Overview
Summit County, home to Akron and approximately 540,000 residents, is served by the Summit County Probate Court, a division of the Court of Common Pleas. Located in downtown Akron, the court handles estate administration, guardianships, trusts, adoptions, name changes, marriage licenses, and mental health matters.
The Summit County Probate Court offers e-filing by email for certain documents, providing a convenient alternative to in-person filing for filings after a case has been initiated. The Akron Legal News serves as the official court journal for Summit County.
Key Facts for Summit County Probate
- No Ohio estate tax — repealed effective January 1, 2013
- Release from Administration for qualifying estates valued at $35,000 or less (or $100,000 for surviving spouse)
- 6-month creditor claims period after fiduciary appointment
- Inventory due within 3 months of appointment
- E-filing by email available for subsequent filings (initial filings must be made in person or by mail)
- Akron Legal News is the official court journal for legal publications
Courthouse Information
Summit County Probate Court
The Summit County Probate Court is located in downtown Akron.
Address:
209 South High Street
Akron, OH 44308
Phone: (330) 643-2350
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and court holidays
Parking:
Public parking is available in garages and surface lots in downtown Akron near the courthouse.
Accessibility:
The courthouse is ADA-accessible with elevator access.
E-Filing by Email:
eFiling@summitohioprobate.com
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for subsequent filings
Filing Process
How to File for Probate in Summit County
Step 1: Determine the Type of Administration
- Release from Administration — for estates valued at $35,000 or less (or $100,000 if the surviving spouse inherits everything)
- Full Administration (Testate) — when a valid will exists and the estate exceeds simplified thresholds
- Full Administration (Intestate) — when no will exists
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Original will (if one exists)
- Form 1.0 — surviving spouse, children, next of kin, legatees, and devisees
- Asset information and approximate values
- Fiduciary's personal information for bond purposes
Step 3: File the Initial Application
Initial filings to commence a proceeding must be made in person or by mail at the Probate Court, 209 South High Street, Akron, OH 44308. Payment of court costs is required.
Step 4: Appointment and Letters of Authority
Once approved, the court issues Letters Testamentary (testate) or Letters of Administration (intestate).
Step 5: Subsequent Filings by Email
After the case is opened, subsequent documents may be e-filed via email to eFiling@summitohioprobate.com. Documents should be in PDF format (except proposed orders, which should be in Word format). Each email may only include one case, and the subject line must include the case number and case caption.
Step 6: Complete Administration
- Publish notice to creditors in the Akron Legal News
- File inventory within 3 months of appointment
- Pay debts and taxes during the administration period
- File a final account and distribute assets after the 6-month creditor period
Local Requirements
Summit County Local Rules and Requirements
- Initial filings must be in person or by mail — pleadings necessary to commence a proceeding cannot be filed by email. Only subsequent filings may be emailed.
- Email filing format — documents must be in PDF format; proposed orders may be in Word format. Each email is limited to one case and must include the case number and caption in the subject line.
- Bond requirements — standard Ohio bond requirements apply unless waived in the will
- Publication — legal notices are published in the Akron Legal News, the official court journal of Summit County
- Appraisals — the court may appoint appraisers for certain assets, particularly real property
- Attorney fee guidelines — the court follows the statutory fee schedule under ORC 2113.35
- Inventory hearing notices — the court publishes notice of hearings on inventories in the Akron Legal News
Timeline & Fees
Timeline for Probate in Summit County
Simple estates (Release from Administration):
- Processing: 2 to 4 weeks
- Total timeline: 1 to 2 months
Standard full administration:
- Appointment of fiduciary: 1 to 3 weeks
- Inventory due: within 3 months
- Creditor claims period: 6 months
- Final account and distribution: 1 to 3 months after creditor period
- Total timeline: 9 to 14 months
Contested or complex estates:
- 18 months to 3+ years
Court Costs and Fees
Summit County Probate Court fees are established by statute:
- Full Estate Administration: approximately $125 to $250 initial deposit
- Release from Administration: approximately $75 to $125
- Additional fees for inventories, accounts, certificates of transfer, and certified copies
- Publication fees assessed separately for notices published in the Akron Legal News
Payment: Check or money order payable to Summit County Probate Court. Contact the court for accepted payment methods.
Note: Contact the court at (330) 643-2350 for the current fee schedule.
Local Resources
Summit County Probate Resources
- Summit County Probate Court Website: summitohioprobate.com — forms, local rules, and court information
- E-Filing Information: summitohioprobate.com/efiling — email filing procedures and requirements
- Akron Legal News: akronlegalnews.com — official court journal for Summit County legal publications
- Ohio Supreme Court Probate Forms: supremecourt.ohio.gov — standard Ohio probate forms
- Summit County Probate Court Help Desk: Available to assist with form review and procedural questions
- Ohio Legal Help: ohiolegalhelp.org — free legal information for self-represented individuals
- Akron Bar Association: Lawyer referral services for probate attorneys in Summit County