Am. S.B. 124 - Probate Law

Introduced: 3/22/11
 
Status: referred to the Judiciary-Civil Justice Committee; amended; passed the Senate; referred to the Judiciary & Ethics Committee; amedded; amended; passed the House; Senate Concurs in House Amendments; signed by the Governor 10/11/11; effective January 9, 2012
 
Summary - To modernize the probate code by replacing outdated language and adding substantive changes to codify best practices to better serve the public. Some of the substantive amendments are:
* A will declared valid under 2107.081 may only be modified by a codicil if the codicil is also declared valid under 2107.081.
* Reduces the time requirement that causes a beneficial interest not to pass to one who withholds a will from 3 years to 1 year after death.
* Changes the time allowed to admit an oral will to probate from 6 months to 3 months after death.
* Broadens the residency requirements of a guardian.
* Requires fiduciaries to file a written statement of resignation with the court after 15 days notice to interested persons. The court may set a hearing on the resignation.
* Allows a fiduciary to invest in credit unions.
* Allows the personal use of estate assets by the fiduciary if consented to by all interested parties and approved by the probate court.
* Allows the fiduciary of an estate to petition the court to purchase assets from the estate.
* In a release from administration, the court may appoint a commissioner to execute documents pursuant to 2127.011, consent to a power of sale.
* Amended to give probate judges discretion to appoint a non-Ohio resident as a guardian of the person.
* Amended to include credit unions along with banks as eligible estate depositories.
* Amended to eliminate personal liability for probate judges for default, malfeasance or nonfeasance of an appointee (incorporating HB 28).
* Amended to modify probate court involvement in Medicaid estate recovery program. Eliminates the requirement for probate court to send form and eliminates requirement of content of form.
* Amended to bar fiduciaries from making short-term investments in foreign instruments.
 

Click here for a copy of Am. S.B. 124 - Bill Summary

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