Franklin County, Ohio Probate
Cost Calculator

Probate in Franklin County, Ohio is handled by the Franklin County Probate Court in Columbus. Ohio's statutory percentage schedule applies here, along with local filing procedures that affect timelines and costs.

The Franklin County Probate Court in Columbus processes a high volume of estate filings, with dedicated probate staff and structured hearing calendars. Expect longer initial wait times for hearings, but the trade-off is a court system with deep experience handling complex estates.

The typical probate timeline runs 8-18 months.

Ohio's Probate Courts handle probate exclusively — specialized jurisdiction unavailable in general courts. Statutory fees under ORC § 2113.35: 4% on the first $100K, 3% on the next $300K, 2% above $400K.

Release from Administration is available for estates under $35,000. Full details: Ohio Probate Calculator.

The Franklin County Probate Court is located at 373 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215. The court clerk can be reached at (614) 525-3894.

Visit the court's website for current forms, fee schedules, and filing instructions. Electronic filing is available.

Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.

• Ohio's statutory schedule (ORC § 2113.35): 4% on the first $100K, 3% on the next $300K, 2% above $400K — identical for executors and attorneys.
• The Franklin County Probate Court in Columbus approves all fee applications.
• Court costs include the filing fee, bond premiums, publication costs, and certified copies.

• Probate in Franklin County — Ohio's 1st most populated county out of 88 — begins with filing an Application for Authority to Administer Estate at the Franklin County Probate Court in Columbus.
• Ohio's Probate Courts are specialized courts of limited jurisdiction, meaning the judge and staff in Franklin County handle probate, guardianship, and related matters exclusively.
• As one of Ohio's busiest Probate Courts, Franklin County maintains a structured hearing calendar and dedicated staff for efficient case processing.

• After appointment, the fiduciary must file an inventory within 30 days (extendable by the court), publish notice to creditors, and manage the estate through the claims period.
• Ohio requires a final accounting before the estate can be closed, with the Franklin County Probate Court reviewing the fiduciary's administration and approving distributions.
• The typical timeline in Franklin County runs 8-18 months.
• Ohio's Release from Administration — for estates under $35,000 — and Summary Release from Administration — for estates under $100,000 with a surviving spouse — provide faster alternatives to full administration that are worth evaluating before beginning the full process.

Ohio offers two simplified probate alternatives in Franklin County — ranked 1st of the state's 88 counties. Release from Administration under ORC § 2113.03 is available for estates valued under $35,000, allowing assets to be distributed without a formal administration.

Summary Release from Administration under § 2113.031 extends this option to estates under $100,000 when the surviving spouse is the sole heir or beneficiary, providing a streamlined pathway through the Franklin County Probate Court in Columbus.

As one of Ohio's larger jurisdictions, Franklin County's Probate Court processes a high volume of both simplified and full administration matters. While many local estates exceed the simplified thresholds, calculate the probate estate value carefully — Ohio's non-probate transfer mechanisms (payable-on-death accounts, transfer-on-death deeds, and beneficiary designations) can significantly reduce the probate estate below the qualification caps.

• Getting an accurate cost estimate before you start probate in Franklin County helps you budget for Ohio's statutory percentage schedule plus local filing fees at the Franklin County Probate Court.
• The clerk's office in Columbus can answer procedural questions about required forms and hearing schedules.

• This free probate calculator applies Ohio's specific rules automatically — enter the estate's approximate value to get an instant breakdown of expected fees.
• No account required.