As Passed by the Senate
134th General Assembly
Regular Session Sub. S. B. No. 199
2021-2022
Senator Blessing
Cosponsors: Senators Manning, Cirino, Reineke, Rulli, Thomas, Yuko
A BILL
To amend sections 517.23, 517.24, 517.25, 2107.52, 2108.82, 2111.18, 2117.06, 2117.07, and 2131.09 and to enact sections 2131.14, 5801.20, 5801.21, 5801.22, 5801.23, and 5801.24 of the Revised Code to make changes to the law related to the disinterment of bodies buried in cemeteries, presentment of claims against an estate, non-probate transfers of tangible personal property, Guardianship Law, and the Ohio Trust Law.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That sections 517.23, 517.24, 517.25, 2107.52, 2108.82, 2111.18, 2117.06, 2117.07, and 2131.09 be amended and sections 2131.14, 5801.20, 5801.21, 5801.22, 5801.23, and 5801.24 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
Sec. 517.23. (A) Subject to divisions (B), (D), and (E) of this section, the board of township trustees, the trustees or directors of a cemetery association, or the other officers having control and management of a cemetery or the officer of a municipal corporation who has control and management of a municipal cemetery shall disinter or grant permission to disinter any remains buried in the cemetery in either of the following circumstances:
(1)
If
the surviving spouse of the decedent is eighteen years of age or
older, within Within
thirty
days after the
filing of an
application of
the surviving spouse made for
disinterment is filed with the cemetery in
accordance with division (A) of section 517.24 of the Revised Code
and payment by
the applicant of
the reasonable costs and expense of disinterment;
is
made by the following applicants:
(a) A designated representative, or successor, to whom the decedent had assigned the right of disposition in a written declaration pursuant to section 2108.70 of the Revised Code and who had exercised such right at the time of the declarant's death;
(b) If no designated representative exercised the right of disposition pursuant to section 2108.70 of the Revised Code, the surviving spouse of the decedent who is eighteen years of age or older.
(2) On order of a probate court issued under division (B) of section 517.24 of the Revised Code and payment by the person who applied for the order under that division of the reasonable costs and expense of disinterment.
(B) No disinterment shall be made pursuant to this section and section 517.24 of the Revised Code if the decedent died of a contagious or infectious disease until a permit has been issued by the board of health of a general health district or of a city health district.
(C)
Upon disinterment of remains under division (A)(1) or (2) of this
section, the involved board, trustees, directors, other
officers, or officer of the municipal corporation shall deliver or
cause to be delivered the disinterred remains to the applicant
surviving
spouse under
division (A)(1) of this section or,
if the disinterment was pursuant to court order issued under division
(B) of section 517.24 of the Revised Code, to the person who applied
for the order under that division.
(D)
The board of township trustees, the trustees or directors of a
cemetery association, or the other officers having control and
management of a cemetery or the officer of a municipal corporation
who has control and management of a municipal cemetery may disinter
or grant permission to disinter and, if appropriate, may reinter or
grant permission to reinter any remains buried in the cemetery to
correct an interment error in the cemetery if the board, trustees,
directors, other officers, or officer of the municipal corporation
comply with the internal rules of the cemetery pertaining to
disinterments and if the board, trustees, directors, other officers,
or officer of the municipal corporation provide notice of the
disinterment to the decedent's
last known next of kinperson
who has been assigned or reassigned the rights of disposition for the
deceased person under the provisions of section 2108.70 or 2108.81 of
the Revised Code.
The board, trustees, directors, other officers, or officer of the
municipal corporation may correct an interment error under this
division without a court order or an application by a person.
(E)(1)
A person who is an interested party and who is eighteen years of age
or older and of sound mind may apply to the probate court of the
county in which the decedent is buried for an order to prevent the
decedent's
surviving spouse applicant
under division (A)(1) of this section from
having the remains of the decedent disinterred. An application to
prevent the
disinterment of the remains of the decedent shall be in writing,
subscribed and verified by oath, and include all of the following:
(a) If applicable, a statement that the applicant assumed financial responsibility for the funeral and burial expenses of the decedent;
(b) If division (E)(1)(a) of this section is inapplicable relative to the applicant, a statement that the applicant did not assume financial responsibility for the funeral and burial expenses of the decedent;
(c) A statement that the applicant is eighteen years of age or older and of sound mind;
(d) The relationship of the applicant to the decedent;
(e) A statement of the applicant's reasons to oppose the disinterment of the remains of the decedent.
(2)
An applicant for an order to prevent the disinterment of the remains
of the decedent under division (E) of this section promptly shall
give notice of the filing of the application by certified mail,
return receipt requested, to the decedent's
surviving spouseapplicant
under division (A)(1) of this section.
The notice shall indicate that the applicant has filed an application
for an order to prevent the disinterment of the remains of the
decedent.
(F) As used in this section and in section 517.24 of the Revised Code:
(1) "Cemetery" and "interment" have the same meanings as in section 1721.21 of the Revised Code.
(2) "Disinterment" means the recovery of human remains by exhumation, disentombment, or disinurnment. "Disinterment" does not include the raising and lowering of remains to accommodate two interments within a single grave and does not include the repositioning of an outside burial container that encroaches an adjoining burial space.
Sec.
517.24. (A)
An application by a
surviving spouse an
applicant for
disinterment under section 517.23 of the Revised Code shall be in
writing and shall state that
whether
the
applicant is the
designated representative to whom the decedent has assigned the right
of disposition of the decedent's body in a written declaration
pursuant to section 2108.70 of the Revised Code and exercised such
right at the time of the declarant's death or, if none, the
surviving spouse of
the decedent,
that the applicant is eighteen years of age or older and of sound
mind, the disease of which the decedent died, and the place at which
the remains shall be reinterred. The
application shall be subscribed and verified by oathIf
the applicant is the designated representative to whom the decedent
has assigned the right of disposition in a written declaration
pursuant to section 2108.70 of the Revised Code, a copy of the
declaration that appointed the applicant shall be attached to the
application. If the applicant is the surviving spouse, the
application shall state one of the following:
(1) That to the best of the applicant's knowledge the decedent did not sign a declaration of assignment pursuant to section 2108.72 of the Revised Code or it is not available to the applicant;
(2) That to the best of the applicant's knowledge the assignee pursuant to a declaration of assignment pursuant to section 2108.72 of the Revised Code did not exercise the right of disposition.
