Daily AncestorProbate court
A probate court handles wills, estates of the dead and often guardianships; its records hold wills, inventories and accounts.
A probate court has limited jurisdiction over the estates of people who have died: proving wills, appointing executors and administrators, and supervising the distribution of property. Many also handled guardianships.
The name varies by state: an orphans' court or a county court may do the same job. Find out which court handled estates in your county and period before you search.
As seen in a recordDocket heading
Probate Court, Ross County, Ohio, Estate No. 1422
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Probate court." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/legal-land/probate-court. Last checked 2026-10-01.