About Entry Appointing Fiduciary; Letter of Authority
This form is a court entry that appoints a fiduciary to administer a decedent's estate and serves as the fiduciary's letters of authority, with a certificate of appointment included.
When you'd use it: The form states it is used when the court hears an application by a fiduciary for authority to administer a decedent's estate, whether the decedent died testate or intestate.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Entry Appointing Fiduciary; Letter of Authority 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 Entry Appointing Fiduciary; Letter of Authority (PDF) →
Source: supremecourt.ohio.gov
Link last checked: November 5, 2026
How to file Entry Appointing Fiduciary; Letter of Authority in Ohio
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Entry Appointing Fiduciary; Letter of Authority (Form 4.5) when the form states it is used when the court hears an application by a fiduciary for authority to administer a decedent's estate, whether the decedent died testate or intestate. 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 Entry Appointing Fiduciary; Letter of Authority 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 Entry Appointing Fiduciary; Letter of Authority 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).