A Lifelong Dedication to Service
Meet Judge Ralph Winkler
Judge Ralph Winkler brings decades of courtroom experience and a steady commitment to serving the people of Hamilton County. As Hamilton County Probate Court Judge, he has presided over matters involving adoptions, estates, guardianships, and other important family issues with fairness, dignity, and respect.
Following a Legacy of Service
Judge Ralph Winkler’s commitment to public service was shaped early in life by the example of his father, Judge Ralph Winkler Sr., who also dedicated his career to the law and the people of Hamilton County. Watching his father serve with fairness, integrity, and respect helped inspire Judge Winkler’s own path to the law, the courtroom, and public service.
That example taught him that being a judge is more than holding an office. It is a responsibility to treat people with dignity, apply the law fairly, and serve the community with humility and respect. Those lessons have guided Judge Winkler throughout his career and continue to shape the way he approaches his work as Hamilton County Probate Court Judge.
Rooted in Cincinnati
Judge Ralph Winkler is a lifelong resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, and his deep roots in Hamilton County have shaped both his life and his career. He understands the people, neighborhoods, and families that make this community strong because this is the community he has always called home.
Judge Winkler and his wife, Teresa, have been married for more than 40 years. Together, they have raised three daughters and are the proud grandparents of seven grandchildren. His commitment to family, faith, and community reflects the same values that have guided his decades of service on the bench.
A Lifetime of Service
Judge Ralph Winkler has dedicated his career to serving the people of Hamilton County. He has served as Hamilton County Probate Court Judge since 2015 and was reelected to a second term in November 2020. Before joining the Probate Court, he served as a Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge in the General Division from 2004 to 2015 and began his judicial career on the Hamilton County Municipal Court in 1999.
Since first taking the bench, Judge Winkler has presided over more than 200,000 legal matters across Hamilton County’s courts. His decades of judicial service have given him extensive experience in a wide range of legal matters and prepared him to continue serving as Probate Court Judge with fairness, care, and steady judgment.
Serving Families with Dignity and Respect
As Probate Judge, Judge Winkler presides over matters involving adoptions, estates, guardianships, mental health, marriage licenses, name changes, and other probate issues. Many of these cases involve families during some of the most meaningful, difficult, or emotional moments of their lives.
One of the greatest honors of Judge Winkler’s career is serving as Hamilton County’s Adoption Judge. He has proudly administered more than 3,000 adoptions, helping bring children, parents, and families together through the creation of forever families. His mission is to ensure that Probate Court provides access to justice with dignity, fairness, and respect for everyone who comes before the court.
Committed to Community
Judge Winkler’s service extends beyond the courtroom. Since 2015, he has supported Wills for First Responders, a program that provides police officers, firefighters, and their families with basic wills, living wills, health care powers of attorney, and other important documents at no cost. Through this work, Judge Winkler has helped more than 4,000 first responders and their families gain peace of mind for the future.
In 2023, Judge Winkler partnered with Hamilton County Recorder Scott Crowley to bring the Good Deeds Program to Hamilton County, helping residents better understand probate issues related to property and asset transfers. He has also been named a “Hometown Hero” by the Colerain Chamber of Commerce, serves on the Board of Directors for Melanoma Know More, sponsors a class through Greater Cincinnati Adopt-A-Class, and remains active in charitable and civic efforts throughout the community.