The Probate Court is responsible for testamentary wills as follows:

Probate – On the death of the testator, a will is admitted to probate by the court. Once admitted the will may control estate administration and the distribution of the decedent’s assets. If no will is admitted to probate, the Ohio Revised Code will control the administration and distribution of the decedent’s assets.

Will Contest – If a Will is contested, a trial is conducted by the court to determine the validity of the will.

The court may appoint, after hearing and investigation, a guardian for a minor or for an adult who is found to be incompetent to take proper care of himself or his property. A guardian, with court supervision, is responsible for making personal and/or financial decisions for the ward. Court supervision is accomplished, in part, through the filing of reports and accounts by the guardian. Both a minor and an adult ward have a number of rights and protections to insure against an unnecessary or ineffective guardianship, including, for the adult ward, the right to be represented by an attorney.

The court grants a conservatorship when the conservatee, the person who is the subject of the conservatorship, consents. A conservatee must be mentally competent, but physically infirm. The laws and procedures of guardianship, may apply to conservatorships.

Civil involuntary commitments of the mentally ill to state hospitals are the responsibility of the probate court. The court is required to hold evidentiary hearings to determine the appropriateness of commitment and the length and place of treatment. Since the involuntary commitment involves the loss of liberty, the court insures protection of an individual’s rights by providing legal representation at each step of the commitment process.

All adoptions must be approved by the probate court before they become final. Person or persons wishing to adopt are required to submit to an investigation of their living environment by professionally-trained personnel to insure their suitability as parents.

Applications for legal change of name are filed in the probate court. After publishing notice and hearing, the court, if reasonable and proper cause exists, may grant a name change.

The probate court has exclusive jurisdiction to issue marriage licenses. After review of the application, a deputy clerk will issue a license for marriage. Over 200 marriage licenses are issued annually by the Guernsey County Probate Court.

The probate court is responsible for insuring that the terms of testamentary trusts (those created by a will) are complied with. This is accomplished, in part, through periodic accounts to the court. Questions involving interpretation and enforcement of both testamentary and inter vivos trusts (those created during a person’s lifetime) may be submitted to court.

It is the responsibility of the probate judge to appoint members of various independent boards and commissions. As an example, all of the members of the Guernsey County Park District are appointed by the probate judge. In addition, when a vacancy occurs on a school board or a board of township trustees, the probate judge, after a period of time prescribed by statute, must appoint an individual to fill the vacancy.

Legal practice in the probate court is restricted by law to attorneys who are licensed by the Supreme Court of Ohio. If an individual wishes to handle his or her own case, he or she may do so; however, they may not represent others. Due to the complexity of the law and desire to avoid costly errors, many individuals who have filings before the court are represented by an attorney. Deputy Clerks are prevented by law from practicing law and, therefore, are limited in the amount of advice they are permitted to give.