(B)(1)
A person who is eighteen years of age or older and of sound mind and
who is not the
surviving spouse of the decedent involved qualified
to file an application to disinter pursuant to division (A)(1) of
section 517.23 of the Revised Code may
obtain a court order under this division for the disinterment of the
remains of the decedent. Any person who is eighteen years of age or
older and of sound mind, including, but not limited to, the person
who assumed financial responsibility for the funeral and burial
expenses of the decedent, and who wishes to obtain a court order for
the disinterment of the remains of the decedent may file an
application in the probate court of the county in which the decedent
is buried requesting the court to issue an order for the disinterment
of the remains of the decedent. The application shall be in writing,
subscribed and verified by oath, and include all of the following:
(a) If applicable, a statement that the applicant assumed financial responsibility for the funeral and burial expenses of the decedent;
(b) If division (B)(1)(a) of this section is inapplicable relative to the applicant, a statement that the applicant did not assume financial responsibility for the funeral and burial expenses of the decedent;
(c) A statement that the applicant is eighteen years of age or older and of sound mind;
(d) The relationship of the applicant to the decedent;
(e) A statement of the place at which the remains will be reinterred;
(f)
The name, the relationship to the decedent, and the address
of the decedent's surviving spouse,;
of the person who has been assigned the rights of disposition for the
deceased person under the provisions of sections 2108.70 to 2108.90
of the Revised Code;
of
all persons who would have been entitled to inherit from the decedent
under Chapter 2105. of the Revised Code if the decedent had died
intestate,;
and,
if the decedent had a will, of all legatees and devisees named in the
decedent's will;
(g) A true and correct copy of the decedent's written declaration of assignment pursuant to section 2108.70 of the Revised Code, if any, or one of the following:
(i) A statement that to the best of the applicant's knowledge the decedent did not sign a written declaration of assignment or it is not available to the applicant;
(ii) A statement that to the best of the applicant's knowledge the assignee pursuant to a declaration of assignment pursuant to section 2108.72 of the Revised Code did not exercise the right of disposition.
(2)(a) Subject to division (B)(2)(b) of this section, upon the filing of an application for an order for disinterment of remains under division (B) of this section, the applicant promptly shall give notice as described in this division by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the decedent's surviving spouse; to the person who has been assigned the rights of disposition for the deceased person under the provisions of sections 2108.70 to 2108.90 of the Revised Code; to all persons who would have been entitled to inherit from the decedent under Chapter 2105. of the Revised Code if the decedent had died intestate; if the decedent had a will, to all legatees and devisees named in the decedent's will; and to the board of township trustees, the trustees or directors of a cemetery association, or the other officers having control and management of the cemetery in which the remains of the decedent are interred or to the officer of a municipal corporation who has control and management of a municipal cemetery in which the remains of the decedent are interred. The notice shall indicate that an application for disinterment of the remains of the decedent has been filed.
(b) A person entitled to be given the notice described in division (B)(2)(a) of this section may waive the right to receive the notice by filing a written waiver of that right in the probate court.
(c) The fact that the notice required by division (B)(2)(a) of this section has been given, subject to division (B)(2)(d) of this section, to all persons described in division (B)(2)(a) of this section who have not waived their right to receive the notice and, if applicable, the fact that certain persons described in that division have waived their right to receive the notice in accordance with division (B)(2)(b) of this section shall be evidenced by an affidavit of the applicant for the order for disinterment, and the applicant shall file the affidavit in the probate court.
(d) An applicant for an order for disinterment is not required to give a notice pursuant to division (B)(2)(a) of this section to persons whose names or places of residence are unknown and cannot with reasonable diligence be ascertained, and the applicant shall file an affidavit in the probate court specifying any persons who were not given notice pursuant to division (B)(2)(a) of this section and the reason for not giving notice to those persons.
(3)(a)
Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(3)(b) of this section,
upon the filing of an application for disinterment of remains and the
giving of the required notice under division (B)(2) of this section,
the probate court promptly shall conduct a hearing to determine
whether to issue an order for disinterment of the remains of the
decedent,
taking into account the provisions of section 2108.82 of the Revised
Code.
Except
as otherwise provided in division (B)(3)(a) of this section, at the
hearing, the court, in its discretion, may issue an order for
disinterment of the decedent's remains if good cause for disinterment
is shown. If a person who is an interested party and who is eighteen
years of age or older and of sound mind establishes by a
preponderance of the evidence at the hearing that the issuance of an
order for disinterment of the decedent's remains under division
(B)(3) of this section would be against the decedent's religious
beliefs or ascertainable desires, the court shall not issue the
requested order unless the court finds a compelling reason to issue
it. If
the court is
not so prohibited from issuing the requested order and exercises its
discretion to issue issues
the
requested order for disinterment of the decedent's remains in
accordance with division (B)(3) of this section, the court promptly
shall deliver the order to the applicant. An order of the court for
disinterment of the decedent's remains shall specify that the board
of township trustees, the trustees or board of the cemetery
association, or other officers having control and management of the
cemetery or the officer of a municipal corporation who has control
and management of the municipal cemetery shall have a period of at
least thirty days from the receipt of the order to perform the
ordered disinterment.
(b) The court is not required to conduct a hearing under division (B)(3)(a) of this section if each person entitled to be given the notice described in division (B)(2)(a) of this section has waived that right by filing a written waiver of the right to receive the notice in the probate court.
Sec.
517.25. If
the board of township trustees, the trustees or board of a cemetery
association, or the other officers in charge of a cemetery refuse to
disinter or grant permission for disinterment after a surviving
spouse person
makes
application under sections
division
(A)(1) of section 517.23
and
or
under division (B)(1) of section 517.24
of the Revised Code, the probate court of the county in which the
decedent is buried shall issue a writ of mandamus requiring the
officers to disinter the remains or to grant permission for their
disinterment.
Sec. 2107.52. (A) As used in this section:
(1) "Class member" means an individual who fails to survive the testator but who would have taken under a devise in the form of a class gift had the individual survived the testator.
(2) "Descendant of a grandparent" means an individual who qualifies as a descendant of a grandparent of the testator or of the donor of a power of appointment under either of the following:
(a) The rules of construction applicable to a class gift created in the testator's will if the devise or the exercise of the power of appointment is in the form of a class gift;
(b) The rules for intestate succession if the devise or the exercise of the power of appointment is not in the form of a class gift.
(3)(a)
"Devise"
means
an includes
a primary devise, an alternative
devise, a devise in the form of a class gift, or
and
an
exercise of a power of appointment.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this division, the amendment to division (A)(3)(a) of this section in this act shall be given retroactive effect to the fullest extent permitted under Ohio Constitution, Article II, Section 28. The amendment shall not be given retroactive effect in those instances where doing so would invalidate or supersede any instrument that conveys real property or any interest in the real property, recorded in the office of the county recorder in which that real property is situated.
(4) "Devisee" means any of the following:
(a) A class member if the devise is in the form of a class gift;
(b) An individual or class member who was deceased at the time the testator executed the testator's will or an individual or class member who was then living but who failed to survive the testator;
(c) An appointee under a power of appointment exercised by the testator's will.
(5) "Per stirpes" means that the shares of the descendants of a devisee who does not survive the testator are determined in the same way they would have been determined under division (A) of section 2105.06 of the Revised Code if the devisee had died intestate and unmarried on the date of the testator's death.
(6) "Stepchild" means a child of the surviving, deceased, or former spouse of the testator or of the donor of a power of appointment and not of the testator or donor.
(7) "Surviving devisee" or "surviving descendant" means a devisee or descendant, whichever is applicable, who survives the testator by at least one hundred twenty hours.
(8) "Testator" includes the donee of a power of appointment if the power is exercised in the testator's will.
