State guide
Ohio
Ohio adult guardianship is handled in county probate courts, and the Supreme Court of Ohio publishes statewide probate forms while local probate courts add county procedures and costs. Ohio does not appear to have a statewide supported decision-making statute on the pages reviewed, but probate courts must consider less restrictive alternatives and Ohio law provides voluntary conservatorship for a physically infirm adult.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Court that handles adult guardianship
- Adult guardianship and conservatorship petitions are handled in the probate court of the county, and a physically infirm adult may petition that probate court for voluntary conservatorship.
- What it's called
- guardian of the person, guardian of the estate, guardian of both person and estate, and conservator for a voluntary conservatorship
- Official forms and self-help
- Official page →
- Filing fee
- Varies by probate court; R.C. 2101.16(A)(34) lists $35.00 for appointment of a guardian or conservator, and Franklin County’s adult guardianship information sheet lists a $199.00 application fee including investigator fee.
- Less-restrictive alternatives
- Ohio pages reviewed did not show a statewide supported decision-making statute, but R.C. 2111.02 requires probate courts to consider less restrictive alternatives, and official Ohio materials identify limited guardianship, powers of attorney, and voluntary conservatorship as alternatives.
- Law
- Ohio Rev. Code ch. 2111, especially §§ 2111.02, 2111.021, and 2111.03; fee statute R.C. 2101.16(A)(34).
Official resources in Ohio
Statewide official adult guardianship forms published by the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Main guardianship and conservatorship statute chapter for Ohio probate courts.
Largest-county probate court guardianship department page with contacts, forms link, and local practice notes.
Official county page with adult guardianship checklists, guides, and forms links.
Official county forms and instruction packets for adult and minor guardianship matters.
Key facts for Ohio
- Ohio probate courts appoint guardians of the person, the estate, or both.
- Evidence of a less restrictive alternative may be introduced, and the probate court may deny guardianship if one exists.
- A physically infirm adult may petition the probate court for a voluntary conservatorship.
- The Supreme Court of Ohio publishes statewide adult guardianship forms, and local probate courts may require additional filings.
- Franklin County’s adult guardianship information sheet lists a $199.00 application fee that includes the investigator fee.
- R.C. 2101.16(A)(34) lists a $35.00 fee for appointment of a guardian or conservator, while local probate courts may assess additional costs.
County court guardianship pages in Ohio
| Court | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County Probate Court - Guardianship Franklin | Columbus | Not published* | Official guardianship department page for the state’s largest county probate court. |
| Franklin County Probate Court - Guardianship Investigators Franklin | Columbus | Not published* | Investigators are separately listed on the court contact page for guardianship matters. |
| Cuyahoga County Probate Court - Guardianship Department Cuyahoga | Cleveland | (216) 443-8995 | Official guardianship department phone listed on the probate court contact page. |
| Cuyahoga County Probate Court - Resource Center Cuyahoga | Cleveland | (216) 443-8769 | Resource Center assists with questions about a simple guardianship and probate forms review. |
| Hamilton County Probate Court - Mental Health / Guardianship Hamilton | Cincinnati | 513-946-3591 | Official Mental Health / Guardianship contact listed by the Hamilton County Probate Court. |
| Hamilton County Probate Court - Guardianship Investigator Hamilton | Cincinnati | 513-946-3587 | Official guardianship investigator contact listed on the court’s contact page. |
| Hamilton County Probate Court - Guardianship Forms and Instructions Hamilton | Cincinnati | Not published* | Provides official instruction packets and forms for adult and minor guardianship cases. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Check both the statewide Supreme Court forms and the local probate court page for your county before filing.
- Ask the probate court about less restrictive alternatives, especially limited guardianship, powers of attorney, and voluntary conservatorship.
- Review the local court’s costs page or application packet because published county charges can exceed the base statutory fee.
Not seeing your court or county?
Not every court publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Ohio's population center, for comparison only):
- Wayne County Probate Court - Adult Guardianships, Michigan · about 135 miles
- Wayne County Probate Court - Contact Information, Michigan · about 135 miles
- Allegheny County Orphans’ Court, Pennsylvania · about 148 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Supreme Court of Ohio - Adult Guardianship Forms
Website →Phone: (614) 387-9000 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Ohio page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.