Chapter 2117 | Presentment Of Claims Against Estate

Section 2117.01 | Debts due an executor or administrator.

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

No part of the assets of a deceased shall be retained by an executor or administrator in satisfaction of the executor's or the administrator's own claim, until it has been proved to and allowed by the probate court. That debt is not entitled to preference over others of the same class.

Section 2117.02 | Presentation of claim to probate court.

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

An executor or administrator within three months after the date of appointment shall present any claim the executor or administrator has against the estate to the probate court for allowance. The claim shall not be paid unless allowed by the court. When an executor or administrator presents a claim amounting to five hundred dollars or more, the court shall fix a day not less than four nor more than six weeks from its presentation, when the testimony touching it shall be heard. The court shall issue an order directed to the executor or administrator requiring the executor or administrator to give notice in writing to all the heirs, legatees, or devisees of the decedent interested in the estate, and to the creditors named in the order. The notice shall contain a statement of the amount claimed, designate the time fixed for hearing the testimony, and be served upon the persons named in the order at least twenty days before the time for hearing. If any persons mentioned in the order are not residents of the county, service of notice may be made upon them by publication for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper published or circulating in the county, or as the court may direct. All persons named in the order shall be parties to the proceeding, and any other person having an interest in the estate may be made a party.

Section 2117.03 | Disinterested person to represent estate.

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

At any time after the presentation by an executor or administrator of a claim that the executor or administrator owns against the estate the executor or administrator represents to the probate court for allowance, the court on its own motion, or on motion by any interested party, may appoint an attorney to represent the estate, who shall receive the compensation from the estate that may be fixed by the court. The court shall require the executor or administrator to make available to the attorney, for use in connection with the proceeding, all documents belonging to the estate relating to the subject matter of the claim.

Section 2117.04 | Appeal from final order or judgment.

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

Upon the hearing as to the allowance of an executor's or administrator's claim against the estate the executor or administrator represents, an appeal may be taken from a final order or judgment of the probate court upon a matter of law by any person affected by the order or judgment.

Section 2117.05 | Compromise and settlement of claims.

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

On the application of an executor or administrator for authority to compromise and settle a claim in favor of or against a decedent's estate, the probate court, upon hearing on such application and after reasonable notice has been given to all persons who would be adversely affected thereby as determined by the court, may authorize or direct the executor or administrator to compromise and settle such claim on such terms as the court deems to be for the best interest of the estate. The court may dispense with the notice of such hearing if it deems notice to be unnecessary. An executor authorized by the will to make such compromise and settlement may but shall not be required to apply to the court for such authority.

Section 2117.06 | Presentation and allowance of creditor's claims - pending action against decedent.

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

(A) All creditors having claims against an estate, including claims arising out of contract, out of tort, on cognovit notes, or on judgments, whether due or not due, secured or unsecured, liquidated or unliquidated, shall present their claims in one of the following manners:

(1) After the appointment of an executor or administrator and prior to the filing of a final account or a certificate of termination, in one of the following manners:

(a) To the executor or administrator, or to an attorney who is identified as counsel for the executor or administrator in the probate court records for the estate of the decedent, in a writing;

(b) To the probate court in a writing that includes the probate court case number of the decedent's estate;

(c) In a writing that is actually received by the executor or administrator, or by an attorney who is identified as counsel for the executor or administrator in the probate court records for the estate of the decedent, within the appropriate time specified in division (B) of this section and without regard to whom the writing is addressed. For purposes of this division, if an executor or administrator is not a natural person, the writing shall be considered as being actually received by the executor or administrator only if the person charged with the primary responsibility of administering the estate of the decedent actually receives the writing within the appropriate time specified in division (B) of this section.

(2) If the final account or certificate of termination has been filed, in a writing to those distributees of the decedent's estate who may share liability for the payment of the claim.

(B) Except as provided in section 2117.061 of the Revised Code, all claims shall be presented within six months after the death of the decedent, whether or not the estate is released from administration or an executor or administrator is appointed during that six-month period. Every claim presented shall set forth the claimant's address.

