Estates: When someone dies owning property, it is necessary for the Court to appoint someone to handle the payment of their debts and the distribution of their assets, either according to their will or in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.  The Probate Judge supervises the work of the executor or administrator, by making sure all debts are paid and the heirs receive what they are entitled to.

Guardianships: A guardian is someone appointed by the probate court to be legally responsible for someone and/or their property.  Reasons for needing a guardianship could be because a person is incompetent or a minor (under the age of 18).
     A guardian of a person is appointed to protect and have physical custody of a ward and to provide for the ward's daily needs such as food, shelter, and medical care.
    A guardian of an estate is appointed to manage the property and financial assets of the ward for the ward's best interest such as paying bills and making investments.  The probate court requires an account be filed every other year in order to keep track of the ward's funds.

Trusts: Generally created through an estate by the decedent's will where either all or a portion of the assets are placed in a trust which then directs how the money is spent.  Accountings of these funds are also required by the Probate Court every other year.

Birth Registrations and Corrections: For people who have never had their birth recorded or if their birth was inaccurately recorded, the probate court has the power, upon application, to require recordings and corrections of birth certificates.

Marriage License: Only the Probate Court can issue marriage licenses.  In order to be married in the State of Ohio, you must have a license.  Both parties must be 18 years old to be married without parental consent.  Marriage licenses are obtained in the county where one of the parties resides and then they can be married anywhere in the State of Ohio. Each Court has their own requirements for obtaining marriage licenses so it is necessary to call the Probate Court in the county where you intend on getting the license to find out what is required.

Adoptions: All adoptions must be approved by the Probate Court before they become final.  Investigations are required and fingerprints must be submitted for criminal records check of petitioners.

Name Change: Parental consent is required for individuals under 18 years old.  A valid reason is required whenever changing a name. You cannot get rid of criminal records or debts by changing your name.

Adult Protective Services: Department of Job and Family Services become involved when they are informed that an adult over age 60 is not taking proper care of himself or herself.  It is the court's responsibility to determine what is in that person's best interest. Sometimes they need to be admitted to the hospital or put in a nursing home because they are not or are not able to take care of their own needs.

Mental Commitments: The Court prepares the necessary paperwork to have someone taken to the local hospital to have them evaluated.  The mental health agency involved does an assessment to determine whether or not the individual needs mental health treatment.  

Estates, Guardianships & Trusts - The Probate Office has all open and pending files. All closed record prior to 2001 are stored at the Williams County Records Center:

Birth Registrations and Corrections  

Name Changes

Marriage Licenses

Adult Protective Services

Mental Commitments

Adoptions

Picture Identification is required.
(Driver's license, passport, photo ID)

NO Blood Tests are required in the State of Ohio.

Ohio Residents must reside in Williams County and have proof of residency.
(Proof can be valid license, rent receipt or other proof as requested by Court)

Both parties must be over the age of 18 to apply without parental consent.  Applicants under 18 must meet other requirements, according to the State of Ohio, prior to applying for a license and should contact the court for requirements.

Previously married people need final decree of divorce, judgment entry, or order granting their divorce from EVERY prior marriage.  This paperwork must contain the following items: Case Number, date divorce granted (not necessarily same day you were in court), and name of parties divorced.   If the divorce occurred in Williams County, you can obtain the information from the Clerk of Court's office on the 3rd Floor of the Courthouse prior to coming for you license. If a previous marriage ended in the death of a spouse, you should bring a death certificate.

License is good for 60 days and can be used anywhere is the State of Ohio by Williams County Residents. People marrying in other states must obtain license in the state where they are getting married.

Out of State residents no longer have a waiting period but must be married in the county where they obtain the marriage license.

The cost of a marriage license is $40.  We do not take personal checks. So it is best to pay in cash or bring a money order payable to Williams County Probate Court .  We do take MasterCard and Visa, but there is a $2.50 convenience fee that is charged.

Parentage Actions: To establish parent/child relationships, establish child support, and establish visitation rights.

Custody: The Juvenile Court is responsible for determining custody in paternity cases or in domestic relations cases assigned by the General Division of Common Pleas Court after a divorce has been finalized.  We currently have a Magistrate who hears most of the paternity and custody cases in Williams County.

Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency of Children: Complaints are filed by the Department of Job and Family Services when they feel children are not being properly cared for.  The Judge determines what is in the child's best interest.  The Judge can order that children be placed in foster homes, placed with a more appropriated relative, or order protective supervision of the child.

Adult Contributing: When an adult is charged with helping a juvenile commit an unruly or delinquent act.

Juvenile Unruly: A person under the age of 18 who is ungovernable, truant from school, or violates curfew. 

Juvenile Delinquent: A person under the age of 18 who commits a crime. The Juvenile Court is responsible for determining the disposition of the juvenile's case.

Juvenile Traffic: A driver under the age of 18 who commits a traffic violation.

Delinquency-

      Felony

$83.00

      Misdemeanor

$62.00

Unruly

$62.00

Traffics-

      Moving Violation

$62.00

      Non-Moving Violation

$38.00

      Seat Belt/Driver

$43.00

      Seat Belt/Passenger

$33.00

Neglected, Dependent, Abused

None

Parentage, Support, Custody

varies case to case