About Application for Family Allowance
Allows a fiduciary to petition the probate court to distribute a statutory family allowance (either $25,000 or $40,000 depending on date of death) to a surviving spouse or single minor child of the decedent.
When you'd use it: File when there is a surviving spouse with no non-stepchild minor children, or a single minor child with no surviving spouse, and the fiduciary seeks to allocate estate property toward the statutory family allowance.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Application for Family Allowance is published as a PDF by the Ohio courts. We checked this link and it resolved to a form on an official court or government website — always download the current version directly from the source rather than a third-party copy:
Download Application for Family Allowance (PDF) →
Source: supremecourt.ohio.gov
Link last checked: May 30, 2026
How to file Application for Family Allowance in Ohio
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Application for Family Allowance (7.1) when file when there is a surviving spouse with no non-stepchild minor children, or a single minor child with no surviving spouse, and the fiduciary seeks to allocate estate property toward the statutory family allowance. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — Ohio probate forms are revised periodically, so verify the name and number against your court's current form list before you start.
- Step 2 — Complete every required fieldFill out Application for Family Allowance carefully and review it for errors before filing. Probate cases can already take months — a small mistake on the form can set your timeline back further.
- Step 3 — Get it notarized or witnessed if requiredSome probate forms must be signed in front of a notary or witnesses. Check the instructions on the form itself, and arrange notarization before you file if it's required.
- Step 4 — File it with the correct courtSubmit Application for Family Allowance to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the Ohio county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).