(C) Except as provided in section 2117.061 of the Revised Code, a claim that is not presented within six months after the death of the decedent shall be forever barred as to all parties, including, but not limited to, devisees, legatees, and distributees. No payment shall be made on the claim and no action shall be maintained on the claim, except as otherwise provided in sections 2117.37 to 2117.42 of the Revised Code with reference to contingent claims.

(D) In the absence of any prior demand for allowance, the executor or administrator shall allow or reject all claims, except tax assessment claims, within thirty days after their presentation, provided that failure of the executor or administrator to allow or reject within that time shall not prevent the executor or administrator from doing so after that time and shall not prejudice the rights of any claimant. Upon the allowance of a claim, the executor or the administrator, on demand of the creditor, shall furnish the creditor with a written statement or memorandum of the fact and date of the allowance.

(E) If the executor or administrator has actual knowledge of a pending action commenced against the decedent prior to the decedent's death in a court of record in this state, the executor or administrator shall file a notice of the appointment of the executor or administrator in the pending action within ten days after acquiring that knowledge. If the administrator or executor is not a natural person, actual knowledge of a pending suit against the decedent shall be limited to the actual knowledge of the person charged with the primary responsibility of administering the estate of the decedent. Failure to file the notice within the ten-day period does not extend the claim period established by this section.

(F) This section applies to any person who is required to give written notice to the executor or administrator of a motion or application to revive an action pending against the decedent at the date of the death of the decedent.

(G) Nothing in this section or in section 2117.07 of the Revised Code shall be construed to reduce the periods of limitation or periods prior to repose in section 2125.02 or Chapter 2305. of the Revised Code, provided that no portion of any recovery on a claim brought pursuant to that section or any section in that chapter shall come from the assets of an estate unless the claim has been presented against the estate in accordance with Chapter 2117. of the Revised Code.

(H) Any person whose claim has been presented and has not been rejected after presentment is a creditor as that term is used in Chapters 2113. to 2125. of the Revised Code. Claims that are contingent need not be presented except as provided in sections 2117.37 to 2117.42 of the Revised Code, but, whether presented pursuant to those sections or this section, contingent claims may be presented in any of the manners described in division (A) of this section.

(I) If a creditor presents a claim against an estate in accordance with division (A)(1)(b) of this section, the probate court shall not close the administration of the estate until that claim is allowed or rejected.

(J) The probate court shall not require an executor or administrator to make and return into the court a schedule of claims against the estate.

(K) If the executor or administrator makes a distribution of the assets of the estate pursuant to section 2113.53 of the Revised Code and prior to the expiration of the time for the presentation of claims as set forth in this section, the executor or administrator shall provide notice on the account delivered to each distributee that the distributee may be liable to the estate if a claim is presented prior to the filing of the final account and may be liable to the claimant if the claim is presented after the filing of the final account up to the value of the distribution and may be required to return all or any part of the value of the distribution if a valid claim is subsequently made against the estate within the time permitted under this section.

Last updated March 3, 2023 at 2:04 PM

Section 2117.061 | Notice of receipt of medicaid benefits to administrator of estate recovery program.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Medicaid estate recovery program" means the program instituted under section 5162.21 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Person responsible for the estate" means the executor, administrator, commissioner, or person who filed pursuant to section 2113.03 of the Revised Code for release from administration of an estate.

(B) The person responsible for the estate of a decedent subject to the medicaid estate recovery program or the estate of a decedent who was the spouse of a decedent subject to the medicaid estate recovery program shall submit a properly completed medicaid estate recovery notice form to the administrator of the medicaid estate recovery program not later than thirty days after the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) The granting of letters of administration or letters testamentary;

(2) The filing of an application for release from administration or summary release from administration.

(C) The person responsible for the estate shall mark the appropriate box on the appropriate probate form that gives notice to the administrator of the medicaid estate recovery program to indicate compliance with the requirements of division (B) of this section.

(D) The administrator of the medicaid estate recovery program shall present a claim for estate recovery to the person responsible for the estate of the decedent or the person's legal representative not later than ninety days after the date on which the medicaid estate recovery notice form is received under division (B) of this section or one year after the decedent's death, whichever is later.

