Chapter 2111 | Guardians; Conservatorships

Section 2111.01 | Guardian and conservatorship definitions.

• Effective: October 12, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 158 - 131st General Assembly

As used in Chapters 2101. to 2131. of the Revised Code:

(A) "Guardian," other than a guardian under sections 5905.01 to 5905.19 of the Revised Code, means any person, association, or corporation appointed by the probate court to have the care and management of the person, the estate, or both of an incompetent or minor. When applicable, "guardian" includes, but is not limited to, a limited guardian, an interim guardian, a standby guardian, and an emergency guardian appointed pursuant to division (B) of section 2111.02 of the Revised Code. "Guardian" also includes an agency under contract with the department of developmental disabilities for the provision of protective service under sections 5123.55 to 5123.59 of the Revised Code when appointed by the probate court to have the care and management of the person of an incompetent.

(B) "Ward" means any person for whom a guardian is acting or for whom the probate court is acting pursuant to section 2111.50 of the Revised Code.

(C) "Resident guardian" means a guardian appointed by a probate court to have the care and management of property in this state that belongs to a nonresident ward.

(D) "Incompetent" means either of the following:

(1) Any person who is so mentally impaired, as a result of a mental or physical illness or disability, as a result of intellectual disability, or as a result of chronic substance abuse, that the person is incapable of taking proper care of the person's self or property or fails to provide for the person's family or other persons for whom the person is charged by law to provide ;

(2) Any person confined to a correctional institution within this state.

(E) "Next of kin" means any person who would be entitled to inherit from a ward under Chapter 2105. of the Revised Code if the ward dies intestate.

(F) "Conservator" means a conservator appointed by the probate court in an order of conservatorship issued pursuant to section 2111.021 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Parent" means a natural parent or adoptive parent of a minor child whose parental rights and responsibilities have not been terminated by a juvenile court or another court.

(H) "Financial harm" means impairment of an individual's financial assets by unlawfully obtaining or exerting control over the individual's real or personal property in any of the following ways:

(1) Without the consent of the individual or the person authorized to give consent on the individual's behalf;

(2) Beyond the scope of the express or implied consent of the individual or the person authorized to give consent on the individual's behalf;

(3) By deception;

(4) By threat;

(5) By intimidation;

(6) By fraud;

(7) By undue influence.

Section 2111.011 | Guardianship guide.

• Effective: September 13, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 50 - 131st General Assembly

(A) The clerk of the probate court shall furnish a guardianship guide, prepared e ither by the attorney general w ith the approval of the Ohio judicial conference or b y the Ohio judicial conference under division (B) of this section, to a guardian at either of the following times, whichever is applicable:

(1) Upon the appointment of the guardian under section 2111.02 of the Revised Code;

(2) If the guardian was appointed prior to the effective date of this section, upon the first filing by the guardian with the probate court of either of the following, as applicable, after that effective date:

(a) A guardian's account, other than a final account, that is required to be filed under section 2109.302 of the Revised Code;

(b) A guardian's report that is required to be filed under section 2111.49 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) If the attorney general subsequently prepares any updated version of the guardianship guide, the updated guide shall include the rights of a ward as stated in any relevant provision of the Revised Code that is then curren t. The cl erk of the probate court shall furnish the most recent version of the guide to a guardian at either of the following times, whichever is applicable:

(a) Upon the appointment of the guardian under section 2111.02 of the Revised Code after the most recent version of the guide is prepared;

(b) If the guardian was appointed prior to the date of the most recent version of the guide, upon the first filing by the guardian with the probate court of either of the documents described in divisions (A)(2)(a) and (b) of this section, as applicable, after that date.

(2) In the alternative, the Ohio judicial conference may create, at their cost, an alternative guardianship guide for use in all probate courts. The alternative guardianship guide shall be distributed in accordance with all provisions contained in this act. The court shall furnish this alternative guardianship guide in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(C) The probate court shall establish a form for a guardian to sign acknowledging that the guardian received a guardianship guide pursuant to this section.

(D) Upon receiving a guardianship guide, the guardian shall sign the form specified in division (C) of this section. The signed form shall be kept permanently in the guardianship file of the probate court.

Section 2111.02 | Appointment of guardian - limited, interim, emergency, or standby guardian - nomination.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 27 - 129th General Assembly

(A) If found necessary, a probate court on its own motion or on application by any interested party shall appoint, subject to divisions (C) and (D) of this section and to section 2109.21 and division (B) of section 2111.121 of the Revised Code, a guardian of the person, the estate, or both, of a minor or incompetent, provided the person for whom the guardian is to be appointed is a resident of the county or has a legal settlement in the county. If the person for whom the guardian is to be appointed is an adult, the person must be a qualified respondent as described in section 2112.21 of the Revised Code and have the opportunity to have the assistance of counsel in the proceeding for the appointment of that guardian. An interested party includes, but is not limited to, a person nominated in a durable power of attorney under section 1337.24 of the Revised Code or in a writing as described in division (A) of section 2111.121 of the Revised Code.

Except when the guardian of an incompetent is an agency under contract with the department of developmental disabilities for the provision of protective services under sections 5123.55 to 5123.59 of the Revised Code, the guardian of an incompetent, by virtue of the appointment as guardian, shall be the guardian of the minor children of the guardian's ward, unless the court appoints some other person as their guardian.

When the primary purpose of the appointment of a guardian is, or was, the collection, disbursement, or administration of moneys awarded by the veterans administration to the ward, or assets derived from those moneys, no court costs shall be charged in the proceeding for the appointment or in any subsequent proceedings made in pursuance of the appointment, unless the value of the estate, including the moneys then due under the veterans administration award, exceeds one thousand five hundred dollars.

(B)(1) If the probate court finds it to be in the best interest of an incompetent or minor, it may appoint pursuant to divisions (A) and (C) of this section, on its own motion or on application by an interested party, a limited guardian with specific limited powers. The sections of the Revised Code, rules, and procedures governing guardianships apply to a limited guardian, except that the order of appointment and letters of authority of a limited guardian shall state the reasons for, and specify the limited powers of, the guardian. The court may appoint a limited guardian for a definite or indefinite period. An incompetent or minor for whom a limited guardian has been appointed retains all of the incompetent's or minor's rights in all areas not affected by the court order appointing the limited guardian.

(2) If a guardian appointed pursuant to division (A) of this section is temporarily or permanently removed or resigns, and if the welfare of the ward requires immediate action, at any time after the removal or resignation, the probate court may appoint, ex parte and with or without notice to the ward or interested parties, an interim guardian for a maximum period of fifteen days. If the court appoints the interim guardian ex parte or without notice to the ward, the court, at its first opportunity, shall enter upon its journal with specificity the reason for acting ex parte or without notice, and, as soon as possible, shall serve upon the ward a copy of the order appointing the interim guardian. For good cause shown, after notice to the ward and interested parties and after hearing, the court may extend an interim guardianship for a specified period, but not to exceed an additional thirty days.

(3) If a minor or incompetent has not been placed under a guardianship pursuant to division (A) of this section and if an emergency exists and it is reasonably certain that immediate action is required to prevent significant injury to the person or estate of the minor or incompetent, at any time after it receives notice of the emergency, the court, ex parte, may issue any order that it considers necessary to prevent injury to the person or estate of the minor or incompetent, or may appoint an emergency guardian for a maximum period of seventy-two hours. A written copy of any order issued by a court under this division shall be served upon the incompetent or minor as soon as possible after its issuance. Failure to serve that order after its issuance or prior to the taking of any action under its authority does not invalidate the order or the actions taken. The powers of an emergency guardian shall be specified in the letters of appointment, and shall be limited to those powers that are necessary to prevent injury to the person or estate of the minor or incompetent. If the court acts ex parte or without notice to the minor or incompetent, the court, at its first opportunity, shall enter upon its journal a record of the case and, with specificity, the reason for acting ex parte or without notice. For good cause shown, after notice to the minor or incompetent and interested parties, and after hearing, the court may extend an emergency guardianship for a specified period, but not to exceed an additional thirty days.

(C) Prior to the appointment of a guardian or limited guardian under division (A) or (B)(1) of this section, the court shall conduct a hearing on the matter of the appointment. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with all of the following:

(1) The proposed guardian or limited guardian shall appear at the hearing and, if appointed, shall swear under oath that the proposed guardian or limited guardian has made and will continue to make diligent efforts to file a true inventory in accordance with section 2111.14 of the Revised Code and find and report all assets belonging to the estate of the ward and that the proposed guardian or limited guardian faithfully and completely will fulfill the other duties of guardian, including the filing of timely and accurate reports and accountings.

(2) If the hearing is conducted by a magistrate, the procedures set forth in Civil Rule 53 shall be followed.

(3) If the hearing concerns the appointment of a guardian or limited guardian for an alleged incompetent, the burden of proving incompetency shall be by clear and convincing evidence.

(4) Upon request of the applicant, the alleged incompetent for whom the appointment is sought or the alleged incompetent's counsel, or any interested party, a recording or record of the hearing shall be made.

(5) Evidence of a less restrictive alternative to guardianship may be introduced, and when introduced, shall be considered by the court.

(6) The court may deny a guardianship based upon a finding that a less restrictive alternative to guardianship exists.

(7) If the hearing concerns the appointment of a guardian or limited guardian for an alleged incompetent, the alleged incompetent has all of the following rights:

(a) The right to be represented by independent counsel of the alleged incompetent's choice;

(b) The right to have a friend or family member of the alleged incompetent's choice present;

(c) The right to have evidence of an independent expert evaluation introduced;

(d) If the alleged incompetent is indigent, upon the alleged incompetent's request:

(i) The right to have counsel and an independent expert evaluator appointed at court expense;

(ii) If the guardianship, limited guardianship, or standby guardianship decision is appealed, the right to have counsel appointed and necessary transcripts for appeal prepared at court expense.