(B)(1) As used in "surviving descendants" in divisions (B)(2)(a) and (b) of this section, "descendants" means the descendants of a deceased devisee or class member under the applicable division who would take under a class gift created in the testator's will.
(2) Unless a contrary intent appears in the will, if a devisee fails to survive the testator and is a grandparent, a descendant of a grandparent, or a stepchild of either the testator or the donor of a power of appointment exercised by the testator's will, either of the following applies:
(a) If the devise is not in the form of a class gift and the deceased devisee leaves surviving descendants, a substitute gift is created in the devisee's surviving descendants. The surviving descendants take, per stirpes, the property to which the devisee would have been entitled had the devisee survived the testator.
(b) If the devise is in the form of a class gift, other than a devise to "issue," "descendants," "heirs of the body," "heirs," "next of kin," "relatives," or "family," or a class described by language of similar import that includes more than one generation, a substitute gift is created in the surviving descendants of any deceased devisee. The property to which the devisees would have been entitled had all of them survived the testator passes to the surviving devisees and the surviving descendants of the deceased devisees. Each surviving devisee takes the share to which the surviving devisee would have been entitled had the deceased devisees survived the testator. Each deceased devisee's surviving descendants who are substituted for the deceased devisee take, per stirpes, the share to which the deceased devisee would have been entitled had the deceased devisee survived the testator. For purposes of division (B)(2)(b) of this section, "deceased devisee" means a class member who failed to survive the testator by at least one hundred twenty hours and left one or more surviving descendants.
(C) For purposes of this section, each of the following applies:
(1) Attaching the word "surviving" or "living" to a devise, such as a gift "to my surviving (or living) children," is not, in the absence of other language in the will or other evidence to the contrary, a sufficient indication of an intent to negate the application of division (B) of this section.
(2) Attaching other words of survivorship to a devise, such as "to my child, if my child survives me," is, in the absence of other language in the will or other evidence to the contrary, a sufficient indication of an intent to negate the application of division (B) of this section.
(3) A residuary clause is not a sufficient indication of an intent to negate the application of division (B) of this section unless the will specifically provides that upon lapse or failure the nonresiduary devise, or nonresiduary devises in general, pass under the residuary clause.
(4) Unless the language creating a power of appointment expressly excludes the substitution of the descendants of an appointee for the appointee, a surviving descendant of a deceased appointee of a power of appointment may be substituted for the appointee under this section, whether or not the descendant is an object of the power of appointment.
(D) Except as provided in division (A), (B), or (C) of this section, each of the following applies:
(1) A devise, other than a residuary devise, that fails for any reason becomes a part of the residue.
(2) If the residue is devised to two or more persons, the share of a residuary devisee that fails for any reason passes to the other residuary devisee, or to other residuary devisees in proportion to the interest of each in the remaining part of the residue.
(3) If a residuary devise fails for any reason in its entirety, the residue passes by intestate succession.
(E) This section applies only to outright devises and appointments. Devises and appointments in trust, including to a testamentary trust, are subject to section 5808.19 of the Revised Code.
(F) This section applies to wills of decedents who die on or after March 22, 2012.
Sec. 2108.82. (A) Notwithstanding section 2108.81 of the Revised Code and in accordance with division (B) of this section, the probate court for the county in which the declarant or deceased person resided at the time of death may, on its own motion or the motion of another person, assign to any person the right of disposition for a declarant or deceased person.
(B) In making a determination for purposes of division (A) of this section and division (C) of section 2108.79 of the Revised Code, the court shall consider the following:
(1) Whether evidence presented to, or in the possession of the court, demonstrates that the person who is the subject of the motion and the declarant or deceased person had a close personal relationship;
(2)
The reasonableness and practicality of any plans that the person who
is the subject of the motion may have for the declarant's or deceased
person's funeral, burial, cremation, or
final
disposition, redisposition,
or disinterment, including
the degree to which such plans allow maximum participation by all
persons who wish to pay their final respects to the deceased person;
(3)
The willingness of the person who is the subject of the motion to
assume the responsibility to pay for the declarant's or deceased
person's funeral, burial, cremation, or
final
disposition,
redisposition, or disinterment,
and
the desires of that person;
(4)
The convenience and needs of other families
family
members and
friends wishing to pay their final respects to the declarant or
deceased person;
(5) The express written desires of the declarant or deceased person;
(6) The religious beliefs or other evidence of the desires of the declarant or deceased person;
(7) The conduct of the persons involved in the proceedings related to the circumstances concerning the deceased person, the deceased person's estate, and other family members;
(8) The length of time that has elapsed since the original or last disposition;
(9) Whether there is a change of circumstances, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
(a) A change to the physical or environmental conditions of the cemetery or other location of the deceased person's bodily remains or the surrounding area;
(b) A change to the financial condition of the cemetery operator or organization containing the deceased person's bodily remains;
(c) A change related to the residence of the deceased person's family members;
(d) A change to the burial arrangements for the deceased person's family members.
A change of circumstances does not include a mere change of the representative who has been assigned the right to direct the disposition of the deceased person's bodily remains.
(C) There shall be no disinterment or other change of the original or last disposition unless the court makes a finding of compelling reasons based upon the factors listed in division (B) of this section.
(D) Except to the extent considered under division (B)(3) of this section, the following persons do not have a greater claim to the right of disposition than such persons otherwise have pursuant to law:
(1) A person who is willing to assume the responsibility to pay for the declarant's or deceased person's funeral, burial, cremation, or final disposition;
(2) The personal representative of the declarant or deceased person.
Sec. 2111.18. If personal injury, damage to tangible or intangible property, or damage or loss on account of personal injury or damage to tangible or intangible property is caused to a ward by wrongful act, neglect, or default that would entitle the ward to maintain an action and recover damages for the injury, damage, or loss, and when any ward is entitled to maintain an action for damages or any other relief based on any claim or is subject to any claim to recover damages or any other relief based on any claim, the guardian of the estate of the ward may adjust and settle the claim with the advice, approval, and consent of the probate court. If it is proposed that a claim be settled for the net amount of twenty-five thousand dollars or less after payment of fees and expenses as allowed by the court, the court, upon application by any suitable person whom the court may authorize to receive and receipt for the settlement, may authorize the settlement without the appointment of a guardian and authorize the delivery of the moneys as provided in section 2111.05 of the Revised Code. The court may authorize the person receiving the moneys to execute a complete release on account of the receipt. The payment shall be a complete and final discharge of that claim. In the settlement, if the ward is a minor, the parent or parents of the minor may waive all claim for damages on account of loss of service of the minor, and that claim may be included in the settlement. If the claimant is a minor, records of proceedings pursuant to this section are not subject to disclosure to any person who is not a party to the settlement, or made available for publication or inspection, except upon motion and show of good cause.