Section 2117.07 | Acceleration of bar against claims of potential claimants.

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

An executor or administrator may accelerate the bar against claims against the estate established by section 2117.06 of the Revised Code by giving written notice to a potential claimant that identifies the decedent by name, states the date of the death of the decedent, identifies the executor or administrator by name and mailing address, and informs the potential claimant that any claims the claimant may have against the estate are required to be presented to the executor or administrator in a writing in the manner provided in section 2117.06 of the Revised Code within the earlier of thirty days after receipt of the notice by the potential claimant or six months after the date of the death of the decedent. A claim of that potential claimant that is not presented in the manner provided by section 2117.06 of the Revised Code within the earlier of thirty days after receipt of the notice by the potential claimant or six months after the date of the death of the decedent is barred by section 2117.06 of the Revised Code in the same manner as if it was not presented within six months after the date of the death of the decedent.

Last updated March 3, 2023 at 2:03 PM

Section 2117.08 | Authentication of claims.

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

When a claim is presented against the estate of a deceased person, the executor or administrator may require satisfactory written proof in support of it and also the affidavit of the claimant that the claim is justly due, that no payments have been made on the claim, and that there are no counterclaims against it to the claimant's knowledge. The affidavit shall set forth any security held for the payment of the claim and, if the claim is not due, the date of maturity. If the claim arises out of tort, or if preference in payment is claimed, the facts in connection with the alleged tort or showing the right to that preference shall be briefly set forth.

Section 2117.09 | Disputed claims.

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

If an executor or administrator doubts the justice of any claim presented against the estate the executor or administrator represents, the executor or administrator may enter into an agreement in writing with the claimant to refer the matter in controversy to three disinterested persons, who shall be approved by the probate judge.

Upon filing the agreement of reference in the probate court of the county in which the letters testamentary or of administration were issued, the judge shall docket the cause and make an order referring the matter in controversy to the referees selected.

The referees shall proceed to hear and determine the matter and make their report to the court. The referees shall have the same powers and be entitled to the same compensation and the same proceedings shall be followed as if the reference were made under the provisions for arbitrations under a rule of the court of common pleas. The court may set aside the report of the referees, appoint others in their places, or confirm the report and adjudge costs as in actions against executors and administrators. The judgment of the court shall be valid and effectual.

Section 2117.10 | Failure of lienholder to present claim.

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

The failure of the holder of a valid lien upon any of the assets of an estate to present the lienholder's claim upon the indebtedness secured by the lien, as provided in this chapter, shall not affect the lien if the same is evidenced by a document admitted to public record, or is evidenced by actual possession of the real or personal property that is subject to the lien.

Section 2117.11 | Rejection of a claim.

• Effective: April 8, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 125th General Assembly

An executor or administrator, or a distributee who receives the presentation of a claim as provided in division (A)(2) of section 2117.06 of the Revised Code, shall reject a creditor's claim against the estate by giving the claimant written notice of the disallowance of the claim. The notice shall be given to the claimant pursuant to Civil Rule 73. Notice by mail shall be effective on delivery of the mail at the address given. A claim may be rejected in whole or in part. A claim that has been allowed may be rejected at any time after allowance of the claim.

A claim is rejected if the executor or administrator, or a distributee who receives the presentation of a claim as provided in division (A)(2) of section 2117.06 of the Revised Code, on demand in writing by the claimant for an allowance of the claim within five days, which demand may be made at presentation or at any time after presentation, fails to give to the claimant, within that five-day period, a written statement of the allowance of the claim. The rejection shall become effective at the expiration of that period.

Section 2117.12 | Action on rejected claim barred.

• Effective: April 8, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 51 - 125th General Assembly

When a claim against an estate has been rejected in whole or in part but not referred to referees, or when a claim has been allowed in whole or in part and thereafter rejected, the claimant must commence an action on the claim, or that part of the claim that was rejected, within two months after the rejection if the debt or that part of the debt that was rejected is then due, or within two months after that debt or part of the debt that was rejected becomes due, or be forever barred from maintaining an action on the claim or part of the claim that was rejected. If the executor or administrator dies, resigns, or is removed within that two-month period and before action is commenced on the claim or part of the claim that was rejected, the action may be commenced within two months after the appointment of a successor.