(D)(1) If a person has been nominated to be a guardian of the estate of a minor in or pursuant to a durable power of attorney under section 1337.24 of the Revised Code or a writing as described in division (A) of section 2111.121 of the Revised Code, the person nominated has preference in appointment over a person selected by the minor. A person who has been nominated to be a guardian of the person of a minor in or pursuant to a durable power of attorney or writing of that nature does not have preference in appointment over a person selected by the minor, but the probate court may appoint the person named in the durable power of attorney or the writing, the person selected by the minor, or another person as guardian of the person of the minor.

(2) A person nominated as a guardian of an incompetent adult child pursuant to a durable power of attorney under section 1337.24 or pursuant to section 2111.121 of the Revised Code shall have preference in appointment over a person applying to be guardian if the person nominated is competent, suitable, and willing to accept the appointment, and if the incompetent adult child does not have a spouse or an adult child and has not designated a guardian prior to the court finding the adult child incompetent.

Section 2111.021 | Physically infirm adult may petition for conservatorship.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

A competent adult who is physically infirm may petition the probate court of the county in which the petitioner resides, to place, for a definite or indefinite period of time, the petitioner's person, any or all of the petitioner's real or personal property, or both under a conservatorship with the court. A petitioner either may grant specific powers to the conservator or court or may limit any powers granted by law to the conservator or court, except that the petitioner may not limit the powers granted to the court by this section and may not limit the requirement for bond as determined by the court. The petition shall state whether the person of the competent adult will be placed under the conservatorship, shall state with particularity all real and personal property that will be placed under the conservatorship, shall state the powers granted and any limitation upon the powers of the conservator or court, and shall state the name of a proposed suitable conservator.

After a hearing, if the court finds that the petition was voluntarily filed and that the proposed conservator is suitable, the court shall issue an order of conservatorship. Upon issuance of the order, all sections of the Revised Code governing a guardianship of the person, the estate, or both, whichever is involved, except those sections the application of which specifically is limited by the petitioner, and all rules and procedures governing a guardianship of the person, the estate, or both, shall apply to the conservatorship, including, but not limited to, applicable bond and accounting requirements.

A conservatorship shall terminate upon a judicial determination of incompetency, the death of the petitioner, the order of the probate court, or the execution of a written termination notice by the petitioner. A termination notice shall take effect upon execution by the petitioner, and shall be filed with the court and served upon the conservator. A termination notice executed by a petitioner relative to a conservatorship of the estate and the termination of a conservatorship of the estate based upon a termination notice are void unless the termination notice is filed with the court within fourteen days after its execution. Modification of the powers of a conservator or the court may be made by the petitioner upon motion to the court at any time during the conservatorship. Neither the establishment of a conservatorship nor the filing of a petition for conservatorship with the probate court shall be considered as evidence of mental impairment under section 2111.01 of the Revised Code.

Upon motion to the probate court and a showing of good cause, the court may make confidential, or remove from confidential status, any file, record, petition, motion, account, or paper, except for an index, docket, or journal, that pertains to a conservatorship and that is in the possession of the court.

Section 2111.022 | Emergency order to freeze assets of missing person.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 27 - 129th General Assembly

(A) A probate court, on its own motion or on application of an interested party, may issue an emergency ex parte order freezing the financial assets of an individual whom the court or applicant has reason to believe is missing or has gone or been taken to another state if it is reasonably certain that immediate action is required to prevent significant financial harm to the individual. The order may freeze the individual's assets for a period not exceeding seventy-two hours. If the individual is located, a written copy of the order shall be served upon the individual as soon as possible after its issuance. The court, at its first opportunity, shall enter upon its journal a record of the case and, with specificity, the reason for the action. For good cause shown, after notice to the individual and after a hearing, the court may extend the emergency order for a specified period of not more than thirty additional days.

(B) The powers of the probate court under this section are in addition to and not in derogation of any powers the court has under division (B)(3) of section 2111.02 of the Revised Code.

Section 2111.03 | Application for appointment as guardian.

• Effective: October 8, 1992
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 427 - 119th General Assembly

A person applying for appointment as a guardian, including, but not limited to, as a limited guardian, pursuant to section 2111.02 of the Revised Code, shall file with the probate court an application that contains a statement of the whole estate of the ward, its probable value, and the probable annual rents of the ward's real property, and that also contains the following:

(A) A statement whether the applicant ever has been charged with or convicted of any crime involving theft, physical violence, or sexual, alcohol, or substance abuse, and, if the applicant has been so charged or convicted, the date and place of each charge and each conviction;

(B) A statement whether a limited guardianship is sought and, if sought, a specification of the limited powers that are requested and a statement whether the limited guardianship is to be for a definite or indefinite period;

(C) In the case of an application for the appointment of a guardian of a minor, all of the following:

(1) Name, age, and residence of the minor;

(2) Name and residence of each parent of the minor;

(3) Name, degree of kinship, age, and address of next of kin of the minor, if no parent is living or if a parent of the minor is absent, under disability, or for other reason cannot be notified;

(4) Name and residence address of the person having custody of the minor.

(D) In the case of an application for the appointment of a guardian of an alleged incompetent, all of the following:

(1) Name, age, and residence of the person for whom such appointment is sought;

(2) Facts upon which the application is based;

(3) Name, degree of kinship, age, and address of the next of kin of the alleged incompetent.

The court, on its own motion, shall proceed as provided in this chapter, upon suggestion by the bureau of workers' compensation that any person who has made application for or been awarded compensation or death benefits as an employee or the dependent of a killed employee is a minor or incompetent. In that case, no application need be filed and the bureau shall furnish the court with the name and residence of such person and the name, degree of kinship, age, and address of the father, mother, or next of kin of such person insofar as known by the bureau.

Section 2111.031 | Appointing physicians and other persons to determine need for guardianship.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

In connection with an application for the appointment of a guardian for an alleged incompetent, the court may appoint physicians and other qualified persons to examine, investigate, or represent the alleged incompetent, to assist the court in deciding whether a guardianship is necessary. If the person is determined to be an incompetent and a guardian is appointed for the person, the costs, fees, or expenses incurred to so assist the court shall be charged either against the estate of the person or against the applicant, unless the court determines, for good cause shown, that the costs, fees, or expenses are to be recovered from the county, in which case they shall be charged against the county. If the person is not determined to be an incompetent or a guardian is not appointed for the person, the costs, fees, or expenses incurred to so assist the court shall be charged against the applicant, unless the court determines, for good cause shown, that the costs, fees, or expenses are to be recovered from the county, in which case they shall be charged against the county.

A court may require the applicant to make an advance deposit of an amount that the court determines is necessary to defray the anticipated costs of examinations of an alleged incompetent and to cover fees or expenses to be incurred to assist it in deciding whether a guardianship is necessary.

This section does not affect or apply to the duties of a probate court investigator under sections 2111.04 and 2111.041 of the Revised Code.

Section 2111.04 | Notice of appointment.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Except for an interim or emergency guardian appointed under division (B)(2) or (3) of section 2111.02 of the Revised Code, no guardian of the person, the estate, or both shall be appointed until at least seven days after the probate court has caused written notice, setting forth the time and place of the hearing, to be served as follows:

(1) In the appointment of the guardian of a minor, notice shall be served as follows:

(a) Upon the minor, if over the age of fourteen, by personal service;

(b) Upon each parent of the minor whose name and address is known or with reasonable diligence can be ascertained, provided the parent is free from disability other than minority;

(c) Upon the next of kin of the minor who are known to reside in this state, if there is no living parent, the name and address of the parent cannot be ascertained, or the parent is under disability other than minority;

(d) Upon the person having the custody of the minor.

(2) In the appointment of the guardian of an incompetent, notice shall be served as follows:

(a)(i) Upon the person for whom appointment is sought by personal service, by a probate court investigator, or in the manner provided in division (A)(2)(a)(ii) of this section. The notice shall be in boldface type and shall inform the alleged incompetent, in boldface type, of the alleged incompetent's rights to be present at the hearing, to contest any application for the appointment of a guardian for the alleged incompetent's person, estate, or both, and to be represented by an attorney and of all of the rights set forth in division (C)(7) of section 2111.02 of the Revised Code.

(ii) If the person for whom appointment is sought is a resident of, or has a legal settlement in, the county in which the court has jurisdiction, but is absent from that county, the probate court may designate, by order, a temporary probate court investigator, in lieu of a regular probate court investigator appointed or designated under section 2101.11 of the Revised Code, to make the personal service of the notice described in division (A)(2)(a)(i) of this section upon the person for whom appointment is sought.

(b) Upon the next of kin of the person for whom appointment is sought who are known to reside in this state.

(B) After service of notice in accordance with division (A) of this section and for good cause shown, the court may appoint a guardian prior to the time limitation specified in that division.

(C) Notice may not be waived by the person for whom the appointment is sought.

(D) From the service of notice until the hearing, no sale, gift, conveyance, or encumbrance of the property of an alleged incompetent shall be valid as to persons having notice of the proceeding.

Section 2111.041 | Investigating circumstances of alleged incompetent.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

(A) At the time of the service of notice upon an alleged incompetent, as required by division (A)(2)(a) of section 2111.04 of the Revised Code, the court shall require a regular probate court investigator appointed or designated under section 2101.11 of the Revised Code or appoint a temporary probate court investigator to investigate the circumstances of the alleged incompetent, and, to the maximum extent feasible, to communicate to the alleged incompetent in a language or method of communication that the alleged incompetent can understand, the alleged incompetent's rights as specified in that division, and subsequently to file with the court a report that contains all of the following:

(1) A statement indicating that the notice was served and describing the extent to which the alleged incompetent's rights to be present at the hearing, to contest any application for the appointment of a guardian for the alleged incompetent's person, estate, or both, and to be represented by an attorney were communicated to the alleged incompetent in a language or method of communication understandable to the alleged incompetent;

(2) A brief description, as observed by the investigator, of the physical and mental condition of the alleged incompetent;

(3) A recommendation regarding the necessity for a guardianship or a less restrictive alternative;

(4) A recommendation regarding the necessity of appointing pursuant to section 2111.031 of the Revised Code, an attorney to represent the alleged incompetent.

