(A) If, within a reasonable time after the appointment of the executor or administrator, no one in authority has taken over the management and rental of any real property of which the decedent died seized, the executor or administrator, or an heir or devisee may, unless the will otherwise provides, make application to the probate court for an order authorizing the executor or administrator to assume those duties. The application shall contain the following:

(1) A brief statement of the facts upon which the application is based and any other pertinent information that the court may require;

(2) A description or identification of the real property and the interest owned by the decedent at the time of death;

(3) The names and addresses, if known to the applicant, of the persons to whom the real property passed by descent or devise.

(B) Notice of the time of hearing on the application shall be given to the persons designated in division (A)(3) of this section, unless for good cause the court dispenses with that notice, and also to the executor or administrator, unless the executor or administrator is the applicant.

(C) If the court finds that the statements contained in the application are true and that it would be for the best interest of those heirs or devisees that the application be granted, it may authorize the executor or administrator to assume the management and rental of the real property.

(D) The court may require bond, new or additional, in an amount to be fixed by the court and conditioned that the executor or administrator will faithfully and honestly discharge the duties devolving from the provisions of this section.

(E) In the exercise of the authority granted under this section, the executor or administrator shall be authorized to do the following:

(1) Collect rents;

(2) From the rents collected:

(a) Pay all taxes and assessments due on the real property, and all usual operating expenses in connection with its management ;

(b) Make repairs when necessary to preserve the real property from waste, provided that an order of the court shall first be obtained if the cost of repairs exceeds one hundred dollars;

(c) Insure buildings against loss by fire or other casualty and against public liability.

(3) Advance money upon an order first obtained from the court, for the repairs, taxes, insurance, and all usual operating expenses that shall be a charge on the real property;

(4) Rent the property on a month-to-month basis, or, upon an order first obtained from the court, for a period not to exceed one year;

(5) Prosecute actions for forcible entry and detainer of the real property.

(F) The executor or administrator shall, at intervals not to exceed twelve months, pay over to the heirs or devisees, if known, their share of the net rents, and shall account for all money received and paid out under authority of this section in the executor's or administrator's regular accounts of the administration of the estate, but in a separate schedule. If any share of the net rents remains unclaimed, it may be disposed of in the same manner as provided for unclaimed money under section 2113.64 of the Revised Code.

(G) The authority granted under this section shall terminate upon the transfer of the real property to the heirs or devisees in accordance with section 2113.61 of the Revised Code, upon a sale of the real property, upon application of the executor or administrator, or for a good cause shown, upon the application of an heir or devisee.

(H) Upon application the court may allow compensation to the executor or administrator for extraordinary services that shall be charged against the rents, and if the rents are insufficient, shall be a charge against the real property.

Upon application the court may allow reasonable attorney fees paid by the executor or administrator when an attorney is employed in connection with the management and rental of the real property that shall be charged against the rents, and if the rents are insufficient, shall be a charge against the real property.

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

Effective Date: 11-09-1959 .