For the purposes of this section, the action of a claimant is commenced when the complaint and praecipe for service of summons on the executor or administrator, or on the distributee who received the presentation of the claim as provided in division (A)(2) of section 2117.06 of the Revised Code, have been filed.

Section 2117.13 | Claims rejected on requisition of heir, devisee, or creditor.

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

If a devisee, legatee, heir, creditor, or other interested party files in the probate court a written requisition on the executor or administrator to reject a claim presented for allowance against the estate the executor or administrator represents, whether the claim has been allowed or not, but which claim has not been paid in full, and enters into a sufficient bond running to the executor or administrator, the amount, terms, and surety of which are to be approved by the probate judge, the claim shall be rejected by the executor or administrator. The notice of rejection shall inform the claimant of the filing of the requisition and of the name of the party filing the same. The condition of the bond shall be to pay all costs and expenses of contesting the claim, including any reasonable fee that the court allows to the attorney for the executor or administrator, in case the claim finally is allowed in whole, and if the claim is allowed only in part, to pay that part of the expenses that the court may determine, including any reasonable fee that the court may allow to the attorney for the executor or administrator.

Section 2117.14 | Parties to action on claim rejected on requisition.

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

The devisee, legatee, heir, creditor, or other interested party filing the requisition referred to in section 2117.13 of the Revised Code, shall be made a party defendant with the executor or administrator to any action on a claim rejected on requisition and have a right to plead and make any defense thereto. Any judgment in favor of the claimant shall be against the executor or administrator only.

Section 2117.15 | Payment of debts - report of insolvency.

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

An executor or administrator may proceed to pay the debts due from the estate in accordance with Chapters 2113. to 2125. of the Revised Code. If it appears at any time that the estate is insolvent, the executor or administrator may report that fact to the court, and apply for any order that the executor or administrator considers necessary because of the insolvency. In case of insolvency, a creditor who has been paid according to law shall not be required to make any refund.

Section 2117.17 | Hearing allowing and classifying claims.

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

(A) The probate court on its own motion may, and on motion of the executor or administrator shall, assign all claims against the estate that have been presented and any other known valid debts of the estate for hearing on a day certain. Upon the assignment, and in no case less than ten days before the date fixed for hearing or a longer period that the court may order, the executor or administrator shall cause written notice of the hearing to be served upon the following persons who have not waived the notice in writing or otherwise voluntarily entered their appearance:

(1) If it appears that the estate is fully solvent, the notice shall be given to the surviving spouse and all other persons having an interest in the estate as devisees, legatees, heirs, and distributees.

(2) If it appears probable that there will not be sufficient assets to pay all of the valid debts of the estate in full, then the notice also shall be given to all creditors and claimants whose claims have been rejected and whose rights have not been finally determined by judgment, reference, or lapse of time.

(B) The notice required by this section shall state that a hearing concerning the debts has been scheduled, shall set forth the time and place of the hearing, and shall state that the action of the executor or administrator in allowing and classifying claims will be confirmed at the hearing unless cause to the contrary is shown. The notice shall be served personally or by certified mail in the manner specified for service of notice of the rejection of a claim under section 2117.11 of the Revised Code. Proof of service of the notice to the satisfaction of the court, by affidavit or otherwise, and all waivers of service shall be filed in court at the time of the hearing. At any time before hearing, any interested person may file exceptions in writing to the allowance or classification of any specific claim. The court may cause or permit other interested persons to be served with notice and witnesses to be subpoenaed as may be required to present the issues fully.

(C) The court, upon the hearing, shall determine whether the executor or administrator acted properly in allowing and classifying each claim and shall make an order confirming or disapproving that action.

