‘Cuyahoga County Probate court' is the probate court of Cuyahoga County of the city of Cleveland. Ohio. The County is celebrating its 200^th anniversary. It is located at 1 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland Ohio 44113, Telephone 216-443-8765. The main function of the probate court is to administer the estate of a deceased person who is a legal resident of the county to the heirs with or without a will. In addition to this probate also services related to adoption, marriage etc. The probate judges are elected by vote. The function and information related to Cuyahoga County Probate court are described below:

            Judges

            . Judge Anthony J Russo, Presiding judge

                        Staffs

                        . Scheduler Katie O'Boyle              216-443-7557

                        . Bailiff       Mary Colvard              216-443-7554

                        . Staff attorney Jennifer Alexander 216-443-8262

                                    Fax  216-443-5446

            . Judge Laura J Gallaher

                        Staffs

                        . Scheduler Sue Schwarten              216-443-8975

                        . Bailiff       Marc Garofoli              216-443-8924

                        . Staff attorney Jennifer Alexander 216-443-8262

                                    Fax  216-443-6941

            Functions:

                        Administration of estate of a legal resident of the County of a decedent

                        . Probate – Probate Court has jurisdiction of making decisions of distributing property upon the death of a legal resident if there is no living trust. The process of probate court is as follows:

                        . To establish the last legal will if any

                        . To establish the legal heirs and beneficiaries

                        . To establish the debts

                        . The property is distributed to legal heirs or beneficiaries after the debt payment of the decedent.

                        . Living Trust - It is a trust established by a legal resident (grantor) before death. The trust consists of bank account, stock, home or any other things of monetary value. The grantor or the spouse or both is generally trustee of the trust. The probate court has no jurisdiction of the living trust. The trust can be modified and funded by a grantor. Individual living trust asset not contractually payable after death is subject to probate.

                        Guardianship and Alternatives

                        . The County probate court as a Superior Guardian of an estate or person does

                                    . Grant guardianship after application and legal procedure

                                    .  Supervises Guardianship

                                    .  Get annual report from guardian

                                    .  Investigates, gives citation/removal notice if needed.

                        . The County probate court issues marriage license to its legal residents upon legal application, verification of application and fee payment.

The Cyahoga County Probate court fees are listed below:

                        . Adoptions ………………   … …$175.00

                        . Conservatorship  ………   ……..$175.00

                        . Estates …………………   ……  $250.00

                        . Testamentory trust …………   .  $150.00

                        . Guardianship Adult                     $175.00

                        . Guardianship Minor                     $135.00

                        . Probate of Will                             $60.00

                        . Publication Adoption                   $40.00

                        . Release of Asset without will      $100.00

                        . Release of Asset probate of will  $130.00