Sec. 2117.06. (A) All creditors having claims against an estate, including claims arising out of contract, out of tort, on cognovit notes, or on judgments, whether due or not due, secured or unsecured, liquidated or unliquidated, shall present their claims in one of the following manners:
(1) After the appointment of an executor or administrator and prior to the filing of a final account or a certificate of termination, in one of the following manners:
(a) To the executor or administrator, or to an attorney who is identified as counsel for the executor or administrator in the probate court records for the estate of the decedent, in a writing;
(b)
To the
executor or administrator in a writing, and to the
probate court by
filing in
a
copy
of the writing
with
itthat
includes the probate court case number of the decedent's estate;
(c)
In a writing that
is sent by ordinary mail addressed to the decedent and that
is actually received by the executor or administrator,
or by an attorney who is identified as counsel for the executor or
administrator in the probate court records for the estate of the
decedent,
within
the appropriate time specified in division (B) of this section
and
without regard to whom the writing is addressed.
For purposes of this division, if an executor or administrator is not
a natural person, the writing shall be considered as being actually
received by the executor or administrator only if the person charged
with the primary responsibility of administering the estate of the
decedent actually receives the writing within the appropriate time
specified in division (B) of this section.
(2) If the final account or certificate of termination has been filed, in a writing to those distributees of the decedent's estate who may share liability for the payment of the claim.
(B) Except as provided in section 2117.061 of the Revised Code, all claims shall be presented within six months after the death of the decedent, whether or not the estate is released from administration or an executor or administrator is appointed during that six-month period. Every claim presented shall set forth the claimant's address.
(C) Except as provided in section 2117.061 of the Revised Code, a claim that is not presented within six months after the death of the decedent shall be forever barred as to all parties, including, but not limited to, devisees, legatees, and distributees. No payment shall be made on the claim and no action shall be maintained on the claim, except as otherwise provided in sections 2117.37 to 2117.42 of the Revised Code with reference to contingent claims.
(D) In the absence of any prior demand for allowance, the executor or administrator shall allow or reject all claims, except tax assessment claims, within thirty days after their presentation, provided that failure of the executor or administrator to allow or reject within that time shall not prevent the executor or administrator from doing so after that time and shall not prejudice the rights of any claimant. Upon the allowance of a claim, the executor or the administrator, on demand of the creditor, shall furnish the creditor with a written statement or memorandum of the fact and date of the allowance.
(E) If the executor or administrator has actual knowledge of a pending action commenced against the decedent prior to the decedent's death in a court of record in this state, the executor or administrator shall file a notice of the appointment of the executor or administrator in the pending action within ten days after acquiring that knowledge. If the administrator or executor is not a natural person, actual knowledge of a pending suit against the decedent shall be limited to the actual knowledge of the person charged with the primary responsibility of administering the estate of the decedent. Failure to file the notice within the ten-day period does not extend the claim period established by this section.
(F) This section applies to any person who is required to give written notice to the executor or administrator of a motion or application to revive an action pending against the decedent at the date of the death of the decedent.
(G) Nothing in this section or in section 2117.07 of the Revised Code shall be construed to reduce the periods of limitation or periods prior to repose in section 2125.02 or Chapter 2305. of the Revised Code, provided that no portion of any recovery on a claim brought pursuant to that section or any section in that chapter shall come from the assets of an estate unless the claim has been presented against the estate in accordance with Chapter 2117. of the Revised Code.
(H) Any person whose claim has been presented and has not been rejected after presentment is a creditor as that term is used in Chapters 2113. to 2125. of the Revised Code. Claims that are contingent need not be presented except as provided in sections 2117.37 to 2117.42 of the Revised Code, but, whether presented pursuant to those sections or this section, contingent claims may be presented in any of the manners described in division (A) of this section.
(I) If a creditor presents a claim against an estate in accordance with division (A)(1)(b) of this section, the probate court shall not close the administration of the estate until that claim is allowed or rejected.
(J) The probate court shall not require an executor or administrator to make and return into the court a schedule of claims against the estate.
(K) If the executor or administrator makes a distribution of the assets of the estate pursuant to section 2113.53 of the Revised Code and prior to the expiration of the time for the presentation of claims as set forth in this section, the executor or administrator shall provide notice on the account delivered to each distributee that the distributee may be liable to the estate if a claim is presented prior to the filing of the final account and may be liable to the claimant if the claim is presented after the filing of the final account up to the value of the distribution and may be required to return all or any part of the value of the distribution if a valid claim is subsequently made against the estate within the time permitted under this section.
Sec. 2117.07. An executor or administrator may accelerate the bar against claims against the estate established by section 2117.06 of the Revised Code by giving written notice to a potential claimant that identifies the decedent by name, states the date of the death of the decedent, identifies the executor or administrator by name and mailing address, and informs the potential claimant that any claims the claimant may have against the estate are required to be presented to the executor or administrator in a writing in the manner provided in section 2117.06 of the Revised Code within the earlier of thirty days after receipt of the notice by the potential claimant or six months after the date of the death of the decedent. A claim of that potential claimant that is not presented in the manner provided by section 2117.06 of the Revised Code within the earlier of thirty days after receipt of the notice by the potential claimant or six months after the date of the death of the decedent is barred by section 2117.06 of the Revised Code in the same manner as if it was not presented within six months after the date of the death of the decedent.
Sec. 2131.09. (A) A trust of real or personal property created by an employer as part of a stock bonus plan, pension plan, disability or death benefit plan, or profit-sharing plan, for the benefit of some or all of the employees, to which contributions are made by the employer or employees, or both, for the purpose of distributing to the employees or their beneficiaries the earnings or the principal, or both earnings and principal, of the fund so held in trust is not invalid as violating the rule against perpetuities, any other existing law against perpetuities, or any law restricting or limiting the duration of trusts; but the trust may continue for the time that is necessary to accomplish the purposes for which it was created.
The income arising from any trust within the classifications mentioned in this division may be accumulated in accordance with the terms of the trust for as long a time as is necessary to accomplish the purposes for which the trust was created, notwithstanding any law limiting the period during which trust income may be accumulated.
No rule of law against perpetuities or the suspension of the power of alienation of the title to property invalidates any trust within the classifications mentioned in this division unless the trust is terminated by decree of a court in a suit instituted within two years after June 25, 1951.
(B)(1) No rule of law against perpetuities or suspension of the power of alienation of the title to property, any other existing law against perpetuities, or any law restricting or limiting the duration of trusts shall apply with respect to any interest in real or personal property held in trust if both of the following apply:
(a) The instrument creating the trust specifically states that the rule against perpetuities or the provisions of division (A) of section 2131.08 of the Revised Code shall not apply to the trust.
(b) The trustee has unlimited power, or one or more persons have the unlimited power to direct the trustee or to approve the trustee's decision, either to sell all trust assets or to terminate the entire trust.
(2) Division (B)(1) of this section shall apply to the interpretation of a testamentary or inter vivos trust instrument that creates an interest in real or personal property in relation to which one or more of the following conditions apply:
(a) The instrument creating the testamentary or inter vivos trust is executed in this state.
(b) The sole trustee or one of the trustees is domiciled in this state.
(c) The testamentary or inter vivos trust is administered in this state or the situs of a substantial portion of the assets subject to the testamentary portion of the testamentary or inter vivos trust is in this state, even though some part or all of those assets are physically deposited for safekeeping in a state other than this state.
(d) The instrument creating the testamentary or inter vivos trust states that the law of this state is to apply.