(D) An order of the court disapproving the allowance of a claim shall have the same effect as a rejection of the claim on the date on which the claimant is served with notice of the court's order. Notice of the court's order shall be served personally or by certified mail in the manner specified for service of notice of the rejection of a claim under section 2117.11 of the Revised Code. An order of the court confirming the allowance or classification of a claim shall constitute a final order and shall have the same effect as a judgment at law or decree in equity, and shall be final as to all persons having notice of the hearing and as to claimants subsequently presenting their claims, though without notice of the hearing. In the absence of fraud, the allowance and classification of a claim and the subsequent payment of it in good faith shall not be subject to question upon exceptions to the executor's or administrator's accounts. The confirmation of a claim by the court shall not preclude the executor or administrator from thereafter rejecting the claim on discovery of error in the executor's or administrator's previous action or on requisition as provided in sections 2117.13 and 2117.14 of the Revised Code.

Section 2117.18 | Personal property taxes, penalties, and interest.

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

Taxes, penalties, and interest placed on a duplicate or added by the county auditor or the tax commissioner because of a failure to make a return or because of a false or incomplete return for taxation shall be a debt of a decedent and have the same priority and be paid as other taxes. Those taxes, penalties, and interest shall be collectible out of the property of the estate either before or after distribution, by any means provided for collecting other taxes. No distribution or payment of inferior debts or claims shall defeat that collection, but the tax, penalty, or interest shall not be added before notice to the executor or administrator, and before an opportunity is given to the executor or administrator to be heard. All taxes omitted by the deceased shall be charged on the tax lists and duplicate in the deceased's name.

In all additions to the personal tax lists and duplicate under this section, each succeeding tax year shall be considered as beginning at the time of the completion of the annual settlement of the duplicate for the previous year with the county treasurer.

Section 2117.19 | No allowance to tax inquisitors.

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

For the years during which property is required to be listed in the name of an executor or administrator, no percentage or part of any increased tax on such property of an estate, covered by an inventory required by section 2115.02 of the Revised Code, shall be allowed or paid to a person under a contract for securing for taxation, or putting on the tax list or duplicate, property omitted, or not listed or returned for taxation.

Section 2117.25 | Order in which debts to be paid.

• Effective: September 29, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly

(A) Every executor or administrator shall proceed with diligence to pay the debts of the decedent and shall apply the assets in the following order:

(1) Costs and expenses of administration;

(2) An amount, not exceeding four thousand dollars, for funeral expenses that are included in the bill of a funeral director, funeral expenses other than those in the bill of a funeral director that are approved by the probate court, and an amount, not exceeding three thousand dollars, for burial and cemetery expenses, including that portion of the funeral director's bill allocated to cemetery expenses that have been paid to the cemetery by the funeral director.

For purposes of division (A)(2) of this section, burial and cemetery expenses shall be limited to the following:

(a) The purchase of a right of interment;

(b) Monuments or other markers;

(c) The outer burial container;

(d) The cost of opening and closing the place of interment;

(e) The urn.

(3) The allowance for support made to the surviving spouse, minor children, or both under section 2106.13 of the Revised Code;

(4) Debts entitled to a preference under the laws of the United States;

(5) Expenses of the last sickness of the decedent;

(6) If the total bill of a funeral director for funeral expenses exceeds four thousand dollars, then, in addition to the amount described in division (A)(2) of this section, an amount, not exceeding two thousand dollars, for funeral expenses that are included in the bill and that exceed four thousand dollars;

(7) Expenses of the decedent's last continuous stay in a nursing home as defined in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code, residential facility as defined in section 5123.19 of the Revised Code, or hospital long-term care unit as defined in section 5168.40 of the Revised Code.

For purposes of division (A)(7) of this section, a decedent's last continuous stay includes up to thirty consecutive days during which the decedent was temporarily absent from the nursing home, residential facility, or hospital long-term care unit.

(8) Personal property taxes, claims made under the medicaid estate recovery program instituted pursuant to section 5162.21 of the Revised Code, and obligations for which the decedent was personally liable to the state or any of its subdivisions;

(9) Debts for manual labor performed for the decedent within twelve months preceding the decedent's death, not exceeding three hundred dollars to any one person;

(10) Other debts for which claims have been presented and finally allowed.

