Rule 73.15.Accounts

Last amended July 1, 2026 · Last verified July 1, 2026

In one sentenceRule 73.15 sets the proof behind a fiduciary’s account — vouchers keyed to its entries, a closing statement for any land sold, recorded powers of attorney for receipts signed by agents — explains how assets are exhibited to the court, and holds up a final account until court costs are paid.

Full Text of Rule 73.15

Text sizeJump to: (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

(A) The vouchers or other proofs required by section 2109.302 and 2109.303 of the Revised Code and receipts filed or exhibited pursuant to section 2109.32(B)(1)(b) of the Revised Code, shall be referenced to the account by number, letter, or date.

(B) If land has been sold during the accounting period, the account shall show the gross amount of the proceeds and include a copy of the closing statement itemizing all of the disbursements.

(C) Receipts for distributive shares signed by persons holding power of attorney may be accepted, provided the power of attorney is recorded in the county in which the estate is being administered and a copy of the recorded power is attached to the account.

(D) Exhibiting assets.

(1) The court may require that all assets be exhibited at the time of filing a partial account.

(2) Cash balances may be verified by exhibiting a financial institution statement, passbook, or a current letter from the financial institution in which the funds are deposited certifying the amount of funds on deposit to the credit of the fiduciary. Assets held in a safe deposit box of a fiduciary or by a surety company on fiduciary’s bond may be exhibited by filing a current inventory of the assets. The inventory shall be certified by the manager of the safe deposit box department of the financial institution leasing the safe deposit box or by a qualified officer of the surety company if the assets are held by a surety. If the assets are held by a bank, trust company, brokerage firm, or other financial institution, exhibition may be made by proper certification as to the assets so held. For good cause shown, the court may designate a deputy clerk of the court to make an examination of the assets located in the county, not physically exhibited to the court or may appoint a commissioner for that purpose if the assets are located outside the county. The commissioner appointed shall make a written report of findings to the court.

(E) A final or distributive account shall not be approved until all court costs have been paid.

End

Amendment History

Effective Date: July 1, 2026

Plain-English Summary

Division (A) ties the proof to the account: the vouchers or other proofs required by R.C. 2109.302 and 2109.303, and receipts filed or exhibited under R.C. 2109.32(B)(1)(b), must be referenced to the account by number, letter, or date. Division (B) requires an account covering a period in which land was sold to show the gross proceeds and include a copy of the closing statement itemizing every disbursement. Division (C) accepts receipts for distributive shares signed under a power of attorney, provided the power is recorded in the county where the estate is administered and a copy of the recorded power is attached.

Division (D) covers exhibiting assets. The court may require all assets to be exhibited when a partial account is filed. Cash balances may be shown by a financial institution statement, a passbook, or a current letter from the institution certifying the funds on deposit. Assets in a safe deposit box or held by a surety may be exhibited by a current certified inventory, and assets held by a bank, trust company, brokerage firm, or other financial institution by proper certification. For good cause, the court may send a deputy clerk to examine assets in the county that were not physically exhibited, or appoint a commissioner, who reports in writing, for assets outside the county.

Division (E) ends the process: a final or distributive account will not be approved until all court costs have been paid.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a fiduciary prove the estate’s bank balances?

By exhibiting a financial institution statement, a passbook, or a current letter from the institution certifying the amount on deposit to the fiduciary’s credit, under Rule 73.15(D)(2).

Can an heir’s agent sign the receipt for a distributive share?

Yes, under a power of attorney, if the power is recorded in the county where the estate is being administered and a copy of the recorded power is attached to the account.

Can a final account be approved while court costs are unpaid?

No. Rule 73.15(E) bars approval of a final or distributive account until all court costs have been paid.

Source & verification. The rule text, Effective Date, Amended dates, and Staff Notes are reproduced verbatim from the official Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure (Ohio R. Civ. P. 73.15). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Ohio (Ohio Constitution, Art. IV, § 5(B)). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 1, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: fiduciary accountestate accountingexhibiting assets