(B) The report that is required by division (A) of this section shall be made a part of the record in the case and shall be considered by the court prior to establishing any guardianship for the alleged incompetent.

Section 2111.042 | Investigating and report regarding guardianship of minor.

• Effective: November 9, 1994
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 457 - 120th General Assembly

(A) In connection with the appointment of a guardian for a minor or the functioning of the guardianship of a minor, the court may appoint a regular probate court investigator appointed or designated under section 2101.11 of the Revised Code or appoint a temporary probate court investigator to investigate the need for, or the circumstances of, the guardianship and to file with the court a report that contains all of the following:

(1) A brief description, as observed by the investigator, of the physical and mental condition of the minor;

(2) If a guardian already has been appointed, a brief description, as observed by the investigator, of the circumstances and functioning of the guardianship;

(3) If no guardian has been appointed, a brief recommendation regarding the necessity for a guardianship.

(B) The report that is required pursuant to division (A) of this section shall be made part of the record in the case and shall be considered by the court prior to establishing any guardianship for the minor, if no guardianship has been established, and prior to making any change in the guardianship or the functioning of the guardianship, if a guardian already has been appointed.

Section 2111.05 | Termination of guardianship based on value of ward's estate.

• Effective: March 24, 2010
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 106 - 128th General Assembly

When the whole estate of a ward does not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars in value, the guardian may apply to the probate court for an order to terminate the guardianship. Upon proof that it would be for the best interest of the ward to terminate the guardianship, the court may order the guardianship terminated, and direct the guardian, if the ward is a minor, to deposit the assets of the guardianship in a depository authorized to receive fiduciary funds, payable to the ward when the ward attains majority, or the court may authorize the delivery of the assets to the natural guardian of the minor, to the person by whom the minor is maintained, to the executive director of children services in the county, or to the minor's own self.

If the ward is an incompetent, and the court orders the guardianship terminated, the court may authorize the deposit of the assets of the guardianship in a depository authorized to receive fiduciary funds in the name of a suitable person to be designated by the court, or if the assets do not consist of money, the court may authorize delivery to a suitable person to be designated by the court. The person receiving the assets shall hold and dispose of them in the manner the court directs.

If the court refuses to grant the application to terminate the guardianship, or if no such application is presented to the court, the guardian only shall be required to render account upon the termination of the guardianship, upon order of the probate court made upon its own motion, or upon the order of the court made on the motion of a person interested in the wards or their property, for good cause shown, and set forth upon the journal of the court.

If the estate is twenty-five thousand dollars or less and the ward is a minor, the court, without the appointment of a guardian by the court, or the giving of bond, may authorize the deposit in a depository authorized to receive fiduciary funds, payable to the guardian when appointed, or to the ward when the ward attains majority, or the court may authorize delivery to the natural guardian of the minor, to the person by whom the minor is maintained, to the executive director who is responsible for the administration of children services in the county, or to the minor's own self.

If the whole estate of a person over eighteen years of age, who has been adjudged incompetent, does not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars in value, the court, without the appointment of a guardian by the court or the giving of bond, may authorize the deposit of the estate in a depository authorized to receive fiduciary funds in the name of a suitable person to be designated by the court, or if the assets do not consist of money, the court may authorize delivery to a suitable person to be designated by the court. The person receiving the assets shall hold and dispose of them in the manner the court directs.

Section 2111.06 | Guardian of the person.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

If the powers of the person appointed as guardian of a minor or incompetent are not limited by the order of appointment, the person shall be guardian both of the person and estate of the ward. In every instance the court shall appoint the same person as guardian of the person and estate of the ward, unless in the opinion of the court the interests of the ward will be promoted by the appointment of different persons as guardians of the person and of the estate.

A guardian of the person of a minor shall be appointed as to a minor having no father or mother, whose parents are unsuitable persons to have the custody of the minor and to provide for the education of the minor as required by section 3321.01 of the Revised Code, or whose interests, in the opinion of the court, will be promoted by the appointment of a guardian. A guardian of the person shall have the custody and provide for the maintenance of the ward, and if the ward is a minor, the guardian shall also provide for the education of the ward as required by section 3321.01 of the Revised Code.

Before exercising its jurisdiction to appoint a guardian of a minor, the court shall comply with the jurisdictional standards of sections 3127.01 to 3127.53 of the Revised Code.

Section 2111.07 | Powers of guardian of person and estate.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

Each person appointed guardian of the person and estate of a minor shall have the custody of the ward, the obligation to provide for the education of the ward as required under section 3321.01 of the Revised Code, and the management of the ward's estate during minority, unless the guardian is removed or discharged from that trust or the guardianship terminates from any of the causes specified in Chapters 2101. to 2131. of the Revised Code.

Section 2111.08 | Parents are natural guardians.

• Effective: April 11, 1991
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 3 - 118th General Assembly

The wife and husband are the joint natural guardians of their minor children and are equally charged with their care, nurture, welfare, and education and the care and management of their estates. The wife and husband have equal powers, rights, and duties and neither parent has any right paramount to the right of the other concerning the parental rights and responsibilities for the care of the minor or the right to be the residential parent and legal custodian of the minor, the control of the services or the earnings of such minor, or any other matter affecting the minor; provided that if either parent, to the exclusion of the other, is maintaining and supporting the child, that parent shall have the paramount right to control the services and earnings of the child. Neither parent shall forcibly take a child from the guardianship of the parent who is the residential parent and legal custodian of the child.

If the wife and husband live apart, the court may award the guardianship of a minor to either parent, and the state in which the parent who is the residential parent and legal custodian or who otherwise has the lawful custody of the minor resides has jurisdiction to determine questions concerning the minor's guardianship.

Section 2111.09 | Administrator or executor ineligible to be appointed guardian.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

Unless expressly appointed or designated to act both as guardian and executor by a will in writing, no person who is or has been an administrator or executor of a will shall, prior to the approval of the person's final account as executor or administrator, be appointed a guardian of the person and estate or of the estate only of a ward who is interested in the estate administered upon or entitled to an interest under the will, except that a surviving spouse may be executor or administrator of the deceased spouse's estate and also guardian of the person and estate or of the estate only of a minor child of the surviving spouse, whether or not the minor child is interested in the estate of the deceased spouse. However, an executor or an administrator may be appointed a guardian of the person only of a ward.

Section 2111.091 | Restrictions on attorney representing guardian.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

No attorney who represents any other person and who is appointed as a guardian under this chapter or under any other provision of the Revised Code shall do either of the following:

(A) Act as a person with co-responsibility for any guardianship asset for which the guardian is responsible;

(B) Be a cosignatory on any financial account related to the guardianship, including any checking account, savings account, or other banking or trust account.

Section 2111.10 | Corporation as guardian.

• Effective: August 17, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 7 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "developmental disability" has the same meaning as in section 5123.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) Any appointment of a corporation as guardian shall apply to the estate only and not to the person, except when either of the following applies:

(1) A nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of this state and entitled to tax exempt status under section 501(a) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 501 that has a contract with the department of developmental disabilities to provide protective services may be appointed as a guardian of a person with a developmental disability and may serve as guardian pursuant to sections 5123.55 to 5123.59 of the Revised Code.

(2) A nonprofit corporation domiciled in this state and organized under the laws of this state and entitled to tax exempt status under section 501(a) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 501 may be appointed as a guardian of the person of an incompetent when certified by the probate court to receive such an appointment. The probate court shall certify that nonprofit corporation and any individual acting as a guardian on behalf of the nonprofit corporation upon meeting the requirements for serving as a guardian as prescribed by the supreme court in the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio and the rules of court adopted by the probate court of the county exercising jurisdiction over the incompetent. A nonprofit corporation appointed as guardian of the person of an incompetent shall not be the residential caregiver, health care provider, or employer of the incompetent.

Last updated May 20, 2021 at 2:10 PM

Section 2111.11 | Spouse may be appointed guardian.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When a guardian is appointed for a person having a spouse, the court may appoint such spouse as the guardian, if it is made to appear to the satisfaction of the court that such spouse is competent to discharge the duties of such appointment.

Section 2111.12 | Guardian of minor.

• Effective: March 22, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124, Senate Bill 117 - 129th General Assembly

(A) A minor over the age of fourteen years may select a guardian who shall be appointed if a suitable person. If a minor over the age of fourteen years fails to select a suitable person, an appointment may be made without reference to the minor's wishes. The minor shall not select one person to be the guardian of the minor's estate only and another to be the guardian of the person only, unless the court that appoints the guardian is of the opinion that the interests of that minor will be promoted by that selection.

(B) A surviving parent by a will in writing may appoint a guardian for any of the surviving parent's children, whether born at the time of making the will or afterward, to continue during the minority of the child or for a less time.

When the father or mother of a minor names a person as guardian of the estate of that minor in a will, the person named shall have preference in appointment over the person selected by the minor. A person named in that will as guardian of the person of that minor shall have no preference in appointment over the person selected by the minor, but in that event the probate court may appoint the person named in the will, the person selected by the minor, or some other person.

Whenever a testamentary guardian is appointed, the testamentary guardian's duties, powers, and liabilities in all other respects shall be governed by the law regulating guardians not appointed by will.