(B) The part of the bill of a funeral director that exceeds the total of six thousand dollars as described in divisions (A)(2) and (6) of this section, and the part of a claim included in division (A)(9) of this section that exceeds three hundred dollars shall be included as a debt under division (A)(10) of this section, depending upon the time when the claim for the additional amount is presented.

(C) Any natural person or fiduciary who pays a claim of any creditor described in division (A) of this section shall be subrogated to the rights of that creditor proportionate to the amount of the payment and shall be entitled to reimbursement for that amount in accordance with the priority of payments set forth in that division.

(D)(1) Chapters 2113. to 2125. of the Revised Code, relating to the manner in which and the time within which claims shall be presented, shall apply to claims set forth in divisions (A)(2), (6), and (9) of this section. Claims for an expense of administration or for the allowance for support need not be presented. The executor or administrator shall pay debts included in divisions (A)(4) and (8) of this section, of which the executor or administrator has knowledge, regardless of presentation.

(2) The giving of written notice to an executor or administrator of a motion or application to revive an action pending against the decedent at the date of death shall be equivalent to the presentation of a claim to the executor or administrator for the purpose of determining the order of payment of any judgment rendered or decree entered in such an action.

(E) No payments shall be made to creditors of one class until all those of the preceding class are fully paid or provided for. If the assets are insufficient to pay all the claims of one class, the creditors of that class shall be paid ratably.

(F) If it appears at any time that the assets have been exhausted in paying prior or preferred charges, allowances, or claims, those payments shall be a bar to an action on any claim not entitled to that priority or preference.

Section 2117.251 | Claim of funeral director arises after death - preneed funeral contracts.

• Effective: July 6, 2009
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 196 - 127th General Assembly

A claim under the bill of a funeral director pursuant to section 2117.25 of the Revised Code arises subsequent to the death of the decedent and is not in satisfaction of a personal obligation of the individual during the individual's lifetime. If a decedent during the decedent's lifetime has purchased an irrevocable preneed funeral contract pursuant to section 4717.34 of the Revised Code, then those provisions of section 2117.25 of the Revised Code that relate to the bill of a funeral director, including divisions (A) and (B) of that section, do not apply to the estate of the decedent and the estate is not liable for the funeral expenses of the decedent.

Section 2117.27 | Vendor's lien not preferred.

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

A vendor's lien not disclosed of record shall not, after the death of the vendee, have priority as against general creditors of the deceased.

Section 2117.28 | Debts not due.

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

Debts not due may, and on demand of the creditor shall, if assets are available therefor, be paid by the executor or administrator according to the class to which they belong. If the debt does not bear interest before maturity, it shall be discounted at the legal rate of interest; otherwise the stipulated rate of interest shall be paid to time of payment. If a creditor whose claim is not due refuses to accept payment as provided in this section, the executor or administrator shall set aside assets to satisfy such claim. The sufficiency of such assets and the manner and place of holding and preserving the same shall be first approved by the probate judge after notice to the creditor, and if such assets thereafter become insufficient to pay such claim in full because of depreciation or loss without fault of the executor or administrator, neither the executor nor administrator nor the remaining assets of the estate shall be liable to such creditor by reason thereof.

After setting aside such assets, the executor or administrator may proceed to make payment and distribution of the remaining assets of the estate and to settle the same without recourse by such creditor to the assets so distributed.

Section 2117.29 | Beneficiary taking subject to mortgage.

• Effective: January 9, 1961
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 104th General Assembly

When the only debts of an estate remaining unpaid are secured by liens on property of the estate, the devisees, legatees, or heirs entitled to receive such property may be permitted to take the same subject to such liens, if all the lienholders consent and waive recourse to all the other assets of the estate in the event such property so taken is insufficient to pay the debts secured by such liens.

Section 2117.30 | Suits against executor or administrator.

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

(A) No suit shall be brought against an executor or administrator by a creditor of the decedent or by any other party interested in the estate until after five months from the time of the appointment of the executor or administrator, or the expiration of the further time allowed by the probate court for the collection of the assets of the estate, except in the following cases:

(1) On claims rejected in whole or in part;

(2) For the enforcement of a lien against or involving title to specific property;

(3) For the recovery of a claim that would not be affected by the insolvency of the estate;

(4) On account of fraud, conversion, or concealment of assets;

(5) Any other action as to which a different rule is prescribed by statute.

