Rep. Brown's House Bill 279 passes Ohio House and Senate 

COLUMBUS– State Rep. Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester) announced the passage of House Bill (HB) 279, which will significantly cut down on the red-tape required to obtain probate court approval of a settlement determination when a wrongful death occurs. 

“I am proud to see this common-sense legislation make its way to the Governor’s desk,” said Rep. Brown. “This bill will help legal practitioners and families in our state navigate the process of contacting next of kin about the decedent’s estate.” 

This legislation will: 

Provide a statutory definition of next of kin; 
Provide clarity to a confusing process of ensuring proper relatives are notified about the existence of an estate; 
Creates a more defined and streamlined process of making a claim against an estate. 
House Bill 279 now moves to the Governor’s desk.