(C) A parent pursuant to a durable power of attorney under section 1337.24 or a writing as described in division (A) of section 2111.121 of the Revised Code may nominate a person to be a guardian for one or more of the parent's minor children, whether born at the time of the making of the nomination or afterward.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Section 2111.121 | Nomination of guardian.

• Effective: March 20, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 126 - 130th General Assembly

(A) A person may nominate in a writing, as described in this division, another person to be the guardian of the nominator's person, estate, or both or the guardian of the person, the estate, or both, of one or more of the nominator's minor or incompetent adult children, whether born at the time of the execution of the writing or afterward, subject to notice and a hearing pursuant to section 2111.02 of the Revised Code. The nomination is for consideration by a court if proceedings for the appointment of a guardian of the person, the estate, or both, for the person making the nomination or if proceedings for the appointment of a guardian as the guardian of the person, the estate, or both of one or more of the nominator's minor or incompetent adult children are commenced at a later time. The person may authorize, in a writing of that nature, the person nominated as guardian to nominate a successor guardian for consideration by a court. The person also may direct, in a writing of that nature, that bond be waived for a person nominated as guardian in it or nominated as a successor guardian in accordance with an authorization in it.

To be effective as a nomination, the writing shall be signed by the person making the nomination in the presence of two witnesses; signed by the witnesses; and contain, immediately prior to their signatures, an attestation of the witnesses that the person making the nomination signed the writing in their presence; or be acknowledged by the person making the nomination before a notary public.

(B) A person's nomination, in a writing as described in division (A) of this section, of a guardian of the nominator's person, estate, or both or of a guardian of the person, the estate, or both of one or more of the nominator's minor children or incompetent adult children is revoked by the person's subsequent nomination, in a writing as described in division (A) of this section, of a guardian of the nominator's person, estate, or both or of a guardian of the person, the estate, or both of one or more of the nominator's minor children or incompetent adult children, and, except for good cause shown or disqualification, the court shall make its appointment in accordance with the person's most recent nomination. If the writing contains a waiver of bond, the court shall waive bond of the person nominated as guardian unless it is of the opinion that the interest of the trust demands it.

(C) Nomination of a person as a guardian or successor guardian of the person, the estate, or both of one or more of the nominator's minor or incompetent adult children under division (A) of this section, and any subsequent appointment of the guardian or successor guardian as guardian under section 2111.02 of the Revised Code, does not vacate the jurisdiction of any other court that previously may have exercised jurisdiction over the person of the minor or incompetent adult child.

(D) The writing containing the nomination of a person to be the guardian of the person, the estate, or both of one or more of the nominator's minor or incompetent adult children under division (A) of this section may be filed with the probate court for safekeeping, and the probate court shall designate the nomination as the nomination of a standby guardian.

Section 2111.13 | Duties of guardian of person.

• Effective: October 12, 2006
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 426 - 126th General Assembly

(A) When a guardian is appointed to have the custody and maintenance of a ward, and to have charge of the education of the ward if the ward is a minor, the guardian's duties are as follows:

(1) To protect and control the person of the ward;

(2) To provide suitable maintenance for the ward when necessary, which shall be paid out of the estate of such ward upon the order of the guardian of the person;

(3) To provide such maintenance and education for such ward as the amount of the ward's estate justifies when the ward is a minor and has no father or mother, or has a father or mother who fails to maintain or educate the ward, which shall be paid out of such ward's estate upon the order of the guardian of the person;

(4) To obey all the orders and judgments of the probate court touching the guardianship.

(B) Except as provided in section 2111.131 of the Revised Code, no part of the ward's estate shall be used for the support, maintenance, or education of such ward unless ordered and approved by the court.

(C) A guardian of the person may authorize or approve the provision to the ward of medical, health, or other professional care, counsel, treatment, or services unless the ward or an interested party files objections with the probate court, or the court, by rule or order, provides otherwise.

(D) Unless a person with the right of disposition for a ward under section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code has made a decision regarding whether or not consent to an autopsy or post-mortem examination on the body of the deceased ward under section 2108.50 of the Revised Code shall be given, a guardian of the person of a ward who has died may consent to the autopsy or post-mortem examination.

(E) If a deceased ward did not have a guardian of the estate, the estate is not required to be administered by a probate court, and a person with the right of disposition for a ward, as described in section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of the Revised Code, has not made a decision regarding the disposition of the ward's body or remains, the guardian of the person of the ward may authorize the burial or cremation of the ward.

(F) A guardian who gives consent or authorization as described in divisions (D) and (E) of this section shall notify the probate court as soon as possible after giving the consent or authorization.

Section 2111.131 | Court order for payments of no more than $5,000 due to minor.

• Effective: April 6, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 432 - 131st General Assembly

(A) The probate court may enter an order that authorizes a person under a duty to pay or deliver money or personal property to a minor who does not have a guardian of the person and estate or a guardian of the estate, to perform that duty in amounts not exceeding five thousand dollars annually, by paying or delivering the money or property to any of the following:

(1) The guardian of the person only of the minor;

(2) The minor's natural guardians, if any, as determined pursuant to section 2111.08 of the Revised Code;

(3) The minor;

(4) Any person who has the care and custody of the minor and with whom the minor resides, other than a guardian of the person only or a natural guardian;

(5) A financial institution incident to a deposit in a federally insured savings account in the sole name of the minor;

(6) A custodian designated by the court in its order, for the minor under sections 5814.01 to 5814.10 of the Revised Code.

(B) An order entered pursuant to division (A) of this section authorizes the person or entity specified in it, to receive the money or personal property on behalf of the minor from the person under the duty to pay or deliver it, in amounts not exceeding five thousand dollars annually. Money or personal property so received by guardians of the person only, natural guardians, and custodians as described in division (A)(4) of this section may be used by them only for the support, maintenance, or education of the minor involved. The order of the court is prima-facie evidence that a guardian of the person only, a natural guardian, or a custodian as described in division (A)(4) of this section has the authority to use the money or personal property received.

(C) A person who pays or delivers moneys or personal property in accordance with a court order entered pursuant to division (A) of this section is not responsible for the proper application of the moneys or property by the recipient.

Section 2111.14 | Duties of guardian of estate.

• Effective: September 8, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 131st General Assembly

(A) In addition to a guardian's other duties, every guardian appointed to take care of the estate of a ward shall have the following duties:

(1) To make and file within three months after the guardian's appointment a full inventory of the real and personal property of the ward, its value, and the value of the yearly rent of the real property, provided that, if the guardian fails to file the inventory for thirty days after having been notified of the expiration of the time by the probate judge, the judge shall remove the guardian and appoint a successor;

(2) To manage the estate for the best interest of the ward;

(3) To pay all just debts due from the ward out of the estate in the possession or under the control of the guardian, collect all debts due to the ward, compound doubtful debts, and appear for and defend, or cause to be defended, all suits against the ward;

(4) To obey all orders and judgments of the courts touching the guardianship;

(5) To bring suit for the ward when a suit is in the best interests of the ward;

(6) To settle and adjust, when necessary or desirable, the assets that the guardian may receive in kind from an executor or administrator to the greatest advantage of the ward. Before a settlement and adjustment is valid and binding, it shall be approved by the probate court and the approval shall be entered on its journal. The guardian also shall have the approval of the probate court to hold the assets as received from the executor or administrator or to hold what may be received in the settlement and adjustment of those assets.

(B) No guardian appointed to take care of the estate of a ward may open a safety deposit box held in the name of the ward until the probate court issues a release to the guardian permitting the guardian to have access to the safety deposit box, which the court shall issue upon the guardian filing a request to obtain that access.

Section 2111.141 | Inventory to be supported by evidence.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

The court, by order or rule, may require that any inventory filed by a guardian pursuant to section 2111.14 of the Revised Code be supported by evidence that the inventory is a true and accurate inventory of the estate of the ward of the guardian. The evidence may include, but is not limited to, prior income tax returns, bank statements, and social security records of the ward or other documents that are relevant to determining the accuracy of the inventory. In order to verify the accuracy of an inventory, the court may order a guardian to produce any additional evidence that may tend to prove that the guardian is in possession of or has knowledge of assets that belong to the estate of the ward and that have not been included in the guardianship inventory. The additional evidence may include, but is not limited to, the guardian's income tax returns and bank statements and any other documents that are relevant to determining the accuracy of an inventory. The court may assign court employees or appoint an examiner to verify an inventory filed by a guardian. Upon appointment, the assigned court employees or appointed examiner shall conduct an investigation to verify the accuracy of the inventory filed by the guardian. Upon order of the court, the assigned court employees or appointed examiner may subpoena any documents necessary for the investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, the assigned court employees or appointed examiner shall file a report with the court. The court shall hold a hearing on the report with notice to all interested parties. At the hearing, the guardian shall have the right to examine and cross-examine any assigned court employees or appointed examiner who conducted the investigation and filed the report that is the subject of the hearing. The court shall charge any costs associated with the verification of an inventory filed by a guardian against the estate of the ward, except that, if the court determines that the guardian wrongfully withheld, or aided in the wrongful withholding, of assets from the inventory filed by the guardian, the court shall charge the costs against the guardian.

Section 2111.15 | Duties of guardian of person and estate.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When a person is appointed to have the custody of the person and to take charge of the estate of a ward, such person shall have all the duties required of a guardian of the estate and of a guardian of the person.

Section 2111.151 | Liability of guardian or conservator as to contracts and debts.