(3) Subject to division (C) of this section, division (B) of this section shall be effective with respect to all of the following:
(a) An interest in real or personal property in trust created under the terms of a will of a decedent dying on or after March 22, 1999;
(b) An interest in real or personal property created under the terms of an inter vivos or testamentary trust instrument executed on or after March 22, 1999;
(c) An interest in real or personal property in trust created by the exercise of a general power of appointment on or after March 22, 1999;
(d)
An interest in real or personal property in trust created by the
exercise of a nongeneral power of appointment over any portion of a
trust that meets the requirements of division (B) of this section,
but only if the date of creation of that nongeneral power of
appointment is on or after the
effective date of this section March
27, 2013.
(C)
The exercise of a nongeneral power of appointment granted over any
portion of a trust to which the rule against perpetuities does not
apply because the terms of the trust meet the requirements of
division (B) of this section shall nevertheless be subject to section
2131.08 of the Revised Code, except that interests created pursuant
to the exercise of a nongeneral power of appointment that has a date
of creation on or after the
effective date of this section March
27, 2013,
shall
be required to vest not later than one thousand years after
the date of creation of that power.
(D) For purposes of this section, the instrument creating a trust subject to a power reserved by the grantor to amend, revoke, or terminate the trust shall include the original instrument establishing the trust and all amendments to the instrument made prior to the time at which the reserved power expires by reason of the death of the grantor, by release of the power, or otherwise.
(E)
The amendment of division (B)(1) of this section and divisions (D)
and (F) of this section are intended to clarify the provisions of
divisions
(B) and (C) of this
section as originally enacted and apply to trust instruments that are
in existence prior to, on, or after the
effective date of this section March
22, 1999.
(F) For purposes of this section:
(1) "General power of appointment" means a power that is exercisable in favor of the individual possessing the power, the individual's estate, the individual's creditors, or the creditors of the individual's estate other than either of the following:
(a) A power that is limited by an ascertainable standard as defined in section 5801.01 of the Revised Code;
(b) A power of withdrawal held by an individual, but only to the extent that it does not exceed the amount specified in section 2041(b)(2) or 2514(e) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C. 1 et seq., as amended.
(2) "Nongeneral power of appointment" means any power of appointment that is not a general power of appointment.
(3) The "date of creation" of a nongeneral power of appointment created by the exercise of one or more powers of appointment, except by the exercise of a general power of appointment exercisable by deed, shall be the date of creation of the first of those powers of appointment to be exercised.
(4) "Exercisable by deed" has the same meaning as in section 2131.08 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 2131.14. (A) As used in this section:
(1) "Designate" or "designation in beneficiary form" means to designate, or the designation of, tangible personal property, with the intention to transfer ownership upon death of the present owner, to one or more persons, identified by name, as the transfer-on-death beneficiary or beneficiaries, who will become the owner or owners of the tangible personal property upon death of the present owner.
(2) "Motor vehicle" has the same meaning as in section 4505.01 of the Revised Code.
(3) "Person" means an individual, a corporation, an organization, a trust, or other legal entity.
(4) "Tangible personal property" means objects that may be touched and moved, including animals and property that is acquired after the execution of a designation in beneficiary form. "Tangible personal property" excludes money other than coin collections, or any registered or certificated tangible personal property such as motor vehicles, watercraft, and outboard motors.
(5) "Transfer-on-death beneficiary" or "beneficiaries" means a person or persons, identified by name, specified in a designation in beneficiary form who will become the owner or owners of the tangible personal property upon the death of the present owner.
(6) "Transferring person" means any person that delivers or conveys tangible personal property to a transfer-on-death beneficiary or beneficiaries in accordance with a designation in beneficiary form that satisfies the requirements of division (B) of this section.
(7) "Watercraft" has the same meaning as in section 1548.01 of the Revised Code.
(B) A designation in beneficiary form shall:
(1) Be in writing;
(2) List all of the following:
(a) Contain a general statement of disposition of all tangible personal property or describe the specific item or items of tangible personal property;
(b) Identify a specified part of the interest to be transferred, if less than the entire interest;
(c) State "transfer-on-death," "TOD," or any other words or statements to indicate intent to transfer ownership of tangible personal property upon the death of the present owner;
(d) Identify the name of the transfer-on-death beneficiary or beneficiaries.
(3) Be dated;
(4) Be executed by the present owner and acknowledged before a notary public.
(C) A designation in beneficiary form is not required to be supported by any consideration or be delivered to the transfer-on-death beneficiary or beneficiaries in order for the designation in beneficiary form to be effective.
(D) A designation in beneficiary form has no effect on the ownership of the tangible personal property until the death of the present owner. The present owner may revoke or change the designation in beneficiary form at any time without the consent of the transfer-on-death beneficiary or beneficiaries by a subsequently executed designation in beneficiary form or by a subsequently executed written instrument that is dated, executed by the present owner, and acknowledged before a notary public.
(E) Upon the death of the present owner of tangible personal property designated in beneficiary form, the ownership of the tangible personal property shall pass to the transfer-on-death beneficiary or beneficiaries who survive the deceased owner or are in existence on the date of death of the deceased owner.
(F) A designation in beneficiary form may include primary and contingent transfer-on-death beneficiaries.
(G) If there are inconsistent designations in beneficiary form, the most recent designation in beneficiary form controls.
(H) If no primary or contingent transfer-on-death beneficiary or beneficiaries survive the deceased owner, the tangible personal property shall be included in the probate estate of the deceased owner.
(I) The recipient of tangible personal property that was improperly distributed, pursuant to a designation in beneficiary form, by a transferring person or otherwise, is liable to deliver the improperly received tangible personal property to the rightful beneficiary or beneficiaries. If a recipient who improperly received the tangible personal property no longer has the tangible personal property or has imposed an encumbrance on the tangible personal property, the recipient is liable to return the value of the property as of the date of disposition.
(J) The present owner, in making provision for a nonprobate transfer under this section, gives to any transferring person acting hereunder the protections provided in this section for executing the present owner's designation in beneficiary form.
(K) A transferring person may rely and act on a certified or authenticated copy of a death certificate issued by an official or agency of the place where the death occurred as showing the fact, place, date, time of death, and identity of the decedent, or a certified or authenticated copy of a report or record of any governmental agency that a person is deceased.
(L) A transferring person has no duty to do any of the following:
(1) Give notice to any person of the date, manner, and persons to whom transfer will be made under the beneficiary designation;
(2) Attempt to locate any beneficiary;
(3) Locate a trustee or custodian, obtain appointment of a successor trustee or custodian, or discover the existence of a trust instrument or will that creates an express trust;
(4) Determine any fact or law that would cause the beneficiary designation to be revoked, in whole or in part, as to any person or that would qualify or disqualify any person to receive a share under the nonprobate transfer, or that would vary the distribution provided in the beneficiary designation.
(M) If there is an issue or problem with respect to the transfer of the tangible personal property to the transfer-on-death beneficiary or beneficiaries, a transferring person has the right to petition the probate court having jurisdiction with respect to the deceased owner's estate for instructions.
