Probate Court in Ohio has jurisdiction over the process of administering a person’s estate when they die. It has jurisdiction over will contest, mental health proceedings, guardianships, and it issues marriage licenses. In the larger counties, the Probate Court is a separate part of the Common Pleas Court system. It has its own Judge who handles only these matters. In the smaller counties, a Judge will handle probate, criminal, and civil matters and there is not a separate Judge for probate.
