September 28, 2023
Great Estates Program
The Probate Court has partnered with the Cuyahoga County Executive and Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office to offer the “Great Estates” program. This program offers information and assistance to residents who wish to transfer property outside of the probate process. Three community events have been scheduled at local libraries this October for residents to attend and learn more about probate and non-probate options. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. Residents who pre-register will have a copy of their deed available at the event, and transfer on death designations can be recorded at the event. Please click on this link for more information on the program and to pre-register.
Great Estates Program
Top of Page
September 19, 2023
Probate Court has updated its policy regarding copy requests. Full case copies can be requested on Adversarial, Estate, Guardianship, Civil Actions and Trust cases by using the web docket to search your case number and then request copies using the Request Full Case Copy link on the case summary page. If you do not need a full case copy, you may come in-person or mail in a completed Copy Request Form for certified, exemplified, or photocopy copy requests.
Probate Court will no longer accept copy requests through the general Court e-mail or by telephone.
Top of Page
August 8, 2023
Delayed Opening - Probate Court Clerks Office
Due to mandatory training, the Probate Clerks Office will open at 9:30 a.m. on the following dates:
Canceled - Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Thank you for your understanding.
Top of Page
July 17, 2023
Delayed Opening - Probate Court Clerks Office
Due to mandatory training, the Probate Clerks Office will open at 9:30 a.m. on the following dates:
Canceled - Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Thank you for your understanding.
Top of Page
July 12, 2023
Delayed Opening - Probate Court Clerks Office
Due to mandatory training, the Probate Clerks Office will open at 9:30 a.m. on the following dates:
Updated - Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Thank you for your understanding.
Top of Page
June 23, 2023
Temporary Locations
The Probate Court has reduced/limited staff today (June 23, 2030) due to power issues in the Old Courthouse building. Departments have been temporarily consolidated and are now at the following locations:
Guardianship department (Room 211) moved to room 219
Psychiatric department (Room 105) moved to room 219
Accounts & Inventories and Certified Copies moved to room 119
Top of Page
June 13, 2023
Delayed Opening - Probate Court Clerks Office
Due to mandatory training, the Probate Clerks Office will open at 9:30 a.m. on the following dates:
Updated - Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Thank you for your understanding.
Top of Page
April 26, 2023
Delayed Opening - Probate Court Clerks Office
Due to mandatory training, the Probate Clerks Office will open at 9:30 a.m. on the following dates:
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Updated - Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Thank you for your understanding.
Top of Page
March 6, 2023
Delayed Opening - Probate Court Clerks Office
Due to mandatory training, the Probate Clerks Office will open at 9:30 a.m. on the following dates:
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Thank you for your understanding.
Top of Page
December 30, 2022
Please see the link 2021 Unclaimed Funds List for a complete list of the unclaimed funds from 2021. This list will be available until January 31, 2023.
Top of Page
November 4, 2022
Delayed Opening - Probate Court Clerks Office
Due to mandatory training, the Probate Clerks Office will open at 9:30 a.m. on the following dates:
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Thank you for your understanding.
Top of Page
March 1, 2022
Cuyahoga County Courts New Administrative Order
Administrative Order effective March 1, 2022
Top of Page
March 1, 2022
Probate Court is pleased to announce a new online copies request area. Full case copies can now be requested on Adverserial, Estate, Guardianship, Civil Actions and Trust cases. Please use the web docket to search your case number and then request copies using the Request Full Case Copy link on the case summary page.
Top of Page
January 3, 2021
Please see the link 2020 Unclaimed Funds List for a complete list of the unclaimed funds from 2020. This list will be available until February 2, 2022.
Top of Page
October 6, 2021
Probate Court is pleased to announce a new online copies request area. Copies can be requested on Marriage Licenses that have been returned and recorded. Please use the web docket to search your case number and then request copies using the Request Full Case Copy link on the case summary page.
Top of Page
September 10, 2021
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Order Regarding Vaccination Requirement For Assigned Counsel.
Administrative Order effective September 10, 2021
Top of Page
August 31, 2021
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Order Regarding Vaccination Requirement For All Staff.
Administrative Order effective August 31, 2021
Top of Page
August 6, 2021
Effective Thursday, August 5, 2021, the Cuyahoga County Probate Court will resume orders for mask wearing.
Administrative Order effective August 5, 2021
Top of Page
June 15, 2021
The Cuyahoga County Probate Court full reopen to the public on June 16, 2021.