(N) If, after the execution of a designation of beneficiary form under which the present owner of the tangible personal property's spouse is designated the transfer-on-death beneficiary, the present owner of the tangible personal property and the present owner's spouse are divorced, obtain a dissolution of marriage, or have the marriage annulled, then the designation of the present owner's spouse as a transfer-on-death beneficiary shall be terminated and the spouse shall be deemed to have predeceased the present owner of the tangible personal property.
(O) A transfer by the transferring person, in accordance with this section and pursuant to a beneficiary designation, in good faith and in reliance on information the transferring person reasonably believes to be accurate, discharges the transferring person from all claims and liability for the property transferred, regardless of any negligence in determining the proper transferees. The remedy of the rightful transferees of tangible personal property transferred under a designation in beneficiary form executed in compliance with division (B) of this section shall be limited to an action against the improper transferees.
(P) This section does not preclude other methods of transferring ownership of tangible personal property that are permitted by law and have the effect of postponing enjoyment of the tangible personal property until after the death of the present owner.
Sec. 5801.20. As used in sections 5801.20 to 5801.24 of the Revised Code:
(A)(1) "Applicable reporting period" means either of the following, as applicable:
(a) The most recent four years, as of the date of preparation of a notice authorized under division (B) of section 5801.22 or division (B) of section 5801.23 of the Revised Code;
(b) If the trust became irrevocable during such four-year period, the period from the date the trust became irrevocable to the date of preparation of the notice.
(2) If the trustee sending the notice accepted the trusteeship during the period described in division (A)(1) of this section, the "applicable reporting period" shall be from the date of the trustee's acceptance to the date of preparation of the notice.
(B) "Departing trustee" means a trustee who is resigning or has been removed as trustee of a trust.
(C) "Distributions objection period" means a forty-five-day period for providing the trustee of the noticing trust with objections under division (D) of section 5801.22 of the Revised Code. The period commences with the date the notice and trustee's reports described in division (B) of section 5801.22 of the Revised Code are served on the recipient.
(D) "Noticing trust" means a trust whose trustee is serving or has served a notice and trustee reports under section 5801.22 or 5801.23 of the Revised Code.
(E) "Resignation or removal necessary parties" means the following persons:
(1) In the case of a trustee resignation:
(a) If the trust terms identify one or more persons to whom notice of the trustee's resignation must be provided, the persons so identified and any other persons who are current beneficiaries of the trust, determined as of the date of the notice described in division (B) of section 5801.23 of the Revised Code;
(b) If the trust terms do not identify any persons to whom notice of the trustee's resignation must be provided, the qualified beneficiaries of the trust, determined as of the date of the notice described in division (B) of section 5801.23 of the Revised Code.
(2) In the case of a trustee removal, the persons, if any, to whom notice of trustee removal is required to be provided under the trust terms and any other persons who are current beneficiaries of the trust, determined as of the date of the notice described in division (B) of section 5801.23 of the Revised Code.
(3) Any co-trustee of the trust;
(4) The successor trustee if one has been appointed or designated as provided in the trust terms or otherwise appointed, as provided in division (C) of section 5807.04 of the Revised Code or pursuant to other applicable law.
(F) "Successor trustee" means a person, not previously serving as a co-trustee, who is to replace the departing trustee following the departing trustee's resignation or removal.
(G) "Terminating distributions necessary parties" means:
(1) The current beneficiaries of the trust, determined as of the date of the notice described in division (B) of section 5801.22 of the Revised Code;
(2) If the trust-terminating distributions include one or more mandatory distributions under the terms of the trust, all other persons living at the date of the notice who were current beneficiaries of the trust immediately prior to the triggering event that is the basis for the mandatory distributions;
(3) Any co-trustee of the trust.
(H) "Triggering event" means any event, such as a death, age attainment or other circumstance, that has occurred and that is the basis for a mandatory distribution under the terms of the trust.
(I) "Trust-terminating distributions" means distributions that, when completed, will distribute the remaining net assets of a trust and thereby effectively terminate the trust, including any such distributions that are made pursuant to section 5808.18 of the Revised Code or under any similar statutory or common law applicable to the trust.
(J) "Trustee indemnification clause" means a provision that indemnifies the trustee against loss arising from a claim relating to the trustee's administration of the trust.
(K) "Trustee's report" means a report as described in division (C) of section 5808.13 of the Revised Code.
(L) "Trustee succession objection period" means a forty-five-day period for providing to the departing trustee objections under division (D) of section 5801.23 of the Revised Code. The period commences with the date the notice and trustee's reports described in division (B) of section 5801.23 of the Revised Code are served on the recipient.
Sec. 5801.21. (A) A trustee may, but is not required to, use the process prescribed in sections 5801.22 and 5801.23 of the Revised Code, as applicable, when concluding the trustee's administration of an irrevocable trust.
(B) Sections 5801.20 to 5801.24 of the Revised Code do not apply to a testamentary trust subject to the supervision of a probate court.
(C) Except as otherwise provided in the Revised Code or other applicable law, including the common law, the provisions of sections 5801.22 and 5801.23 of the Revised Code may be used in combination with or in lieu of other options or proceedings available under the Revised Code or other applicable law, including the common law.
(D) A trustee's substantial good-faith compliance with the requirements concerning the contents of the notices described in division (B) of section 5801.22 and division (B) of section 5801.23 of the Revised Code is deemed sufficient.
Sec. 5801.22. (A) When a trust is to terminate as a result of trust-terminating distributions and the trustee elects to use the provisions of this section, the trustee shall serve on the terminating distributions necessary parties the documents and information described in division (B) of this section. The trustee also may serve those documents and that information on other persons who the trustee reasonably believes may have an interest in the trust. Service shall be made within a reasonable period of time after the event or determination that requires or authorizes such distributions.
(B) The documents and information to be served include both of the following:
(1) A written notice, executed by or on behalf of the trustee, that includes the following information:
(a) The date of the notice, corresponding to the date the notice is being sent;
(b) A description of the terms of the trust that require or authorize the trust-terminating distributions or a citation to any statute that requires or authorizes the distributions;
(c) If the terms of the trust require any of the proposed trust-terminating distributions, a description of any triggering event that is the basis for each mandatory distribution;
(d) A description of the proposed trust-terminating distributions that includes the names of the proposed distributees and a description, in general or specific terms, of the assets proposed for distribution to each;
(e) A description of the distributions objection period and the name, mailing address, electronic address if available, and telephone number of the person or office associated with the trustee to which any written objections should be sent;
(f) A description of the process, described in division (C) of this section, that will be followed if the trustee receives no written objections within the distributions objection period;
(g) A description of the process, described in division (D) of this section, that will be followed if the trustee receives a written objection within the distributions objection period;
(h) A statement of the impending bar of claims against the trustee, as described in division (F) of this section, that will result if an objection is not timely made;
(i) A statement that the trustee may rely upon the written statement of a recipient of the notice that such person consents to the proposed trust-terminating distributions and irrevocably waives the right to object to the distributions and any claim against the trustee for matters disclosed in the notice or the trustee's reports served with it and all other matters pertaining to the trustee's administration of the trust;
(j) A statement that the trustee may complete the distributions described in the notice prior to the expiration of the distributions objection period if all of the persons on whom the notice was served deliver to the trustee written consents and irrevocable waivers of the kind described in division (E) of this section;
(k) An exhibit showing the assets on hand at the date the notice is prepared and their respective values as shown in the regularly kept records of the trustee;
(l) An estimate of any assets, income, taxes, fees, expenses, claims, or other items reasonably expected by the trustee to be received or disbursed before completion of the trust-terminating distributions but not yet received or disbursed, including trustee fees remaining to be paid.
