Ohio Code § 2125.03

§ 2125.03.

(A)(1) The amount received by a personal representative in an action for wrongful death

under sections 2125.01 and 2125.02 of the Revised Code , whether by settlement or otherwise, shall be distributed to the beneficiaries or

any one or more of them.  The court that appointed the personal representative, except when all of the beneficiaries

are on an equal degree of consanguinity to the deceased person, shall adjust the share

of each beneficiary in a manner that is equitable, having due regard for the injury

and loss to each beneficiary resulting from the death and for the age and condition

of the beneficiaries.  If all of the beneficiaries are on an equal degree of consanguinity to the deceased

person, the beneficiaries may adjust the share of each beneficiary among themselves.  If the beneficiaries do not adjust their shares among themselves, the court shall

adjust the share of each beneficiary in the same manner as the court adjusts the shares

of beneficiaries who are not on an equal degree of consanguinity to the deceased person. (2) The court may create a trust for any beneficiary who is under twenty-five years of

age by ordering that the portion of the amount received by the personal representative

for that beneficiary be deposited in trust for the benefit of that beneficiary, until

the beneficiary reaches twenty-five years of age, and order the distribution of the

amount in accordance with the provisions of the trust.  Prior to appointment as a trustee of a trust created pursuant to this section, the

person to be appointed shall be approved by each adult beneficiary and by the guardian

of each minor beneficiary of the trust. (3) The personal representative shall not distribute any amount received in an action

for wrongful death under sections 2125.01 and 2125.02 of the Revised Code to any person in relation to whom the court has entered an order pursuant to division (G)(2) of section 2125.02 of the Revised Code . (B) The court shall distribute the amount of funeral and burial expenses awarded, or

received by settlement, by reason of the death to the personal representative of the

decedent, to be expended by the personal representative for the payment, or as reimbursement

for the payment, of the expenses.