• Effective: October 1, 1996
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 391 - 121st General Assembly

(A) If a guardian of the estate, a guardian of the person and estate, a guardian of the person, or a conservator enters into a contract in the representative capacity of the guardian or conservator, if the contract is within the authority of the guardian or conservator, and if the guardian or conservator discloses in the contract that it is being entered into in the representative capacity of the guardian or conservator, the guardian or conservator is not personally liable on the contract, unless the contract otherwise specifies. If the words "guardian," "as guardian," "conservator," "as conservator," or any other word or words indicating representative capacity as a guardian of the estate, a guardian of the person and estate, a guardian of the person, or a conservator are included in a contract following the name or signature of the guardian or conservator, the inclusion is sufficient disclosure for purposes of this division that the contract is being entered into in the guardian's representative capacity as guardian of the estate, guardian of the person and the estate, or guardian of the person or is being entered into in the conservator's representative capacity as conservator.

(B) A guardian of the estate, a guardian of the person and estate, a guardian of the person, or a conservator is not personally liable for any debt of the ward or, in the case of a conservator, the physically infirm, competent adult, unless one or more of the following applies:

(1) The guardian or conservator agrees to be personally responsible for the debt.

(2) The debt was incurred for the support of the ward or the physically infirm, competent adult, and the guardian or conservator is liable for that debt because of another legal relationship that gives rise to or results in a duty of support relative to the ward or the physically infirm, competent adult.

(3) The negligence of the guardian or conservator gave rise to or resulted in the debt.

(4) An act of the guardian or conservator that was beyond the guardian's or conservator's authority gave rise to or resulted in the debt.

Section 2111.16 | Certain vouchers not allowed as credits.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

Unless previously authorized by the court, no voucher that is signed or purports to be signed by the ward shall be received from or allowed as a credit in the settlement of a guardian's account.

Section 2111.17 | Suits by guardians.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

A guardian may sue in the guardian's own name, describing the guardian as suing on behalf of the ward. When the guardianship ceases, actions or proceedings then pending shall not abate, if the right survives. The guardian's successor as guardian, the executor or administrator of the ward, or the ward, if the guardianship has terminated other than by the ward's death, shall be made party to the suit or other proceeding as the case requires, in the same manner an executor or administrator is made a party to a similar suit or proceeding if the plaintiff dies during its pendency.

Section 2111.18 | Claim for injury to ward or damage to property - settlement.

• Effective: April 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 202 - 134th General Assembly

If personal injury, damage to tangible or intangible property, or damage or loss on account of personal injury or damage to tangible or intangible property is caused to a ward by wrongful act, neglect, or default that would entitle the ward to maintain an action and recover damages for the injury, damage, or loss, and when any ward is entitled to maintain an action for damages or any other relief based on any claim or is subject to any claim to recover damages or any other relief based on any claim, the guardian of the estate of the ward may adjust and settle the claim with the advice, approval, and consent of the probate court. If it is proposed that a claim be settled for the net amount of twenty-five thousand dollars or less after payment of fees and expenses as allowed by the court, the court, upon application by any suitable person whom the court may authorize to receive and receipt for the settlement, may authorize the settlement without the appointment of a guardian and authorize the delivery of the moneys as provided in section 2111.05 of the Revised Code. The court may authorize the person receiving the moneys to execute a complete release on account of the receipt. The payment shall be a complete and final discharge of that claim. In the settlement, if the ward is a minor, the parent or parents of the minor may waive all claim for damages on account of loss of service of the minor, and that claim may be included in the settlement. If the claimant is a minor, records of proceedings pursuant to this section are not subject to disclosure to any person who is not a party to the settlement, or made available for publication or inspection, except upon motion and show of good cause.

Last updated March 3, 2023 at 2:04 PM

Section 2111.181 | Settlement of claim of emancipated minor.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

If personal injury, damage to tangible or intangible property, or damage or loss on account of personal injury or damage to tangible or intangible property is caused to a minor who claims to be emancipated, by wrongful act, neglect, or default that would entitle the minor to maintain an action and recover damages for the injury, damage, or loss, and if any minor who claims to be emancipated is entitled to maintain an action for damages or any other relief based on any claim, or is subject to any claim to recover damages or any other relief based on any claim, the minor who claims to be emancipated may file an application in the probate court in the county where the minor then resides, praying for a finding by the court that the minor is in fact emancipated, and authorizing, approving, and consenting to the settlement of the claim by the minor without the appointment of a guardian. Upon hearing on the application, after five days' written notice of the time and place of the hearing has been given to each of the living parents of the minor, whose name and address is known, provided the parent is free from disability other than minority, or, if there is no living parent, after that notice to the next of kin of the minor known to reside in the county, the court may find the minor to be emancipated, may authorize, approve, and consent to the settlement of the claim by the minor without the appointment of a guardian, may authorize the minor to receive and receipt for the settlement, and, upon the minor executing and delivering a full and complete release for the injuries, damages, losses, or claims, may authorize the delivery and payment of the moneys to the minor, to a trustee or guardian of the estate of the minor appointed by the court for the benefit of the minor, or to a depository authorized to receive fiduciary funds to hold the moneys payable to the ward when the ward attains majority, or for the benefit of the minor, as the court may direct.

Upon the finding of the probate court that the minor was, at the time of the injury, damage, loss, or claim, an emancipated minor, and provided the notice required by this section has been given to each living parent, whose name and address is known, then the release executed by the emancipated minor shall be a full and complete discharge and release of any claim that either or both of the parents might have by reason of the personal injury, damage to tangible or intangible property, damage or loss on account of personal injury, or damage to tangible or intangible property, or any other claim of the minor.

Section 2111.182 | Order for portion of funds to minor be deposited in trust.

• Effective: March 22, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 595 - 132nd General Assembly

If a minor is entitled to money or property whether by settlement or judgment for personal injury or damage to tangible or intangible property, inheritance or otherwise, the probate court may order that all or a portion of the amount received by the minor be deposited into a trust for the benefit of that beneficiary until the beneficiary reaches twenty-five years of age, and order the distribution of the amount in accordance with the provisions of the trust. Prior to the appointment as a trustee of a trust created pursuant to this section, the person to be appointed shall be approved by a parent or guardian of the minor beneficiary of the trust, unless otherwise ordered by the probate court.

Section 2111.19 | Completion of real property contracts.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

A guardian, whether appointed by a court in this state or elsewhere, may complete the contracts of the ward for the purchase or sale of real property or any authorized contract relating to real property entered into by a guardian who has died or been removed. The appointed guardian shall proceed in the manner provided by sections 2113.48 to 2113.50 of the Revised Code.

Section 2111.20 | Sale of personal estate.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

The guardian of the person and estate, or of the estate only, may sell all or any part of the personal property of the ward if the sale is for the interest of the ward.

Section 2111.21 | Sale, compromise, adjustment, or mortgage of dower.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

The guardian of a ward who has or is claimed to have a right of dower, or a contingent right to it, in real property of which the spouse of the ward was or is seized as an estate of inheritance, if the dower has not been assigned, may sell, compromise, or adjust the dower or may release the contingent right of dower in the event the spouse of the ward desires to mortgage the property upon the terms that the guardian considers for the interest of the ward and upon the terms that the probate court of the county in which the guardian was appointed approves, or if the guardian was appointed to a foreign state, upon the terms that the probate court of the county in which the real property is situated approves. After the approval, the guardian may execute and deliver all the necessary deeds, mortgages, releases, and agreements for the sale, compromise, assignment, or mortgage of the dower or contingent right to dower. As a basis for computing the value of an inchoate dower right in any sale, compromise, or adjustment pursuant to this section, the value of the real property may be considered to be the sale price or, if there is no sale, the appraised value. The sale, compromise, adjustment, or mortgage may be made upon application and entry in the pending proceedings.

Section 2111.22 | Release of ward's tax title by guardian.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

When a ward has title to real property by tax title only, the guardian, by deed of release and quitclaim, may convey the ward's interest or title to the person entitled to redeem the real property, upon receiving from that person the amount paid for the tax title with the forfeiture and interest allowed by sections 319.52 and 323.121 of the Revised Code. If the guardian tenders that deed to the person entitled to redeem the real property and the person so entitled refuses to accept and pay for it, the person entitled shall not recover costs in any proceeding thereafter instituted to redeem the real property.

Section 2111.23 | Guardian ad litem.

• Effective: October 16, 1953
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 40 - 100th General Assembly

Whenever a ward, for whom a guardian of the estate or of the person and estate has been appointed, is interested in any suit or proceeding in the probate court, such guardian shall in all such suits or proceedings act as guardian ad litem for such ward, except as to suits or proceedings in which the guardian has an adverse interest. Whenever a minor or other person under legal disability, for whom no guardian of the estate or of the person and estate has been appointed, is interested in any suit or proceeding in such court, the court may appoint a guardian or a guardian ad litem. In a suit or proceeding in which the guardian has an adverse interest, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent such minor or other person under legal disability.

Section 2111.24 | Insolvency of ward.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

If the probate court finds that the estate of a ward is insolvent or will probably be insolvent, such estate shall be settled by the guardian in like manner as for the settlement of the insolvent estate of a deceased person under section 2117.15 of the Revised Code.

Section 2111.25 | Lease for not more than three years.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

A guardian of the person and estate or of the estate only, without application to the probate court, may lease the possession or use of any real property of the ward for a term not exceeding three years, provided the term does not extend beyond the minority, if the ward is a minor. If the lease extends beyond the death of the ward or beyond the removal of the disability of a ward other than a minor, the lease shall terminate on that death or removal of disability, unless confirmed by the ward or the ward's legal representatives. In the event of such determination, the tenant shall have a lien on the premises for any sum expended by the tenant in pursuance of the lease in making improvements for which compensation was not made in rent or otherwise.

Section 2111.26 | Lease for term of years.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

A guardian may lease the possession and use of the real property of the guardian's ward or any part of it for a term of years, renewable or otherwise, by perpetual lease, with or without the privilege of purchase, or may lease upon the terms and for the time that the probate court approves any lands belonging to the ward containing coal, gypsum, petroleum oil, natural gas, gravel, stone, or any other mineral substance for the purpose of drilling, mining, or excavating for and removing any of those substances, or the guardian may modify or change in any respect any lease previously made.

