Recent Alerts

In response to the public health crisis created by COVID-19 and the actions taken by federal, state, and local officials, the First District Court of Appeals and the Hamilton County Probate Court (the "Courts") have implemented a number of safety measures through a series of Administrative Orders in an effort to maintain Court functions while complying with public health orders and guidelines.

On May 14, 2021, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued a statement directing the Ohio Department of Health to conform the remaining health orders to CDC guidance through June 2.

Specifically, "Ohio will be amending our remaining health orders to comply with the new CDC guidance, which says that those who have been vaccinated no longer need to wear masks, while those who have not been vaccinated should still wear a mask and socially distance."

The Courts have also taken into consideration guidance from Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice O'Connor to "continue to operate within the directives of the Governor and the Director of Health."

Accordingly, to further serve the community and in accordance with the most updated guidance from the CDC and Ohio Public Health, effective immediately and until further order, the Courts modify their previous COVID-19 related Administrative Orders as follows:

This Administrative Order applies to the William Howard Taft Law Center at 230 E. 9th Street (Court Facilities).
Anyone entering Court Facilities, under this Administrative Order, and is fully vaccinated, as defined by current Ohio Public Health Orders and as set forth below, is not required to wear a facial covering or have their temperature taken.
For purposes of this Order, a facial covering is a face covering or mask made of cloth or a similar material that covers the nose, mouth, and chin at all times, and is separate and apart from one's clothing, and does not obscure the identity of the person.
Individuals who wish to wear a face covering for personal health reasons shall be permitted to do so. Individuals may be asked by a judge or magistrate to remove their face covering if necessary for purposes of audibility.
Consistent with public health guidelines, individuals who are not fully vaccinated, including children under 12, remain at risk, and are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering and observe physical distancing, keeping a minimum of six (6) feet of distance between people, at all times in all areas.
For purposes of this Order, individuals are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series, or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine.
Unvaccinated people refers to individuals of all ages, including children that have not completed a vaccination series or received a single-dose vaccine.
Each judge and magistrate retains the authority to establish their own, more restrictive standards within their courtroom and adjoining offices including capacity, social distancing, and mask policies. To the extent a judge or magistrate requires the use of a face covering in their courtroom, a face covering or mask shall be provided by the court.
Previous limitations on in-person access to Court Facilities, which were necessary to limit large gatherings, are hereby lifted. Judges are encouraged, however, to continue to stagger dockets and utilize remote hearing capabilities if possible.
Given the continued threat posed by COVID-19 to unvaccinated, immunocompromised, and other individuals, judges and magistrates are strongly encouraged to utilizing remote hearing capabilities or liberally grant continuances to accommodate those with ongoing COVID-19 related personal health concerns.
Electronic filing through the Clerk of Courts and Probate Clerk’s e-filing portal is encouraged for all filings where possible.
The availability of hand sanitizers and regular cleaning in common areas shall be maintained.
No person shall enter Court Facilities, including all Hamilton County elected officials, county and court employees, contractors, and anyone seeking to participate in or attend a court proceeding, without regard to vaccination status:
- If they have COVID-19 or believe they have COVID-19, or;
- They exhibit signs of respiratory infection (cough, fever, shortness of breath). Such individuals seeking to attend a court hearing shall be instructed to call their attorney or the courtroom staff of the judge presiding over the proceedings.
- They are an unvaccinated person, and within the last 14 days, have been exposed to someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, or;
- They are awaiting a COVID-19 test result.
The Hamilton County Sheriff and his or her Deputies and other agents shall not be liable for anyone admitted or denied access to Court Facilities regardless of such person's medical health.
Any person who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 in any area of the Court Facilities may be asked to leave the Court Facilities at the discretion of the Courts.
Unvaccinated employees must perform a daily symptom assessment before coming to work and are strongly encouraged to wear a facial covering and observe physical distancing in all areas of Court Facilities except in their private office space. Employees must stay at home if they develop a fever or exhibit signs of a respiratory infection.
This Administrative Order is effective immediately and until further order of the Courts. To the extent this Order conflicts with any of the Courts' previous COVID-19 related Administrative Orders, this Administrative Order supersedes.

The Accounts Department will remain closed to in-person reviews at this time. Please continue to leave all accounts in the basket on the information counter.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. Read the PDF document for more information: FEMA Funeral Assistance

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Hours & Location

HOURS & LOCATION

*** ALERT ***

Please refer to our Recent Alerts (upper right hand corner of this page) for on-going changes to operations and/or procedures during this COVID-19 outbreak. This is a fluid situation and we will be posting changes as they occur to the Recent Alerts section. Thank you.

Hours:
Monday - Friday (Except Legal Holidays)
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM**

Click for holiday hours
Click for Magistrate Schedule

** All filings and Marriage License Applications must be submitted by 3:45 PM.

Location:
William Howard Taft Center
230 East Ninth Street, 9th and 10th floors
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Click Here for a Map and Driving Directions

Holiday Hours

2021
Monday	May 31, 2021	Memorial Day	Closed Entire Day
Friday	June 18, 2021	Juneteenth (Observed)	Closed Entire Day
Monday	July 5, 2021	Independence Day (Observed)	Closed Entire Day
Monday	September 6, 2021	Labor Day	Closed Entire Day
Tuesday	November 2, 2021	Election Day	Closed at Noon (12:00 P.M.)
Thursday	November 11, 2021	Veterans Day	Closed Entire Day
Thursday	November 25, 2021	Thanksgiving Day	Closed
Friday	November 26, 2021	Day after Thanksgiving Day	Closed
Friday	December 24, 2021	Christmas Day (Observed)	Closed Entire Day
Friday	December 31, 2021	New Years Day (Observed)	Closed Entire Day

MAGISTRATE SCHEDULE

Magistrates are available (except for vacations, etc.), for scheduled or unscheduled matters, according to the following schedule:

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Scheduled Hearings	Paul Rattermann	Karen Rosen	Kendal Coes	Karen Rosen	Paul Rattermann
	Kendal Coes	Rogena Stargel	Mark Waters	Rogena Stargel	Mark Waters
Walk-Ins	Rogena Stargel	Kendal Coes	Paul Rattermann***	Paul Rattermann	Rogena Stargel
	Karen Rosen	Mark Waters	Karen Rosen	Mark Waters	Kendal Coes

The magistrates will typically be absent for lunch during the following times:

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
12:00 - 1:00 P.M.	Coes Rosen Rattermann Stargel	Coes Rosen Stargel Waters	Coes Rattermann Stargel Waters	Rosen Rattermann Stargel Waters	Coes Rosen Rattermann Waters
1:00 - 2:00 P.M.	Waters	Rattermann	Rosen	Coes	Stargel

If a case is assigned to a magistrate, you must see the assigned magistrate on an available day for that matter. A magistrate may not be available on a day of scheduled hearings. There are limited exceptions for the opening of an estate as well as for the appointment of an appraiser, obtaining an inventory hearing date and approving the sale or transfer of a motor vehicle. Any magistrate can approve these filings.

Note: All magistrates are in a magistrates' meeting from 8:00 - 9:00 every Monday morning.

*** Paul Rattermann will be hearing the Citation docket every Wednesday at 9:30 A.M.

Recent Alerts

Archived Alerts

Hamilton County Probate Court

Judge Ralph Winkler

HOURS & LOCATION

Holiday Hours

MAGISTRATE SCHEDULE