Upon complaint made to the probate court of the county having jurisdiction of the administration of an estate, a testamentary trust, or a guardianship or of the county where a person resides against whom the complaint is made, by a person interested in the estate, testamentary trust, or guardianship or by the creditor of a person interested in the estate, testamentary trust, or guardianship against any person suspected of having concealed, embezzled, or conveyed away or of being or having been in the possession of any moneys, personal property, or choses in action of the estate, testamentary trust, or guardianship, the court shall by citation or other judicial order compel the person or persons suspected to appear before it to be examined, on oath, touching the matter of the complaint. If necessary , the citation or other judicial order may be issued into any county in the state and shall be served and returned by the officer to whom it is delivered. The officer to whom the process is delivered shall be liable for negligence in its service or return in a similar manner as sheriffs are liable for negligence in not serving or returning a capias issued upon an indictment. Before issuing an extra-county citation or other judicial order, the probate judge may require the complainant to post security with the probate court in an amount and in a form that the probate judge finds acceptable in order to cover the costs of the proceeding under this section, including in those costs a reasonable allowance for the travel expenses of the person or persons against whom an extra-county citation or other judicial order is to be issued. The security may be in the form of a bond, the amount, terms, conditions, and sureties of which shall be subject to the approval of the probate judge.

The probate court may initiate proceedings on its own motion.

The probate court shall promptly proceed to hear and determine the matter.

The examinations, including questions and answers, shall be reduced to writing, signed by the party examined, and filed in the probate court.

If required by either party, the probate court shall swear the witnesses who are offered by either party touching the matter of the complaint and cause the examination of every witness, including questions and answers, to be reduced to writing, signed by the witness, and filed in the probate court.

All costs of the proceedings, including the reasonable travel expenses of a person against whom an extra-county citation or judicial order is issued, shall be assessed against and paid by the party making the complaint, except as provided by section 2109.52 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.52, SB 124, §1, eff. 1/13/2012.

Effective Date: 11-09-1959 .