Ohio House Passes Bill to Modernize Ohio Trust, Probate, Fiduciary Law

(COLUMBUS, OHIO)—State Representatives Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) are pleased to announce that the Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 446, legislation to modernize Ohio’s trust, probate, and fiduciary statutes.

The bill will align Ohio law with national best practices in estate and trust management to protect consumers and clarify the responsibilities of attorneys and fiduciaries. Key provisions of House Bill 446 include:

• Establishes the Ohio Trust Protector and Directed Trust Act and formally recognizes trust protectors as fiduciaries under Ohio law;
• Strengthens estate and beneficiary protections by clarifying the timeline for filing claims against an estate; and
• Clarifies agent and trustee duties and responsibilities.
   

“Ohioans deserve the very best legal environment as they prepare to leave a legacy with their trusts and wills,” said Mathews. “I am grateful to Speaker Huffman and my joint sponsor Rep. Stewart for their work together on this legislation.”

"House Bill 446 strengthens the legal framework for trust and probate oversight and bolsters protections for Ohio families who deserve to have their wills efficiently and effectively administered as they wish," said Stewart. "I am proud to have worked alongside my joint sponsor Representative Adam Mathews, Speaker Matt Huffman, and the Ohio State Bar Association and their members to have crafted this commonsense piece of legislation to protect Ohio families and their estates."

House Bill 446 now awaits further consideration from the Ohio Senate.