After a loss
Probate and trust administration
- Guidance for executors, start to finish
- Estates with or without a will
- Settling a trust after a loved one passes
- Will and estate disputes
Cincinnati probate and estate planning attorneys
Help for Cincinnati executors and families settling an estate in the Hamilton County Probate Court, plus wills and trusts so your own family can avoid it.
- Free first consultation
- Flat-fee estate plans
- Offices in Loveland and Blue Ash
Where an estate is filed
Hamilton County Probate Court
William Howard Taft Center, 230 East Ninth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Court location
Taft Center, downtown
230 East Ninth Street
How we meet
In person, phone or Zoom
First consultation is free
Settling an estate in Cincinnati
The court is downtown
Cincinnati estates are opened at the Hamilton County Probate Court in the William Howard Taft Center, 230 East Ninth Street.
Executors who live out of state
Ohio lets a nonresident serve as executor in many cases, especially a close relative named in the will. We handle the local filings for you.
Wills and trusts too
Planning ahead? See our Cincinnati wills and trusts page for living trusts, wills and powers of attorney.
Probate in Cincinnati
Ohio sets the steps: open the estate, file the inventory within three months of appointment, allow six months from the date of death for creditor claims, then distribute and close.
Smaller estates, $35,000 or less, or $100,000 or less when a surviving spouse inherits everything, may qualify for a shorter release from administration.
Sources: Ohio Revised Code 2115.02, 2117.06 and 2113.03.
Visiting the court
Hamilton County Probate Court
- William Howard Taft Center, 230 East Ninth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
- (513) 946-3570 · probatect.org
We prepare and file the forms for you, and keep you updated on every court date.
How we help Cincinnati families
Whether you are planning ahead or handling things after a loss, you work directly with an attorney who explains every step in plain language.
Planning ahead
Estate planning
- Wills and living trusts
- Powers of attorney and health care directives
- Special needs and irrevocable trusts
- Flat-fee plans, explained before any work starts
You meet with an attorney, every time
Every consultation is with one of our estate planning and probate attorneys, backed by a team that keeps you updated between meetings.
“Most families don’t need the most complicated plan. They need the right one, explained in plain English.”
Steve R. Wolterman
Founding Attorney
Wills, trusts and probate for Ohio families since founding the firm in 2008.
- Admitted to the Ohio bar in 2007
- J.D., University of Cincinnati College of Law
- B.S. Finance, Clemson University
- Certified Exchange Specialist (CES)
“Probate is a lot to handle after a loss. My job is to make sure you always know what happens next.”
Cassidy Carstens
Attorney
Focuses on probate administration for estates of all sizes, and on estate planning.
- With the firm since 2015, from secretary to attorney
- J.D., University of Cincinnati College of Law
- Admitted to the Ohio bar in 2023
- B.S. Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati
And the team behind them
Emily Ames
Office Manager
Scheduling, documents and updates between meetings.
Alex Brammer
Client Services Coordinator
Document signings and help getting everything finalized.
Henrietta Heywood
Client Care Coordinator
Answers your calls, schedules meetings and checks in with clients.
“The process involves difficult questions, but they guided us through every step with such compassion and expertise.”
Cincinnati questions
Which probate court handles an estate from Cincinnati?
An estate is opened in the probate court of the county where the person lived. For Cincinnati, that is the Hamilton County Probate Court, at William Howard Taft Center, 230 East Ninth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Can I be an executor if I live outside Ohio?
Often, yes. Ohio allows a nonresident to serve in many cases, especially a close relative named in the will (Ohio Revised Code 2109.21). We handle the local filings so you do not have to be here for each step.
How long does probate take?
At least six months in most cases, because Ohio gives creditors six months from the date of death to present claims (Ohio Revised Code 2117.06). Many estates take longer.
Can you help if probate is already open?
Yes. We can step in to help an executor finish an estate, catch up on court deadlines or answer a question from the court.
What happens if there is no will?
Ohio law decides who inherits, usually a spouse and children first, and the court appoints an administrator. We can open the estate and guide whoever serves.
Communities we serve nearby
Families across Greater Cincinnati work with our Loveland and Blue Ash offices.
Talk with an attorney for free
Tell us what is going on and we will explain your options and the next step.