(A) Applicability. This rule prescribes the format, content, and use of standard forms for designated applications, pleadings, waivers, notices, entries, and other filings in certain proceedings in the probate division of the courts of common pleas.
Where a standard form has not been prescribed by this rule, the form used shall be that required by the Civil Rules, or prescribed or permitted by the probate division of the court of common pleas in which it is being filed.
(B) Effective date; use of standard and nonstandard forms.
(1) This rule takes effect July 1, 1977 and applies to proceedings had on and after that date, including proceedings in pending cases.
(2) The standard forms shall be used on and after January 1, 1978, and nonstandard forms shall be rejected for filing.
(C) Modification of standard forms; pleadings and filings prepared for particular cases.
(1) A printed, blank standard form may be modified by deletion or interlineation to meet the circumstances of a particular case or proceeding, if the modification can be accomplished neatly and conveniently. No court shall require the modification of a standard form as a routine matter. If any allegation, statement, data information, pleading, or filing is required by an appropriate local rule of court and a standard form does not make provision therefor, it shall be provided in a separate or supplemental filing.
(2) Even though a standard form is prescribed, an original instrument may be prepared for filing. Any such instrument shall be typed on eight and one-half by eleven inch paper. The caption prescribed in Sup. R. 52 shall be used, and the instrument shall follow the format prescribed for the standard forms. Any such instrument may modify the language of the standard form, omit inapplicable matter required by the standard form, and add matter not included in the standard form to the extent required by the circumstances of the particular case or proceeding.
(D) Standard probate forms. The standard forms prescribed for use in the probate division of the courts of common pleas are as follows:
NOTE: Printed versions of Ohio’s Standard Probate Forms are reproduced in Volume Two of Anderson’s Ohio Probate Practice and Procedure and /or Volume Three of Baldwin’s Merrick-Rippner Probate Law. All Standard Probate Forms and selected Butler County Probate Court Local Forms in PDF format can be accessed from the “FORMS” button on the homepage of the Butler County Probate Court website’s, www.butlercountyohio.org/probate.