The Mahoning County Probate Court has a Help Desk available for individuals needing assistance with minor probate issues.  

The Help Desk is meant to provide assistance to individuals needing simple estate transfers, guardianship proceedings and answer questions on probate procedure.  The Help Desk is staffed by local lawyers who are available every Tuesday and Friday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on a first come, first serve basis.  

The Help Desk attorneys cannot assist in the making of a Will, complicated estate proceedings, adoption proceedings or contested matters.  If a specific situation is not within the scope of the Help Desk, individuals will be referred to local lawyers who may be able to help.   

Judge Rusu strongly recommends individuals seek the assistance of their own lawyer and not represent themselves in court.  However, for individuals with minor probate issues and limited resources, they can take advantage of the Help Desk to make the probate process easier and quicker.

There is no charge for using the Help Desk but all court filing fees for the specific pleading are still applicable and will be collected from the filer at the time of filing.  In addition, due to this being a free service and the court having limited resources, individuals will be limited to one (1) visit per case.