a spouse's support allowance plus up to $5,000 of funeral costs; that application is signed before a notary or deputy clerk. The release limit rises to $100,000 when the surviving spouse is entitled to all the assets.
• How a Ohio will had to be signed. Two or more witnesses, who sign in the testator's conscious presence after seeing the signing or hearing it acknowledged. A handwritten will is fine, but it still needs two witnesses. There's no separate unwitnessed handwritten will. A gift to someone who is one of only two witnesses is void.
• Ohio estate ledger (Excel). Assets, debts, payments and distributions; it compares the countable assets with $35,000, marks real estate to ask the court about and notes the $100,000 figure with a surviving spouse.
• First 30 days, tracker and letters. The first month in order, a documents and accounts tracker, and plain letters to a bank, a utility and Social Security.
• Still to confirm in Ohio. real estate, waiting period after the death: check Ohio Revised Code 2113.03, Release from administration; self-proving affidavit: check Ohio Revised Code 2107.03, Method of making will.