Archived Alerts

Notice

The Hamilton County Probate Court has adopted changes to its Local Rules which remove the joint control requirement pertaining to guardianships. Local Rule 75.1 (B)(2) is deleted in its entirety, effective April 14, 2023. Joint control is no longer required for guardianships filed after April 14, 2023.

The Court is accepting written comments on the newly adopted changes to the Local Rules until May 15, 2023. Written comments should be sent to the Probate Court at the following address:

Judge Ralph Winkler
Hamilton County Probate Court
230 E. Ninth Street, 10th Floor
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

ATTENTION
PUBLIC NOTICE

Effective: January 3, 2023

Ohio Law requires the Hamilton County Probate Court to post a list of cases in which money has been paid and remained in the hands of the Court for one year since the next preceding first Monday of January. The attached is a list of funds, which are being held by the Hamilton County Probate Court. Payees can contact the Probate cashier before Wednesday February 15, 2023 to claim the funds. The cashier is located on the 9th floor of the William Howard Taft Law Center at 230 East 9th Street and is open for business Monday – Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. For additional information contact the cashier at 946-3604.

List of Unclaimed Funds for 2023

The Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Service Board (DDSB) will have two vacancies in January 2023. As the appointing authority for these positions, Judge Ralph Winkler is looking for the best and brightest talent in Hamilton County to fill these two vacancies. You can find out more information regarding the positions, the requirements, and our application at www.probatect.org/about/boardappointments.

Judge Winkler will be accepting applications until December 27, 2022.

The Hamilton County Probate Court has adopted changes to its Local Rules. The changes can be seen on the Court’s website www.probatect.org listed under Recent Alerts. The changes take effect on March 7, 2022.

The Court is accepting written comments on the newly adopted changes to the Local Rules until April 4, 2022.

Written comments can be sent to the Probate Court at the following address:

Judge Ralph Winkler

Hamilton County Probate Court

230 E. Ninth Street, 10th Floor

Cincinnati, OH 45202

2022 Local Rules Revisions

This deposit schedule is based upon the average cost to complete various case types. Each case is different and additional funds may be required to complete a case.

Effective July 19, 2021

CODE	DESCRIPTION	DEPOSIT	MISC
AA	Adult Adoption	$180.00
AC	Consent to Interstate Adoption	$70.00
AF	Registration of Foreign Birth Record	$100.00
AG	Agency Adoption	$210.00
AL	Pre-Placement A & E	$80.00
AP	Private Adoption	$210.00
AR	Readoption (AKA Foreign Readopt)	$190.00
AS	Adoption by Step Parent	$190.00
AX	Complaint Determining Birth Registration	$190.00
BC	Birth Correction	$90.00
BR	Birth Registration	$90.00
CD	Disinterment	$90.00
CH	Determination of Heirship	$160.00
CI	Civil Case (Unspecified)	$180.00
CM	Correction of Marriage Record	$90.00
CN	Name Change	$150.00	$30 additional collected if publication required
CS	Sales Case	$160.00
CT	Transfer Structured Settlement	$170.00
CW	Will Contest	$180.00
DG	Designation of Standby Guardian - Power of Atty	$60.00
DG	Nomination of Guardian	$60.00
DH	Designation of Heir	$120.00
DP	Declaration of Paternity	$70.00
DR	Authenticated Copies	$40.00	Plus $1 Per Pg.
DR	Authenticated Copies With Will	$50.00	Plus $1 Per Pg.
DW	Will Deposit	$40.00
EA	Full Administration of Estate (Date of Death prior to 1/1/2002)	$260.00
EB	Reopen Full Administration	$110.00
EC	Certificate of Transfer Over 10 Yrs.	$90.00	Additional $30 if filed with a Will
ED	Admit Will Only	$100.00
EE	Estate Tax Return Only	$30.00	Plus $1 Per Pg Over 4 Pgs.
EF	Will For Record Only	$30.00
EG	Disposition of Bodily Remains	$90.00
EN	Full Administration of Estate (Date of Death on or after 1/1/2002)	$260.00
EP	Estate Relieved (Publication Required)	$210.00
EP	Estate Relieved (Publication Required) with Will	$240.00
ER	Estate Relieved (No Publication)	$170.00
ER	Estate Relieved (No Publication) with Will	$200.00
EX	Wrongful Death Estate Only	$190.00
EZ	Summary Release From Administration	$150.00
GC	Conservatorship	$160.00
GE	Guardianship (Estate Only)	$240.00
GI	Guardianship (Person and Estate)	$240.00
GP	Guardianship (Person Only) $240.00
IT	Involuntary Treatment for Alcohol and/or Drugs	$90.00
MA	Appointment of Successor Custodian	$60.00
ME	Minor Guardianship (Estate Only)	$170.00
MG	Minor Guardianship (Person and Estate)	$170.00
MJ	Minor Declining Jurisdiction	$110.00
MP	Minor Guardianship (Person Only)	$170.00
MS	Minor Settlement (No Guardian)	$110.00
MX	Deliver Funds to Minor (No Guardian)	$80.00
ML	Marriage License	$75.00
TM	Trust (Misc.)	$140.00
TS	Trust (Special Needs)	$140.00
TT	Trust (Testamentary Trust)	$140.00
TW	Trust (Wrongful Death)	$140.00
	Accounts	$40.00	Plus $1 Pg Over Standard Form

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

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

2023
Monday	February 20, 2023	Presidents Day	Closed
Friday	April 7, 2023	Good Friday	Closed at Noon (12:00 P.M.)
Monday	May 29, 2023	Memorial Day	Closed
Monday	June 19, 2023	Juneteenth	Closed
Tuesday	July 4, 2023	Independence	Closed
Monday	September 4, 2023	Labor Day	Closed
Monday	October 9, 2023	Columbus Day	Closed
Tuesday	November 7, 2023	Election Day	Closed at Noon (12:00 P.M.)
Friday	November 10, 2023	Veteran's Day (Observed)	Closed
Thursday	November 23, 2023	Thanksgiving Day	Closed
Friday	November 24, 2023	Day After Thanksgiving Day	Closed
Monday	December 25, 2023	Christmas Day	Closed
2024
Monday	January 1, 2024	New Years Day	Closed

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.