A plain-English guide to the Butler County Probate Court
How estates are opened and settled at the Butler County Probate Court in the city of Hamilton, for families in Fairfield, West Chester and across Butler County.
We are a private law firm, not the court. Wolterman Law Office is not affiliated with the Butler County Probate Court. For official forms, hours and filings, visit probatecourt.bcohio.gov.
Where
Butler County Courthouse
101 High Street, Hamilton
Hours
Mon to Fri, 8:30 to 4:30
Excluding holidays, per the court
Online
Records and wills on deposit
Search on probatecourt.bcohio.gov
Watch, 44 seconds
The five steps, in under a minute
How an Ohio estate moves from opening to closing, and the two deadlines every executor should know. Captions are on, so it works with the sound off.
Read the transcript
Named executor? Here's how probate works in Ohio. First, the estate is opened in the probate court of the county where your loved one lived. Next, notify the heirs and gather what was in their name alone. Within three months of your appointment, file an inventory of what the estate owns. Creditors have six months from the date of death to present claims. Then pay valid debts, distribute what's left, and close the estate. Most estates take at least six months. Our probate attorneys can handle the filings. Schedule a free consultation at woltermanlaw.com.
Three mix-ups we see in Butler County
Butler County has a few names that trip people up. Here is how to keep them straight.
| The Butler County one | Often mixed up with | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton, the city | Hamilton County | The Butler County court is in the city of Hamilton. Hamilton County is a different county, with its own court in Cincinnati. |
| Fairfield, Butler County | Fairfield County | Fairfield near Cincinnati is in Butler County. Fairfield County is near Columbus. |
| West Chester Township | Union Township | West Chester was called Union Township until 2000. Older deeds may still say Union Township. Same place, same court. |
The five steps, start to finish
Open the estate
File the will and an application with the court. The court appoints the executor, or an administrator if there is no will.
Notify and collect
Notify heirs and beneficiaries, gather the assets in the person's name alone, and keep them safe.
File the inventory
List what the estate owns and its value, due within three months of appointment (ORC 2115.02).
Wait out the creditor window
Creditors have six months from the date of death to present claims (ORC 2117.06).
Pay, distribute and close
Pay valid debts and expenses, distribute what is left, and file the final account to close the estate.
For typical time frames, see how long probate takes in Ohio.
Sources: Ohio Revised Code 2115.02 and 2117.06.
Visiting the court
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays, per the court's website.
The court's site offers a court records search, a search of wills on deposit, probate forms, court costs and its local rules.
The court
Butler County Probate Court
- Butler County Courthouse
101 High Street
Hamilton, OH 45011 - (513) 887-3294
- Official site: probatecourt.bcohio.gov
Not every estate needs full probate
Estates of $35,000 or less, or $100,000 or less when a surviving spouse inherits everything, may qualify for a shorter release from administration. Some very small estates qualify for a summary release.
Assets with a named beneficiary, joint accounts with survivorship and property in a funded trust usually pass without probate at all.
Sources: Ohio Revised Code 2113.03 and 2113.031.
Who handles your estate
Every consultation is with one of our attorneys. Cassidy Carstens focuses on probate administration, and Steve Wolterman founded the firm in 2008.
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“They were not only highly knowledgeable and effective, but discreet, caring and trustworthy with our sensitive situations.”
Butler County probate questions
Is the Butler County Probate Court part of Hamilton County?
No. It is the Butler County court, located in the city of Hamilton at 101 High Street. Hamilton County's probate court is in downtown Cincinnati.
Can I check whether a will was deposited with the court?
Yes. Ohio lets people deposit a will with the probate court for safekeeping, and the Butler County court's website includes a search of wills on deposit.
What are the Butler County Probate Court's hours?
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays, according to the court's website. Check the site before you go, since closures are posted there.
Which towns file in Butler County?
Anyone who lived in Butler County, including the City of Fairfield, Fairfield Township, West Chester Township and the city of Hamilton.
Handling an estate? Talk with a probate attorney for free
Tell us what is going on and we will explain the next step, the timeline and your options.