The lease, or modification or change in a lease previously made, may be made when the guardian of the person and estate or of the estate only applies to the court by which the guardian was appointed and the court finds that the lease or modification or change is necessary for the support of the ward or of the ward's family, for the payment of the just debts of the ward, for the ward's education, if a minor, to secure the improvement of the real property of the ward and increase the rent, to pay any liens or claims against the real property, if the court finds that the real property is suffering unavoidable waste, or that in any other respect it will be for the best interests of the ward or those persons for whom the ward is required by law to provide.

Section 2111.27 | Petition.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

A guardian's application for authority to lease real property of a ward shall be by petition setting forth the following:

(A) The legal capacity of the petitioner;

(B) The name of the ward, the character of the ward's disability, and if it is incompetence, whether the disability is curable or not, temporary, or confirmed, and its duration;

(C) The number, names, ages, and residence of the family of the ward, including the spouse and those residents of the county who have the next estate of inheritance from the ward, all of whom, as well as the ward, shall be made defendants;

(D) The indebtedness of the ward, the expense of supporting and maintaining the ward, the expense of educating the ward if the ward is a minor, and any other expense of the ward;

(E) The value of all the property and effects of the ward including the real property proposed to be leased;

(F) The income of the ward and the net annual value to the ward of the real property proposed to be leased;

(G) A description of the real property proposed to be leased and the probable amount for which the real property can be leased;

(H) A detailed statement of the improvements proposed to be made to the real property sought to be leased;

(I) The reasons for the proposed lease and the terms, covenants, conditions, and stipulations of the proposed lease, including the time for which it is proposed the real property should be leased;

(J) Any other facts necessary to apprise the court fully of the necessity or benefit to the ward or the estate of the proposed lease, or any other facts that may be required by the court;

(K) A prayer for the proper authority.

Section 2111.28 | Parties.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

In an application for authority to lease real property of a ward under sections 2111.26 and 2111.27 of the Revised Code, the guardian may act for two or more wards and two or more guardians of different wards may unite if all the wards are jointly or in common interested in the real property. If the same person is guardian of two or more wards owning lands in common, the wards may be joined as defendants in the same petition under section 2111.27 of the Revised Code.

The ward's spouse shall be made a defendant to the petition, and if the proposed lease is for the purpose of mining or removing mineral or other substances and the spouse files an answer consenting to the lease, free and discharged of all right and expectancy of dower, the answer shall be a full release of the spouse's expectancy of dower when the lease is confirmed. Unless in the answer an allowance in lieu of dower is waived, the court shall allow, out of the proceeds of the lease, a sum in money that is the just and reasonable value of the expectancy of dower.

Section 2111.29 | Parties and proceedings.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

When a guardian files an application for authority to lease the real property of a ward, the same rules shall apply as to the parties and, upon the filing of the petition described in section 2111.27 of the Revised Code, similar proceedings shall be had as in an action to sell real property belonging to the ward under sections 2127.01 to 2127.43 of the Revised Code, including services of summons, notice, appraisal, pleading, rule days, and proof.

Section 2111.30 | Duties of appraisers.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

When a guardian applies for authority to lease the real property of a ward, the duties of the appraisers shall be the same as in proceedings to sell real property belonging to the ward under sections 2127.22 and 2127.23 of the Revised Code, except that they shall appraise not only the value of the real property but also the value of the annual rental upon the terms, covenants, conditions, and stipulations of the proposed lease. If the proposed lease is for the mining or removal of mineral or other substances, the appraisers shall report in writing to the probate court their opinion as to the probability of the lands containing those substances, the probable quantity of the substances, and the terms upon which it would be advantageous to the ward to lease the lands for mining or removing the substances. In their report the appraisers shall state whether in their opinion, the proposed lease will be for the best interests of the ward, those whom the ward is required by law to support, or the estate. They may also suggest any change in the terms, covenants, and stipulations proposed in the petition. The report of the appraisers shall be returned on or before the day named in the order for the final hearing of the case. On the return of the appraisement, the guardian need not give an additional bond, but in case of sale under the terms of the lease, the guardian shall give the additional bond before the confirmation of the sale.

Section 2111.31 | Hearing and order.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

If the report of the appraisers under section 2111.30 of the Revised Code is favorable to the lease and on the final hearing the court is of the opinion that it will be to the advantage of the ward, those whom the ward is required by law to support, or the estate to lease the real property, the probate court shall make an order authorizing the lease to be made by public or private letting, as it considers best, on the terms, covenants, conditions, and stipulations, either in accordance with those set forth in the petition or otherwise, that it directs, provided the terms, covenants, conditions, and stipulations are not less favorable to the ward than those reported by the appraisers. The lease shall not take effect until the lease and the security, if any, prescribed in the lease are approved and confirmed.

The lease made pursuant to the court order may provide that the improvements shall be made by the tenant as part of the rent, or by the guardian, either out of the rent or other means of the ward as the court directs.

If the lease is for the mining or removal of mineral or other substances and the guardian is unable to lease the lands upon the terms ordered, the guardian may report the fact to the court and the court may change the terms of leasing, but not below the customary royalty in the vicinity of the lands.

Section 2111.32 | Royalty.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

If the lease made pursuant to court order, under section 2111.31 of the Revised Code is for the mining or removal of mineral or other substances on a royalty basis, within six months after the receipt of the first royalty under such lease the guardian shall report to the probate court the amount thereof and the court shall then fix a bond which will cover such royalty. At any time the court deems the bond insufficient to secure the royalty, it may increase such bond or require a new one.

Section 2111.33 | Guardian may improve real property - petition.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

(A) A guardian may use the moneys and personal property of the guardian's ward to improve the ward's real property. The guardian shall file in the probate court in which the guardian was appointed a petition containing the following:

(1) A description of the premises to be improved;

(2) The amount of rent the premises yield at the time the petition is filed;

(3) In what manner the improvement is proposed to be made;

(4) The proposed expenditures for the improvement;

(5) The rent the premises will probably yield when so improved;

(6) A statement of the value of the ward's personal property;

(7) Other facts that are pertinent to the question whether the improvement should be made;

(8) A prayer that the guardian be authorized to use so much of the ward's money and personal property that is necessary to make the improvement;

(9) The character of the disability of the ward, and if it is incompetency, whether the disability is curable or not, temporary, or confirmed, and its duration;

(10) The names, ages, and residence of the family of the ward, including the spouse and those known to be residents of the county who have the next estate of inheritance from the ward. All of those persons, as well as the ward, shall be made defendants and notified of the pendency and prayer of the petition in the manner that the court directs.

(B) If the property is so situated that, to the best interests of the ward's estate, it can be advantageously improved in connection with the improvement of property adjacent to it, the petition shall show this and have a prayer to so improve the property.

Section 2111.34 | Proceedings.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

Upon the filing of the petition described in section 2111.33 of the Revised Code, similar proceedings shall be had as to pleadings and proof as on petition by a guardian to sell the real property of a ward under sections 2127.01 to 2127.43 of the Revised Code. The probate court shall appoint three disinterested freeholders of the county as commissioners to examine the premises to be improved, to examine the surroundings, and to report to the court their opinion whether the improvement proposed will be advantageous to the estate of the ward.

Section 2111.35 | Amount to be used for improvement.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

On the final hearing of a guardian's proceeding to improve the real property of the guardian's ward, if the prayer of the petition is granted, the probate court shall fix the amount of money and personal property that may be used in making the improvement. The court may authorize the guardian to unite with the owners of adjacent property, upon equitable terms and conditions that the court approves, for the improvement of the premises of the ward and for the proper management and repair of the property when so improved.

Section 2111.36 | Guardian's report.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

A guardian shall distinctly report to the probate court the amount of money and personal property expended in making an improvement to the ward's real property under section 2111.35 of the Revised Code, within forty days after the improvement is completed. If the ward dies before the removal of the disability and there are heirs who inherit real property only from the ward, the money expended shall descend and pass in the same manner as the ward's other personal property and shall be a charge on the premises improved in favor of the heirs who inherit the personal property.

Section 2111.37 | Guardian for nonresident.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

If a nonresident minor, incompetent, or person confined in a state, charitable, or correctional institution has real property or rights, credits, moneys, or other personal property in this state, the probate court of the county in which the property or a part of it is situated may appoint a resident guardian of the ward to manage, collect, lease, and take care of the ward's property. The appointment may be made whether or not a ward has a guardian, trustee, or other conservator in the state of the ward's residence, and, if the ward has a guardian, trustee, or other conservator in the state of the ward's residence, the control and authority of the resident guardian appointed in this state shall be superior as to all property of the ward in this state.

The first appointment of a resident guardian of a nonresident ward shall extend to all the property and effects of the ward in this state and exclude the jurisdiction of the probate court of any other county.

Section 2111.38 | Bond and duties.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

The resident guardian of a nonresident ward shall give bond and be bound and controlled by all the statutes of this state as though the resident guardian were a guardian of a ward resident in this state, and shall have all of the authority of a guardian of a resident ward including the authority to lease or sell real property belonging to the ward.

Unless removed by the probate court, a resident guardian of a nonresident minor shall hold that appointment until the minor dies or arrives at the age of majority, whether or not the minor is over fourteen years of age at the time of appointment. A resident guardian of any other nonresident ward shall hold that appointment until the death of the ward or until the court is satisfied that the necessity for the guardianship no longer exists.

