Lake County Court of Common Pleas
 Probate Division

Ted Klammer, Probate Judge 

Lake County
Probate Court
25 North Park Place
Painesville, OH 44077

Phone:      (440) 350-2626
West End: (440) 918-2626
Fax:            (440) 350-2628
West End: (440) 918-2628


Hours of Service:
Monday-Friday
7:30 am to 5 pm*

*Closed on holidays
observed by
Lake County

MINOR SETTLEMENT

Definition of Minor Settlement

When 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. In the settlement, if the ward is a minor, the parent or parents may waive all claim for damages on account of loss of service of the minor, and that claim may be included in the settlement. However, when it is proposed that the claim involved be settled for ten thousand dollars or less, the court, upon application by any person whom the court may authorize the settlement without the appointment of a guardian and authorize the delivery of the moneys to the natural guardian of the minor, to the person by whom the minor is maintained, to the minor himself or to be deposited in a restricted account until majority. The court may authorize the minor or person receiving the money to execute a complete release on account of the receipt. The payment shall be complete and final discharge of any such claim.