(B) When an executor or administrator dies, resigns, or is removed without having fully administered the estate of the deceased, the time between the executor's or administrator's death, resignation, or removal and the appointment of a successor shall be excluded in computing the five months or longer period provided in division (A) of this section. In any event, the executor's or administrator's successor shall not be held to answer the suit until after the expiration of four months from the date of the successor's appointment, or a further time allowed the executor or administrator by the court for the collection of the assets of the estate.

Section 2117.31 | Estate of deceased joint debtor.

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

When two or more persons are indebted in a joint contract, or upon a judgment founded on the joint contract, and either of them dies, the decedent's estate shall be liable for the debt as if the contract had been joint and several, or as if the judgment had been against the decedent alone. This section shall not affect the rights of a surety, when certified as such, in a judgment rendered jointly against the surety and the surety's principal.

Section 2117.33 | Claims previously barred.

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

No law relating to limitation of actions against a new administrator shall revive a claim which is barred, during the continuance in office of the original executor or administrator, or of a former administrator de bonis non.

Section 2117.34 | Execution - limitations.

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

No execution against the assets of an estate shall issue upon a judgment against an executor or administrator unless upon the order of the probate court that appointed the executor or administrator. If an account has been rendered by the executor or administrator and settled by the court, the execution shall issue only for the sum that appeared, on settlement of the account, to be a just proportion of the assets applicable to the judgment. The order of the court allowing the execution shall fix the amount for which the execution shall issue.

Section 2117.35 | Executions against executor or administrator.

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

All executions against executors and administrators for debts due from the deceased shall run against the assets of the estate of the deceased in the possession or under the control of the executors and administrators.

Section 2117.36 | Real property not liable for debts.

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

No real property of a deceased person that has been aliened or encumbered by the decedent's heirs prior to the issuing of letters testamentary or of administration shall be liable while in the possession or under the control of a bona fide purchaser for value or to the prejudice of a bona fide lessee or encumbrancer for value for debts of the deceased person unless letters testamentary or of administration are granted within four years from the date of death of the deceased person. No real property of a deceased person that has been aliened or encumbered by the decedent's heirs or devisees after the issuance of letters testamentary or of administration shall be liable while in the possession or under the control of a bona fide purchaser for value or to the prejudice of a bona fide lessee or encumbrancer for value for debts of a deceased person unless suit is brought to subject the real property to the payment of those debts prior to the settlement of the executor's or administrator's final account or what purports to be the executor's or administrator's final account; provided that if the final account is not filed and settled within four years after the granting of letters testamentary or of administration, but excluding for these purposes the time that any action is pending against the executors or administrators for the establishment or collection of any claim against the deceased, the real property so aliened shall not be liable for the debts of the deceased unless suit is brought to subject the real property to those debts within that four-year period. The heir or devisee aliening the real property shall be liable for its value, with legal interest from the time of alienation, to the creditors of the deceased in the manner and within the limitations provided by law. This section does not enlarge or extend the right of the creditors of any deceased person against the deceased person's real property, repeal any limitations contained in other sections of the Revised Code, or apply to mortgages or liens of record at the time of the death of the deceased person.

Section 2117.37 | Presentation of contingent claims.

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

If a claim is contingent at the time of a decedent's death and a cause of action subsequently accrues on the claim, it shall be presented to the executor or administrator, in the same manner as other claims, before the expiration of six months after the date of death of the decedent, or before the expiration of two months after the cause of action accrues, whichever is later, except as provided in section 2117.39 of the Revised Code. The executor or administrator shall allow or reject the claim in the same manner as other claims are allowed or rejected. If the claim is allowed, the executor or administrator shall proceed to pay it. If the claim is rejected, the claimant shall commence an action on the claim within two months after the rejection or be forever barred from maintaining an action on the claim.

Section 2117.38 | Assets from which payment to be made.

