Ohio Revised Code Search

...The court may reform the terms of a trust, even if they are unambiguous, to conform the terms to the settlor's intention if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence that both the settlor's intent and the terms of the trust were affected by a mistake of fact or law, whether in expression or inducement.

...To achieve the settlor's tax objectives, the court may modify the terms of a trust in a manner that is not contrary to the settlor's probable intention. The court may provide that the modification has retroactive effect.

...After notice to the qualified beneficiaries, a trustee may combine two or more trusts into a single trust or divide a trust into two or more separate trusts if the result does not substantially impair the rights of any beneficiary or have a materially adverse effect on the achievement of the purposes of the trust.

...A trust described in 42 U.S.C. 1396p(d)(4) is irrevocable if the terms of the trust prohibit the settlor from revoking it, whether or not the settlor's estate or the settlor's heirs are named as the remainder beneficiary or beneficiaries of the trust upon the settlor's death.

...As used in this chapter: (A)(1) "Beneficiary under a trust" means either of the following: (a) Any person that has a present or future beneficial interest in a trust, whether vested or contingent; (b) Any person that, in a capacity other than that of trustee, holds a power of appointment over trust property, but does not include the class of permitted appointees among whom the power holder may appoint. (2) "B...

.... The right to file a complaint for a determination of the validity of a testator's will under this chapter, or to voluntarily dismiss a complaint once filed, is personal to the testator and may not be exercised by the testator's guardian or an agent under the testator's power of attorney. (B) A testator who desires to obtain a validity determination as to the testator's will shall file a complaint to determine the...

.... The right to file a complaint for a determination of the validity of a settlor's trust under this chapter, or to voluntarily dismiss a complaint once filed, is personal to the settlor and may not be exercised by the settlor's guardian or an agent under the settlor's power of attorney. (B) A settlor who desires to obtain a validity determination as to the settlor's trust shall file a complaint to determine the val...

...(A) A complaint to determine the validity of a will or a trust shall be filed with the probate court. The probate judge, upon the motion of a party or the judge's own motion, may transfer the proceeding to the general division of the court of common pleas. (B) The venue for a complaint under section 5817.02 of the Revised Code is either of the following: (1) The probate court of the county in this state where the...

... may have a pecuniary interest in the determination of the validity of the testator's will. (C) A complaint under section 5817.02 of the Revised Code may contain all or any of the following: (1) A statement that a copy of the will has been filed with the court; (2) A statement that the will is in writing; (3) A statement that the will was signed by the testator, or was signed in the testator's name by another...

... may have a pecuniary interest in the determination of the validity of the settlor's trust. (C) A complaint under section 5817.03 of the Revised Code may contain all or any of the following: (1) A statement that a copy of the trust has been filed with the court; (2) A statement that the trust is in writing and was signed by the settlor; (3) A statement that the trust was executed with the intent to create a t...

...(A) Service of process, with a copy of the complaint and the will, and a copy of the related trust, if applicable, shall be made on every party defendant named in the complaint filed under section 5817.02 of the Revised Code, as provided in the applicable Rules of Civil Procedure. (B) Service of process, with a copy of the complaint and the trust, and a copy of the related will, if applicable, shall be made on ever...

...(A) After a complaint is filed under section 5817.02 or 5817.03 of the Revised Code, the court shall fix a time and place for a hearing. (B) Notice of the hearing shall be given to the testator or settlor, as applicable, and to all party defendants, as provided in the applicable Rules of Civil Procedure. (C) The hearing shall be adversarial in nature and shall be conducted pursuant to sections 2101.31 and 2721.10...

...(A) The testator or settlor has the burden of establishing prima facie proof of the execution of the will or trust, as applicable. A person who opposes the complaint has the burden of establishing one or more of the following: (1) The lack of testamentary intent or the intent to create a trust, as the case may be; (2) The lack of the testator's testamentary capacity, or the settlor's legal capacity to enter into...

...failure to do so shall not affect the determination of validity of the will or trust.

...(A) Unless the will or trust is modified or revoked, and except as otherwise provided in this section, no person may contest the validity of a will or trust that is declared valid in a proceeding pursuant to this chapter. (B) The failure to name a necessary defendant under division (A) of section 5817.05 of the Revised Code is not jurisdictional. A declaration of a will's validity under this chapter shall be bindin...

...(A) After a declaration of a will's validity under division (A)(1) of section 5817.10 of the Revised Code, the will may be modified by a later will or codicil executed according to the laws of this state or another state, and the will may be revoked under section 2107.33 of the Revised Code or other applicable law. (B) The revocation by a later will, or other document under section 2107.33 of the Revised Code, of a...

...alidity of a will or trust. (B) The determination or judgment rendered in a proceeding under this chapter is not binding upon the parties to that proceeding in any action that is not brought to determine the validity of a will or trust. (C) The failure of a testator to file a complaint for a judgment declaring the validity of a will that the testator has executed is not admissible as evidence in any proceeding to...