Updated September 7, 2026. Quick answer: Ohio sets itemized probate fees by statute, and each probate court may require an advance deposit of up to $125.00; Franklin County (Columbus) lists a $125.00 deposit for full administration, with $250.00 recommended in practice.
If a trust could save your estate this fee in Ohio
A living trust avoids probate entirely in Ohio, which means the estate skips the $125.00 above along with every other cost the court charges once a case is open. LawDepot builds a state-specific one.
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What Ohio charges to open probate
Ohio sets itemized probate fees by statute in R.C. 2101.16 (for example $35.00 to appoint a fiduciary and $15.00 to probate a will), and each probate court may by rule require an advance deposit of up to $125.00 when an estate is opened, so the deposit asked for depends on the county.
| Full administration deposit (Franklin County) | $125.00 |
| Court-recommended deposit (Franklin County) | $250.00 |
| Gap between listed deposit and recommended deposit | $125.00 |
Each Ohio probate court may set its own advance deposit by rule, up to the $125.00 statutory ceiling; Franklin County (Columbus) is shown as the largest-county example.
Where this money goes and who sets it
The authority for the deposit ceiling is R.C. 2101.16(E), which lets a probate court, by rule, require an advance deposit for costs, not to exceed $125.00, when an application is made for appointment as executor or administrator or when a will is presented for probate. The Franklin County figures come from that court’s published court costs page.
What this fee doesn’t cover
Because each Ohio probate court may set its own deposit, the same estate could cost more or less to open depending on which county courthouse handles it. Either way, this is the court’s deposit toward opening the file, and Franklin County notes it does not cover the cost of letters of authority, separate from what an attorney charges to actually handle the estate and separate from any state estate or inheritance tax the estate itself might owe.
Sources
Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 2101.16 and the Franklin County Probate Court court costs page.
Considering a trust instead? How much a living trust costs in Ohio compares attorney and DIY pricing against what probate itself would cost here.