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

If an executor or administrator has made a partial distribution of the assets of the estate at the time a claim is presented under section 2117.37 of the Revised Code, and if the claim is allowed or after rejection is found to be due from the estate, but the assets remaining in the possession of the executor or administrator are insufficient to pay the claim in full, the assets remaining shall first be exhausted before proceeding to recover against the distributees of the assets of the estate. If a contingent claim is allowed or if after rejection it is found to be due from the estate, the creditor may bring an action thereon to recover from the distributees of the decedent's estate as provided in sections 2117.41 and 2117.42, inclusive, of the Revised Code, within two months after the final payment on account thereof by the executor or administrator, if such recovery is necessary for the payment of the claim in full.

Section 2117.39 | Contingent claims not to be presented.

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

If at the time a cause of action accrues on a contingent claim against a decedent's estate, or if within two months thereafter an account of final distribution has been filed, no claim need be presented to the executor or administrator and the claimant may proceed by civil action against the distributees of the decedent's estate as provided in sections 2117.41 and 2117.42 of the Revised Code.

Section 2117.40 | Estate of deceased in the hands of heirs.

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

If a cause of action on a contingent claim accrues after the settlement of an estate or at such time that a claim thereon does not have to be presented to the executor or administrator, or if a contingent claim is presented to the executor or administrator as provided by section 2117.37 of the Revised Code, but the assets of the estate are insufficient for payment of the claim in full, then the heirs, next of kin, surviving spouse as next of kin, devisees, and legatees shall be liable for the payment of such claim or the unpaid balance thereof in an action in the court of common pleas as provided in sections 2117.41 and 2117.42 of the Revised Code.

Section 2117.41 | Payment of contingent claims after settlement of estate.

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

A claimant whose cause of action accrues as provided in section 2117.37 of the Revised Code may bring suit to recover on the claim against the heirs, next of kin, surviving spouse as next of kin, devisees, and legatees under the decedent's will, each of whom shall be liable to the claimant in an amount not exceeding the value of the real and personal property that the person received under the will or on distribution of the estate. If, by the will of the deceased, any part of the estate or any one or more of the devisees and legatees is made exclusively liable for the debt, in exoneration of the residue of the estate or of the other devisees or legatees, the terms of the will shall be complied with in that respect and the persons and estate so exempt by the will shall be liable for only so much of the debt that cannot be recovered from those first chargeable with the debt.

No suit shall be maintained under this section unless commenced within six months next after the time when the cause of action first accrues, except in case the suit is for the balance due after a payment by the executor or administrator, in which case suit shall be brought within two months after the final payment by the executor or administrator. If the person entitled to bring the suit is under legal disability, the person may bring the action within one year after the person's disability is removed.

If any of those heirs, next of kin, surviving spouse as next of kin, devisees, or legatees dies without having paid the person's just proportion of the debt, the executors or administrators of that deceased person's estate shall be liable for that proportion to the extent the deceased person would have been if living.

Section 2117.42 | Creditors may proceed against all in one action.

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

If, in the cases specified in section 2117.41 of the Revised Code, more than one person is liable for the debt, the creditor shall proceed by one action to recover the debt against all so liable, or as many of them who are within the reach of process. By the verdict of a jury if either party requires it, the court shall determine what sum is due to the plaintiff. The jury also, according to the equities of the case, shall decide how much each of the defendants is liable to pay toward the satisfaction of the debt and the court shall render judgment accordingly.

No suit shall be dismissed or debarred for not making all the persons defendants who might have been included as defendants. In any stage of the cause the court may award process to bring in other parties and allow amendments necessary to charge them, as defendants, upon the terms that it considers reasonable.

If any of the persons who were originally liable for the debt is insolvent or unable to pay the person's proportion, or is beyond the reach of process, the others nevertheless shall be liable to the creditor for the whole amount of the debt; except that no one shall be compelled to pay more than the amount received by the person from the decedent's estate.

If, in consequence of insolvency, absence, or other cause, any of the persons liable for the debt fails to pay the person's just proportion to the creditor, the person shall be liable to indemnify all who, by reason of that person's failure, have paid more than their just proportion of the debt, such indemnity to be recovered by all of them jointly or in separate actions, by any one or more of them for their respective parts, at their election.