All moneys due to the nonresident ward while the resident guardianship continues shall be paid over to the ward's foreign guardian so far as necessary or proper for the ward's support and maintenance. If the ward dies, the moneys shall be paid to the ward's ancillary administrator or other legal representative, provided that the court that appointed the resident guardian has satisfactory proof, as provided by section 2111.39 of the Revised Code, of the authority of the foreign guardian, administrator, or other legal representative to receive the moneys or properties of the nonresident ward, that the security given by the foreign guardian, administrator, or other legal representative is sufficient to protect the ward's interest or estate, and that the court considers it best for the ward or the ward's estate.

Section 2111.39 | Foreign guardian may collect money.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

When a foreign legal representative of a nonresident ward applies to have all or any of the moneys or property in the possession or under the control of the resident guardian of the ward paid or delivered to the foreign representative, the foreign representative shall file a petition or motion in the probate court by which the resident guardian was appointed. The resident guardian shall be given thirty days' notice of the time of hearing on the petition or motion, and the foreign representative shall produce an exemplification under the seal of the office, if there is a seal, of the proper court of the state of the foreign representative's residence containing all the entries on record in relation to the foreign representative's appointment and qualification, authenticated as required by the act of congress in those cases. Upon the hearing, the court shall make an order that it considers for the best interests of the nonresident ward or the nonresident ward's estate.

Section 2111.40 | When nonresident ward becomes a resident.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

If a nonresident ward for whom a resident guardian was appointed has become a resident since the appointment and a guardian has been appointed for the ward, the probate court shall remove the resident guardian previously appointed and require an immediate settlement of the account of the resident guardian previously appointed.

Section 2111.42 | Foreign guardians may receive property.

• Effective: October 4, 1984
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 263 - 115th General Assembly

If a guardian is appointed by a court of another state or territory or by a foreign country for a nonresident ward, and the ward is entitled to money or other property in the custody of an executor, administrator, or other person in this state, the executor, administrator, or other person may deliver the money or other property to the guardian of the nonresident ward.

Section 2111.43 | Foreign wards and guardians.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Wards living outside this state and owning lands within it are entitled to the benefit of Chapters 2101. to 2131., inclusive, of the Revised Code. Guardians appointed by foreign courts for nonresident wards may bring and maintain actions and enforce the collection of judgments rendered in such cases in their favor in the manner and to the extent that they could if appointed in this state, upon giving security for the costs which may accrue therein as other nonresidents do under sections 2323.30 to 2323.36, inclusive, of the Revised Code.

Section 2111.44 | Sale of real property of foreign wards.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

Applications for the sale of real property by guardians of wards who live out of this state shall be made in the county in which the land is situated. If the real property is situated in two or more counties, the application shall be made in one of the counties in which a part of it is situated. Additional security that may be approved by the probate court of the county in which the application is made shall be required from the guardian if considered necessary.

Section 2111.45 | Marriage of ward.

• Effective: January 1, 1990
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 46 - 118th General Assembly

The marriage of a ward shall terminate the guardianship as to the person, but not as to the estate, of the ward.

Section 2111.46 | Guardianship of minors.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

When a guardian has been appointed for a minor before the minor is over fourteen years of age, the guardian's power shall continue until the ward arrives at the age of majority, unless removed for good cause or unless the ward selects another suitable guardian. After the selection is made and approved by the probate court and the person selected is appointed and qualified, the powers of the former guardian shall cease. The former guardian's final account as guardian shall then be filed and settled in court.

Upon the termination of a guardianship of the person, estate, or both of a minor before the minor reaches eighteen years of age, if a successor guardian is not appointed and if the court finds that the minor is without proper care, the court shall certify a copy of its finding together with as much of the record and any further information that the court considers necessary, or as the juvenile court may request, to the juvenile court for further proceedings. Upon that certification, the juvenile court shall have exclusive jurisdiction respecting the minor.

Section 2111.47 | Wards other than minors.

• Effective: August 7, 2007
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 53 - 127th General Assembly

Upon reasonable notice to the guardian, to the ward, and to the person on whose application the appointment was made, and upon satisfactory proof that the necessity for the guardianship no longer exists or that the letters of appointment were improperly issued, the probate court shall order that the guardianship of an incompetent terminate and shall make an appropriate entry upon the journal. Thereupon the guardianship shall cease, the accounts of the guardian shall be settled by the court, and the ward shall be restored to the full control of the ward's property as before the appointment. Such entry terminating the guardianship of an incompetent person shall have the same effect as a determination by the court that such person is competent.

Section 2111.471 | Transfer of court having jurisdiction.

• Effective: October 5, 1961
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 3 - 104th General Assembly

If the ward for whom a guardian has been appointed removes to another county within this state and acquires a new residence or legal settlement therein, the probate court having jurisdiction over the guardian and the ward, may, on its own motion, or on motion of the guardian or any interested party, with the consent of the probate court of the county to which such ward has removed, transfer the jurisdiction over said guardian and ward to such probate court, provided it appears that such transfer would be in the best interest of the ward.

Thereupon, the original probate court shall prepare certified copies of the appointment, letters of guardianship, bond, inventory, the last account, if any, a full and complete transcript of its docket and journal entries up to and including the order of transfer and copies of such other papers as may be requested by the receiving court, and shall cause the same to be filed in the probate court accepting jurisdiction, all costs to be paid by the guardian out of the assets of the estate of the ward.

Upon the filing of the certified copies of the original papers and the transcript, and the payment of costs, the probate court to which the proceedings have been transferred may assign a case number and by journal entry, accept jurisdiction. A copy of the entry accepting jurisdiction shall be returned to the court of original jurisdiction. Thereupon, the probate court to which the proceedings have been transferred shall acquire jurisdiction over the guardian and the ward as though such probate court had jurisdiction and appointed the guardian in the first instance, and the jurisdiction of the probate court from which the proceedings have been transferred shall cease.

Section 2111.48 | Certain acts validated.

• Effective: January 13, 2012
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 129th General Assembly

All sales, leases, encumbrances, or liens made or created on any real property located in this state by guardians for persons who are incompetent by reason of advanced age or mental or physical disability since August 17, 1919, by order of any court of this state shall not be declared invalid for the reason that the guardians for the incompetents were not vested with all the statutory powers given to guardians of incompetents. Those acts of guardians for incompetents are legal and effective.

Section 2111.49 | Report of guardian of incompetent.

• Effective: October 12, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 158 - 131st General Assembly

(A)(1) Subject to division (A)(3) of this section, the guardian of an incompetent person shall file a guardian's report with the court two years after the date of the issuance of the guardian's letters of appointment and biennially after that time, or at any other time upon the motion or a rule of the probate court. The report shall be in a form prescribed by the court and shall include all of the following.

(a) The present address of the place of residence of the ward;

(b) The present address of the guardian;

(c) If the place of residence of the ward is not the ward's personal home, the name of the facility at which the ward resides and the name of the person responsible for the ward's care;

(d) The approximate number of times during the period covered by the report that the guardian has had contact with the ward, the nature of those contacts, and the date that the ward was last seen by the guardian;

(e) Any major changes in the physical or mental condition of the ward observed by the guardian;

(f) The opinion of the guardian as to the necessity for the continuation of the guardianship;

(g) The opinion of the guardian as to the adequacy of the present care of the ward;

(h) The date that the ward was last examined or otherwise seen by a physician and the purpose of that visit;

(i) A statement by a licensed physician, licensed clinical psychologist, licensed independent social worker, licensed professional clinical counselor, or developmental disability team that has evaluated or examined the ward within three months prior to the date of the report as to the need for continuing the guardianship.

(2) The court shall review a report filed pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section to determine if a continued necessity for the guardianship exists. The court may direct a probate court investigator to verify aspects of the report.

(3) Division (A)(1) of this section applies to guardians appointed prior to, as well as on or after, the effective date of this section. A guardian appointed prior to that date shall file the first report in accordance with any applicable court rule or motion, or, in the absence of such a rule or motion, upon the next occurring date on which a report would have been due if division (A)(1) of this section had been in effect on the date of appointment as guardian, and shall file all subsequently due reports biennially after that time.

(B) If, upon review of any report required by division (A)(1) of this section, the court finds that it is necessary to intervene in a guardianship, the court shall take any action that it determines is necessary, including, but not limited to, terminating or modifying the guardianship.

(C) Except as provided in this division, for any guardianship, upon written request by the ward, the ward's attorney, or any other interested party made at any time after the expiration of one hundred twenty days from the date of the original appointment of the guardian, a hearing shall be held in accordance with section 2111.02 of the Revised Code to evaluate the continued necessity of the guardianship. Upon written request, the court shall conduct a minimum of one hearing under this division in the calendar year in which the guardian was appointed, and upon written request, shall conduct a minimum of one hearing in each of the following calendar years. Upon its own motion or upon written request, the court may, in its discretion, conduct a hearing within the first one hundred twenty days after appointment of the guardian or conduct more than one hearing in a calendar year. If the ward alleges competence, the burden of proving incompetence shall be upon the applicant for guardianship or the guardian, by clear and convincing evidence.

Section 2111.50 | Probate court is superior guardian of wards.

• Effective: August 17, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 7 - 134th General Assembly

(A)(1) At all times, the probate court is the superior guardian of wards who are subject to its jurisdiction, and all guardians who are subject to the jurisdiction of the court shall obey all orders of the court that concern their wards or guardianships.

(2)(a) Subject to divisions (A)(2)(b) and (c) of this section, the control of a guardian over the person, the estate, or both of the guardian's ward is limited to the authority that is granted to the guardian by the Revised Code, relevant decisions of the courts of this state, and orders or rules of the probate court.

(b) Except for the powers specified in division (E) of this section and unless otherwise provided in or inconsistent with another section of the Revised Code, the probate court may confer upon a guardian any power that this section grants to the probate court in connection with wards. Nothing in this section is intended to create or imply a duty upon a guardian to apply for authority to exercise any power authorized in this section. No inference of impropriety or liability of the guardian or others associated with the guardian shall arise as a result of a guardian not applying for authority to exercise a power authorized in this section.