(2) One or more trustee's reports covering the applicable reporting period.
(C) If no written objection is received by the trustee within the distributions objection period:
(1) The notice and trustee's reports served pursuant to division (A) of this section shall be considered approved by each recipient of the notice and reports;
(2) The trustee, within a reasonable period of time following the expiration of the distributions objection period, shall distribute the assets as provided in the notice;
(3) Any person who was served such notice and reports shall be barred from bringing a claim against the trustee, and from challenging the validity of the trust, as provided in division (F) of this section.
(D)(1) If, after being served the notice and trustee's reports described in division (B) of this section, a qualified beneficiary or any other recipient of the notice wishes to object to matters disclosed in the notice or trustee's reports served, or any other matter pertaining to the trustee's administration of the trust, the person shall provide written notice of the objection to the trustee of the noticing trust within the distributions objection period. If the trustee receives a written objection within the distributions objection period, the trustee may do either of the following:
(a) Submit the written objection to the court for resolution. The expense of commencing, conducting, and concluding such a proceeding shall be charged as ordered by the court.
(b)(i) Resolve the objection with the objecting person by accepting a withdrawal of the person's objection or by written instrument, a written agreement as described in section 5801.10 of the Revised Code, or other means.
(ii) Any agreement or other written instrument executed by the objecting party pursuant to division (D)(1)(b)(i) of this section may include a release and a trustee indemnification clause, along with other terms agreed to by the parties. Reasonable expenses related to such written instrument or written agreement shall be charged to the trust.
(2) Within a reasonable time after resolution of all timely objections under division (D)(1) of this section, the trustee shall distribute the remaining trust assets as provided in the notice, subject to any modifications provided for in the terms of the document setting forth the resolution of each such objection.
(E)(1) The trustee may rely upon the written statement of a recipient of the notice and trustee's reports served under this section that the recipient:
(a) Consents to the proposed trust-terminating distributions;
(b) Irrevocably waives the right to object to the distributions;
(c) Irrevocably waives any claims against the trustee for breach of trust as to matters disclosed in the notice and trustee's reports and all other matters pertaining to the trustee's administration of the trust.
(2) The distributions described in the notice may be completed prior to the expiration of the distributions objection period if all of the persons on whom the notice and trustee's reports were served have delivered to the trustee similar written consents and irrevocable waivers.
(F)(1)(a) Any person who was served a notice and trustee's reports that comply with the requirements of this section and who either consented to the proposed trust-terminating distributions or failed to timely provide the trustee a written objection as described in this section is barred from:
(i) Bringing a claim against the trustee for breach of trust as to matters disclosed in the notice and trustee's reports and all other matters pertaining to the trustee's administration of the trust;
(ii) Challenging the validity of the trust.
Such claims shall be barred as described in division (F)(2) of this section.
(b) If all of the terminating distributions necessary parties and all qualified beneficiaries of the trust have been served a notice and trustee's reports that comply with the requirements of this section and have either consented to the proposed trust-terminating distributions or failed to timely provide the trustee a written objection as described in this section, all other beneficiaries of the trust, including persons who may succeed to the interests in the trust of the beneficiaries served, shall be barred as described in division (F)(2) of this section.
(2) The bar of claims under division (F) of this section applies:
(a) To each person barred, the person's personal representatives and assigns, and the person's heirs who are not beneficiaries of the noticing trust;
(b) To the same extent and with the same preclusive effect as if the court had entered a final order approving and settling the trustee's full account of its entire administration of the trust, notwithstanding the limitations periods otherwise applicable under section 5810.05 of the Revised Code.
(G) Any beneficiary who receives trust assets as a result of a trust-terminating distribution described in the notice described in division (B) of this section and who is barred from bringing claims under division (F) of this section may be required to return all or any part of the value of the distributed assets if the trustee determines that the return of assets is necessary to pay, or reimburse the trustee for payment of, taxes, debts, or expenses of the trust, including reasonable expenses incurred by the trustee in obtaining the return of those assets. The beneficiary shall make the return expeditiously upon receipt of a written notice from the trustee requesting the return of all or any part of the value of those distributed assets.
Sec. 5801.23. (A) When a trustee resigns or is removed from an irrevocable trust pursuant to the terms of the trust or otherwise and the departing trustee elects to use the provisions of this section, the departing trustee shall serve on the resignation or removal necessary parties the documents and information described in division (B) of this section. The trustee also may serve those documents and that information on other persons who the trustee reasonably believes may have an interest in the trust. Service shall be made within a reasonable period of time after such resignation or removal.
(B) The documents and information to be served include all of the following:
(1) A written notice, executed by or on behalf of the departing trustee, that includes all of the following information:
(a) The date of the notice, corresponding to the date the notice is being sent;
(b) A description of any terms of the trust or the Revised Code relevant to the resignation or removal of the departing trustee and the provisions, if applicable, regarding the appointment or designation of the successor trustee;
(c) A description of any actions taken by the departing trustee, the beneficiaries of the trust, or other required parties pertaining to the resignation or removal of the departing trustee and, if applicable, the appointment or designation of the successor trustee;
(d) The name and address of the successor trustee, if one has been appointed or designated;
(e) If applicable, a statement confirming the successor trustee's acceptance of the trusteeship;
(f) A description of the trustee succession objection period and the name, mailing address, electronic mail address if available, and telephone number of the person or office associated with the departing trustee to which any written objections should be sent;
(g) A description of the process, described in division (C) of this section, that will be followed if the departing trustee receives no written objections within the trustee succession objection period;
(h) A description of the process, described in division (D) of this section, that will be followed if the departing trustee receives a written objection within the trustee succession objection period;
(i) A statement of the impending bar of claims against the departing trustee, as described in division (F) of this section, that will result if an objection is not timely made;
(j) A statement that the departing trustee may rely upon the written statement of a recipient of the notice that such person consents to the delivery of the net assets of the trust to the successor trustee, or to one or more co-trustees as applicable, and irrevocably waives the right to object to the delivery of the assets and any claim against the departing trustee for matters disclosed in the notice or the trustee's reports served with it and all other matters pertaining to the departing trustee's administration of the trust;
(k) A statement that the departing trustee may complete the delivery of the net assets of the trust to the successor trustee, or to one or more co-trustees as applicable, prior to the expiration of the trustee succession objection period if all of the persons on whom the notice was served deliver to the trustee written consents and irrevocable waivers of the kind described in division (E) of this section;
(l) An exhibit showing the assets on hand at the date the notice is prepared and their respective values as shown in the regularly kept records of the trustee;
(m) An estimate of any assets, income, taxes, fees, expenses, claims, or other items reasonably expected by the departing trustee to be received or disbursed before delivery of the net assets of the trust to the successor trustee, or to one or more co-trustees as applicable, but not yet received or disbursed, including trustee fees remaining to be paid.
