Why Is My Parents' Estate Inventory Coming Back Blank in Ohio?
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Reviewed & verified by A. Jason Velez, Esq.*
Managing Attorney, 1LAW · Last reviewed January 1, 2026
Legal Inquiry
Consumer Legal Issue
My sister is the executor, and that part is fine, but I received an inventory and appraisal from her attorney, and all the pages are blank. Isn't she supposed to fill the paperwork out? My parents have houses and vehicles.
Attorney Answer
An inventory that arrives with blank pages is worth following up on right away, since Ohio law requires the executor to actually list and value the estate's assets, not just send a form.
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2115.02, an executor generally must file a complete inventory with the probate court within three months of being appointed, listing the estate's assets, such as real estate and vehicles, along with a value for each. That inventory becomes part of the public probate case file, and any interested party, including you as an heir, has the right to review it.
A blank set of pages usually means one of a few things. Sometimes attorneys send a notice of the upcoming inventory hearing before the actual figures are finalized, especially when real estate needs a formal appraisal first, and that notice can look like an empty form. It's also possible the true inventory simply hasn't been completed and filed yet, even though your sister has already been appointed. Less often, it could be an office error in what was sent to you.
The most reliable way to find out is to check the probate court file directly rather than relying only on what was mailed to you. Many Ohio county probate courts post filings online, and you can also call the clerk's office or visit in person to see whether a completed inventory has actually been filed and what it lists.
What you can do:
1. Contact your sister's attorney directly and ask for a completed copy of the filed inventory, not just the form that was sent to you. 2. Check the probate court's case docket for the estate to see what has actually been filed and when your sister was appointed. 3. If three months have passed since her appointment with nothing filed, you can raise that with the court. 4. If you believe the eventual inventory is incomplete or undervalued once it's filed, Ohio law allows an interested party to formally raise objections with the probate court.
Estate administration issues like this are often resolved by simply getting a clear answer from the attorney or the court, but if your sister or her attorney stays unresponsive, an Ohio probate attorney can press the issue for you. This is general legal information, not legal advice, and a probate attorney can review the actual court file and advise you on your specific situation.
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Courts & Legal Aid in Ohio
- File or look up a case through the Supreme Court of Ohio, which serves the state.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an executor have to file an estate inventory in Ohio?
Ohio law generally requires the inventory to be filed within three months of the executor's appointment. If your sister was appointed longer ago than that with nothing filed, it's worth asking why.
Can I see the estate inventory even though I'm not the executor?
Yes, as an heir you're generally considered an interested party and can review the probate case file, including the inventory, through the probate court's clerk office or online docket if your county offers one.
What can I do if I think the inventory undervalues the houses or vehicles?
Once a real inventory is filed, Ohio law allows an interested party to raise formal objections with the probate court if you believe the values or asset list are wrong. A probate attorney can help you evaluate whether the numbers look accurate before you take that step.
