Updated March 16, 2023
An Ohio last will and testament is a legal document used to ensure an individual’s property and assets are properly distributed among their chosen beneficiaries upon death. A testator (person to whom the will belongs) can leave behind detailed instructions on how their personal and real property, fiduciary assets, cash-on-hand, life insurance policies, and even digital property is to be dispersed among loved ones in the event of the testator’s death. Typically, beneficiaries of the will are spouses, children, friends, blood relatives, charitable organizations, and any other individual or entity that the testator wishes inherit a portion of their estate.
Under Ohio law, wills must be signed by the testator in the presence of two (2) or more competent witnesses; both these witnesses must sign the document. Though optional, the testator may have the document notarized for extra legal protection. This document may be revoked or amended at the discretion of the testator.
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Laws
Signing Requirements
Signed by the Testator and by two (2) or more competent Witnesses in the presence of each other. (ORC 2107.03)
State Definition
“Will” includes codicils to wills admitted to probate, lost, spoliated, or destroyed wills, and instruments declared valid under division (A)(1) of section 5817.10 of the Revised Code, but “will” does not include inter vivos trusts or other instruments that have not been admitted to probate.
Related Forms
Download: Adobe PDF
Durable (Financial) Power of Attorney
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word, OpenDocument