Ohio probate judges will now have bench cards available on a variety of legal issues that come before them.

A quick legal reference to support judges and magistrates, the 16 bench cards cover topics related to estate, adoption, and guardianship law. Copies were distributed today in Columbus at the 2014 Conference of the Ohio Associations of Probate, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Judges, which features a speech from Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor.

Supreme Court staff developed the bench card in cooperation with the Ohio Association of Probate Judges and past president Judge Kathleen L. Giesler of the Ottawa County Probate and Juvenile Court.

“Ohio has 62 combined jurisdictions that preside over both juvenile and probate matters, with a wide range of legal issues that affect children and families,” Judge Giesler said. “The new bench cards will provide us with a tremendous tool to provide comprehensive and timely judicial decisions.”

Additional support for development of the bench cards was provided by Montgomery County Probate Court Chief Magistrate David M. Farmer, former Licking County Probate Court Chief Deputy Clerk Bill Fisher, Cuyahoga County Probate Court Magistrate Roseanne Hilow, Cuyahoga County Probate Court Administrator & Magistrate John R. Homolak, Samuel A. Peppers III of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, Hamilton County Probate Court Chief Magistrate & Administrator Paul D. Rattermann, and Shelby County Probate Court Chief Deputy Clerk Tricia Rosengarten.

View the bench cards.