Effective Wednesday, June 16, 2021, the Cuyahoga County Probate Court will resume full access to the public. The clerk's office will accept in-person filings, electronic filings and those submitted by U.S. mail. With the resumption of in-person filings, drop boxes in the Rotunda and the Huntington Park Garage entrance have been removed. Hearings may be conducted remotely or in-person based upon the determination of the Judge or Magistrate. If you received an email or mail notice of hearing, your hearing remains on Zoom, please do not appear in person. If you have questions, please contact the Court to verify the status of your hearing. All individuals entering the courthouse must wear a face covering and will be subject to temperature screening. Please refer to the Administrative Order effective June 16, 2021 for further information.
Administrative Order effective June 16, 2021
Top of Page
June 14, 2021
Please see the Accounts and Inventories topic page for a how-to guide for preparing and filing account paperwork with the probate court, including costs.
Top of Page
June 9, 2021
JUDGE LAURA J. GALLAGHER ELECTED PRESIDENT OF OAPJ
Congratulations to Judge Laura J. Gallagher on her election as President of the Ohio Association of Probate Judges. She has been a judge of the Cuyahoga County Probate Court since February 2009. From February 2003 through February 2009, she served as Assistant County Prosecutor for Cuyahoga County and supervisor of the Support Establishment/Enforcement Unit. Judge Gallagher served as Magistrate in the Medina County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile/Probate Division from March 1996 through February 2003. Previously, she served as an Assistant County Prosecutor for Medina County for six years and for Cuyahoga County for more than three years. Judge Gallagher is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, the Ohio Judges Association, the Southwest Area Bar Association, The American Judges Association, The Ohio Judicial Conference Probate Law and Procedure Committee, the Ohio Association of Probate Judges Forms Committee, The Supreme Court of Ohio Advisory Committee on Case Management, the Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure in Ohio Courts, The Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Technology and the Court, Adult Protective Services Interdisciplinary Team Steering Committee, The Lawyers Guild of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland Board Member and the Board of Directors for Incarnate Word Academy. She received a BA, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Miami University, Oxford, and a JD, cum laude, from Case Western Reserve School of Law.
Top of Page
June 7, 2021
New Observed Holiday
Cuyahoga County Council has passed legislation to create a holiday in observance of Juneteenth, a celebration of emancipation from slavery in the United States. Cuyahoga County Probate Court will be CLOSED FRIDAY JUNE 18, 2021 in observance of the June 19th holiday.
Top of Page
May 5, 2021
(UPDATE) APPOINTMENT TO CLEVELAND CITY COUNCIL, WARD 4
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 3.16(E)(4) the Cuyahoga County Probate Court will accept applications for appointment to Cleveland City Council, Ward 4, by mail or email through May 21, 2021. This is an extension from the original due date of May 7, 2021. Applicants must submit a statement of interest listing the reasons they are interested in the position; their goals if appointed; and why they believe they are the best candidate for the position. A resume and three references should also be included.
This information should be submitted to Presiding Judge Anthony J. Russo, Cuyahoga County Probate Court, Room 221, 1 Lakeside Avenue West, Cleveland OH 44113 or by email to Sue Schwarten, Administrative Assistant to Presiding Judge Anthony J. Russo. Communication regarding this appointment will be accepted only from applicants for the position, not from any other persons or organizations on the applicants’ behalf.
Please Note: Candidates may apply for this interim appointment whether or not they have filed a petition to be elected as the Ward 4 Councilperson and/or are planning to run for the seat in the upcoming election.
Top of Page
April 22, 2021
APPOINTMENT TO CLEVELAND CITY COUNCIL, WARD 4
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 3.16(E)(4) the Cuyahoga County Probate Court will accept applications for appointment to Cleveland City Council, Ward 4, by mail or email, beginning today, April 22, 2021 through May 7, 2021. Applicants must submit a statement of interest listing the reasons they are interested in the position; their goals if appointed; and why they believe they are the best candidate for the position. A resume and three references should also be included.
This information should be submitted to Presiding Judge Anthony J. Russo, Cuyahoga County Probate Court, Room 221, 1 Lakeside Avenue West, Cleveland OH 44113 or by email to Sue Schwarten, Administrative Assistant to Presiding Judge Anthony J. Russo. Communication regarding this appointment will be accepted only from applicants for the position, not from any other persons or organizations on the applicants’ behalf.
Top of Page
January 1, 2021
Please see the link 2019 Unclaimed Funds List for a complete list of the unclaimed funds from 2019. This list will be available until February 2, 2021.
Top of Page
Please see the Court News Archive for older Court News.