(c) For good cause shown, the probate court may limit or deny, by order or rule, any power that is granted to a guardian by a section of the Revised Code or relevant decisions of the courts of this state.

(B) In connection with any person whom the probate court has found to be an incompetent or a minor subject to guardianship and for whom the court has appointed a guardian, the court has, subject to divisions (C) to (E) of this section, all the powers that relate to the person and estate of the ward and that the ward could exercise if present and not a minor or under a disability, except the power to make or revoke a will. These powers include, but are not limited to, the power to do any of the following:

(1) Convey, release, or disclaim the present, contingent, or expectant interests in real or personal property of the ward, including, but not limited to, dower and any right of survivorship incident to a transfer on death designation, payable on death designation, survivorship tenancy, joint tenancy, or tenancy by the entireties;

(2) Exercise, release, or disclaim powers as a trustee, personal representative, custodian for a minor, guardian, or donee of a power of appointment;

(3) Subject to division (B)(4) of this section, enter into contracts that may not extend beyond the minority, disability, or life of the ward;

(4) Create, amend, or revoke revocable trusts of property of the estate of the ward that may extend beyond the minority, disability, or life of the ward;

(5) Exercise options to purchase securities or other property;

(6) Exercise rights to elect options under annuities and insurance policies, including changing beneficiaries of insurance policies, retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, and annuities, and to surrender an annuity or insurance policy for its cash value;

(7) Exercise the right to an elective share in the estate of the deceased spouse of the ward pursuant to Chapter 2106. of the Revised Code;

(8) Make gifts, in trust or otherwise, to relatives of the ward and, consistent with any prior pattern of the ward of giving to charities or of providing support for friends, to charities and friends of the ward.

(C) Except for the powers specified in division (D) of this section, all powers of the probate court that are specified in this chapter and that relate either to any person whom it has found to be an incompetent or a minor subject to guardianship and for whom it has appointed a guardian and all powers of a guardian that relate to the guardian's ward or guardianship as described in division (A)(2) of this section, shall be exercised in the best interest, as determined in the court's or guardian's judgment, of the following:

(1) The ward whom the probate court has found to be an incompetent or a minor subject to guardianship;

(2) The dependents of the ward;

(3) The members of the household of the ward.

(D) If the court is to exercise or direct the exercise, pursuant to division (B) of this section, of the power to make gifts in trust or otherwise, the following conditions shall apply:

(1) The exercise of the particular power shall not impair the financial ability of the estate of the ward whom the probate court has found to be an incompetent or a minor subject to guardianship and for whom the court has appointed a guardian, to provide for the ward's foreseeable needs for maintenance and care;

(2) If applicable, the court shall consider any of the following:

(a) The estate, income, and other tax advantages of the exercise of a particular power to the estate of a ward whom the probate court has found to be an incompetent or a minor subject to guardianship and for whom the court has appointed a guardian;

(b) Any pattern of giving of, or any pattern of support provided by, the ward prior to the ward's incompetence;

(c) The disposition of property made by the ward's will or revocable trust;

(d) If there is no knowledge of a will or revocable trust of the ward, the ward's prospective heirs;

(e) Any relevant and trustworthy statements of the ward, whether established by hearsay or other evidence.

(E)(1) The probate court shall cause notice as described in division (E)(2) of this section to be given and a hearing to be conducted prior to its exercise or direction of the exercise of any of the following powers pursuant to division (B) of this section:

(a) The exercise, release, or disclaimer of powers as a donee of a power of appointment;

(b) Unless the amount of the gift is no more than one thousand dollars, the making of a gift, in trust or otherwise;

(c) The power to create, amend, or revoke a revocable trust as described in division (B)(4) of this section;

(d) The power to exercise rights to elect options under annuities and insurance policies, including changing beneficiaries of insurance policies, retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, and annuities, and to surrender an annuity or insurance policy for its cash value, as described in division (B)(6) of this section.

(2) The notice required by division (E)(1) of this section shall be given to the following persons:

(a) Unless a guardian of a ward has applied for the exercise of a power specified in division (E)(1) of this section, to the guardian;

(b) To the ward whom the probate court has found to be an incompetent or a minor subject to guardianship;

(c) If known, to a guardian who applied for the exercise of a power specified in division (E)(1) of this section, to the prospective heirs of the ward whom the probate court has found to be an incompetent or a minor subject to guardianship under section 2105.06 of the Revised Code, to the beneficiaries under the last known will of the ward or under an existing revocable trust of the ward, and to any person who has a legal interest in property that may be divested or limited as the result of the exercise of a power specified in division (E)(1) of this section;

(d) To all of the following as applicable:

(i) The heirs at law and next of kin of the ward;

(ii) The beneficiaries under an existing will or revocable trust of the ward;

(iii) The beneficiaries of any insurance policies, retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, and annuities owned by the ward;

(iv) The beneficiaries under any proposed revocable trust and the proposed beneficiaries under any changes in the designation of beneficiaries of any insurance policies, retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or annuities as described in division (E)(2)(d)(iii) of this section.

(e) To any other persons the court orders.

(F) When considering any question related to, and issuing orders for, medical or surgical care or treatment of incompetents or minors subject to guardianship, the probate court has full parens patriae powers unless otherwise provided by a section of the Revised Code.

Last updated May 20, 2021 at 2:11 PM

Section 2111.51 | County indigent guardianship fund.

• Effective: November 9, 1994
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 457 - 120th General Assembly

Each county shall establish in the county treasury an indigent guardianship fund. All revenue that the general assembly appropriates to the indigent guardianship fund for a county, thirty dollars of the thirty-five-dollar fee collected pursuant to division (A)(34) of section 2101.16 of the Revised Code, and twenty dollars of the sixty-dollar fee collected pursuant to division (A)(59) () of that section shall be deposited into the fund that is established in that county. Expenditures from the fund shall be made only upon order of the probate judge and only for payment of any cost, fee, charge, or expense associated with the establishment, opening, maintenance, or termination of a guardianship for an indigent ward.

If a probate court determines that there are reasonably sufficient funds in the indigent guardianship fund of the county in which the court is located to meet the needs of indigent guardianships in that county, the court, by order, may declare a surplus in the indigent guardianship fund and expend the surplus funds for other guardianship expenses or for other court purposes.

Section 2111.52 | County probate court guardianship services fund; multicounty probate court guardianship services fund.

• Effective: March 22, 2019
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 595 - 132nd General Assembly

(A) A probate court may accept funds or other program assistance from, or charge fees for services described in division (C) of this section rendered to, individuals, corporations, agencies, or organizations, including, but not limited to, a county board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services or a county board of developmental disabilities, unless a county board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services or a county board of developmental disabilities does not agree to the payment of those fees. Any funds or fees received by the probate court under this division shall be paid into the county treasury and credited to a fund to be known as the county probate court guardianship services fund.

(B) The probate courts of two or more counties may accept funds or other program assistance from, or charge fees for services described in division (C) of this section rendered to, individuals, corporations, agencies, or organizations, including, but not limited to, a county board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services or a county board of developmental disabilities, unless a county board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services or a county board of developmental disabilities does not agree to the payment of those fees. Any funds or fees received by the probate courts of two or more counties under this division shall be paid into the county treasury of one or more of the counties and credited to a fund to be known as the multicounty probate court guardianship services fund.

(C) The moneys in a county or multicounty probate court guardianship services fund shall be used for services to help ensure the treatment of any person who is under the care of a county board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services or a county board of developmental disabilities, or any other guardianships. These services include, but are not limited to, involuntary commitment proceedings and the establishment and management of adult guardianships, including all associated expenses, for wards who are under the care of a county board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services, a county board of developmental disabilities, or any other guardianships.

(D) If a judge of a probate court determines that some of the moneys in the county or multicounty probate court guardianship services fund are needed for the efficient operation of the county or multicounty guardianship service board created under division (F) of this section, the moneys may be used for the acquisition of equipment, the hiring and training of staff, community services programs, volunteer guardianship training services, the employment of magistrates, and any other services necessary for the fulfillment of the duties of the county or multicounty guardianship service board.

(E) The moneys in the county or multicounty probate court guardianship services fund that may be used in part for the establishment and management of adult guardianships under division (C) of this section may be utilized to establish a county or multicounty guardianship service.

(F)(1) A county or multicounty guardianship service under division (E) of this section is established by creating a county or multicounty guardianship service board. The judge of the probate court shall appoint one member. The board of directors of a participating county board of developmental disabilities shall appoint one member. The board of directors of a participating county board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services shall appoint one member. Additional members of the guardianship service board may be added if the member or members of a guardianship service board unanimously agree. If neither the county board of developmental disabilities nor the county board of alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health services chooses to participate in the guardianship service board, the probate court may appoint additional members to the guardianship service board. The term of appointment of each member is four years.

(2) The county or multicounty guardianship services board may appoint a director of the board. The board shall determine the compensation of the director based on the availability of funds contained in the county or multi county probate court guardianship services fund.

(3) The county or multicounty guardianship services board may receive appointments from one or more county probate courts to serve as guardians of both the person and estate of wards. The director or any designee of a county or multicounty guardianship services board may act on behalf of the board in relation to all guardianship matters.

(4) The director of a county or multicounty guardianship services board may hire employees subject to available funds in the county or multi county probate court guardianship services fund.

(5) The county or multicounty guardianship services board may charge a reasonable fee for services provided to wards. A probate judge shall approve any fees charged by the board under division (F)(5) of this section.

(6) The county or multicounty guardianship services board that is created under division (F)(1) of this section shall promulgate all rules and regulations necessary for the efficient operation of the board and the county or multicounty guardianship services.