(2) One or more trustee's reports covering the applicable reporting period.
(C) If no written objection is received by the departing trustee within the trustee succession objection period:
(1) The notice and trustee's reports served pursuant to division (A) of this section shall be considered approved by each recipient of the notice and reports.
(2) The departing trustee, within a reasonable period of time following the expiration of the trustee succession objection period, shall deliver the net trust assets to the successor trustee or to one or more co-trustees, as applicable.
(3) Any person who was served such notice and reports shall be barred from bringing a claim against the trustee, and from challenging the validity of the trust, as provided in division (F) of this section.
(D)(1) If, after being served the notice and trustee's reports described in division (B) of this section, a qualified beneficiary or any other recipient of the notice wishes to object to matters disclosed in the notice or reports or any other matter pertaining to the departing trustee's administration of the trust, the person shall provide written notice of the objection to the departing trustee within the trustee succession objection period. If the departing trustee receives a written objection within the trustee succession objection period, the departing trustee may do either of the following:
(a) Submit the written objection to the court for resolution. The expense of commencing, conducting, and concluding such a proceeding shall be charged as ordered by the court.
(b)(i) Resolve the objection with the objecting person by accepting a withdrawal of the person's objection or by written instrument, a written agreement as described in section 5801.10 of the Revised Code, or other means.
(ii) Any agreement or other written instrument executed by the objecting party pursuant to division (D)(1)(b)(i) of this section may include a release and a trustee indemnification clause, along with other terms agreed to by the parties. Reasonable expenses related to such written instrument or written agreement shall be charged to the trust.
(2) Within a reasonable time after resolution of all timely objections under division (D)(1) of this section, the departing trustee shall deliver the net trust assets to the successor trustee, or to one or more co-trustees as applicable, subject to any modifications provided for in the terms of the document setting forth the resolution of each such objection.
(E)(1) The departing trustee may rely upon the written statement of a recipient of the notice and trustee's reports served under this section that the recipient consents to, and irrevocably waives the right to object to:
(a) The departing trustee's resignation or removal;
(b) The appointment of the successor trustee, if applicable;
(c) Delivery of the net assets of the trust to the successor trustee or to one or more co-trustees, as applicable.
(2) The statement shall also irrevocably waive any claims against the departing trustee for breach of trust as to matters disclosed in the notice and trustee's reports and all other matters pertaining to the departing trustee's administration of the trust.
(3) The delivery of the net assets of the trust to the successor trustee, or to one or more co-trustees as applicable, may be completed prior to the expiration of the trustee succession objection period if all of the persons on whom the notice and trustee's reports were served have delivered to the departing trustee similar written consents and irrevocable waivers.
(F)(1) Any person who was served a notice and trustee's reports that comply with the requirements of this section and who either consented to the delivery of the net assets of the trust to the successor trustee or one or more co-trustees as applicable or failed to timely provide the departing trustee a written objection as described in this section is barred from:
(a) Bringing a claim against the departing trustee for breach of trust as to matters disclosed in the notice and trustee's reports and all other matters pertaining to the departing trustee's administration of the trust;
(b) Challenging the validity of the trust.
Such claims shall be barred as described in division (F)(3) of this section.
(2) If all of the resignation or removal necessary parties and all qualified beneficiaries of the trust have been served a notice and trustee's reports that comply with the requirements of this section and have either consented to the delivery of the net assets of the trust to the successor trustee or failed to timely provide the trustee a written objection as described in this section, all other beneficiaries of the trust, including persons who may succeed to the interests in the trust of the beneficiaries served, shall be barred as described in division (F)(3) of this section.
(3) The bar of claims under divisions (F)(1) and (2) of this section applies:
(a) To each person barred, the person's personal representatives and assigns, and the person's heirs who are not beneficiaries of the noticing trust;
(b) To the same extent and with the same preclusive effect as if the court had entered a final order approving and settling the departing trustee's full account of its entire administration of the trust, notwithstanding the limitations periods otherwise applicable under section 5810.05 of the Revised Code.
(c) To bar the person from bringing a claim against the successor trustee for failure to object to a matter that is subject to the bar of claims against the departing trustee to the same extent as the bar applies to claims against the departing trustee.
Sec. 5801.24. (A)(1) Division (A)(2) of this section applies if both of the following apply:
(a) A notice and trustee's reports under division (B) of section 5801.22 or division (B) of section 5801.23 of the Revised Code are served upon both of the following:
(i) The personal representative for the estate of a deceased beneficiary of the noticing trust or the trustee of a subtrust that is a beneficiary of the noticing trust;
(ii) One or more beneficiaries of the estate or subtrust whose fiduciary is served.
(b) Both the fiduciary of the estate or subtrust and one or more beneficiaries of that estate or subtrust who are served do either of the following:
(i) Consent to the proposed distributions or delivery of assets described in the notice;
(ii) Fail to object within the applicable objection period.
(2) If the criteria described in division (A)(1) of this section are met, the beneficiary of the estate or subtrust who is subject to the claims bar with respect to the administration of the noticing trust shall be barred to the same extent from bringing a claim against the fiduciary of the estate or subtrust for failure to object to a matter that is subject to the bar of claims against the trustee of the noticing trust.
(B) The notices and trustee's reports served by the trustee of the noticing trust under section 5801.22 or 5801.23 of the Revised Code shall be served on a person by any of the following means:
(1) Handing them to the person;
(2) Leaving them at either of the following locations:
(a) At the person's office with a clerk or other person in charge or, if no one is in charge, in a conspicuous place in the office;
(b) At the person's dwelling or usual place of abode with someone of suitable age and discretion who resides there;
(3) Mailing them to the person's last known address by United States mail, in which event service is complete upon mailing;
(4) Delivering them to a commercial carrier service for delivery to the person's last known address within three calendar days, in which event service is complete upon delivery to the carrier;
(5) Sending them by electronic means to a facsimile number or electronic mail address provided by the person to be served or provided by his or her attorney, in which event service is complete upon transmission, but is not effective if the trustee of the noticing trust learns that they did not reach the person.
(C) No trustee shall request or include a trustee indemnification clause in the notice and trustee's reports served under division (B) of section 5801.22 or division (B) of section 5801.23 of the Revised Code or in any documentation served by the trustee with the notice and trustee's reports. However, in the event such notice and trustee's reports are served and a written objection is received by the trustee within the applicable objection period, a trustee indemnification clause may be included in an agreement or other written instrument executed by the objecting party pursuant to division (D)(1)(b)(i) of section 5801.22 or division (D)(1)(b)(i) of section 5801.23 of the Revised Code.
Section 2. That existing sections 517.23, 517.24, 517.25, 2107.52, 2108.82, 2111.18, 2117.06, 2117.07, and 2131.09 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.