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Questions Answered by Todd B. Kotler
2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: My house is contingent on me finding a house. We have made an offer on a house and they accepted.

But then my realtor told me that if the new home does not appraise for what the offer was

I still have to go through with the sell of my home. That leaves us without a home. Is this so

That I have to go through with the sell.

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Apr 18, 2024

Well it sounds like this might be the case, there's really no substitute by for investing in the time of an attorney to actually review the language of the agreement about what you're talking. It's the contract for sale of the home and your agreement with the realtor that's... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: I have parenting issue with ex spouse with mental illness. He was been non compliant . He wants to modify the agreement.

When he doesn't agree with we agreed to, he's constantly is wanting to change things. We both are supposed to have an ROR, which includes talking to the psychiatrist and or doctors. I agreed to be transparent about my medical health, even though i do not have any psychotic disorders. He... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Apr 11, 2024

I don't see a specific question here. It sounds like you may wish to either file a motion to enforce your present agreement, or in the alternative terminate your agreement in favor of you having custody reserving visitation to the other parent. It sounds like you may wish to have a Guardian ad... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law and Juvenile Law for Ohio on
Q: My 5th grader, has been suspended with recommendation for expulsion. How to we prepare for the expulsion hearing?

My son is an 11 year old 5th grade. He made verbal threats about harming/killing 6 students in his class to his guidance counselor. He has been suspended for 10 days with the recommendation for expulsion. I have no idea how to prepare for the hearing. I don't even know what questions to ask a... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Apr 3, 2024

What you should truly do is seek out an attorney who has both some criminal defense experience, and education law experience. Your question doesn't state whether or not this student has a 504 plan or an IEP. If either of the is the case, then you need to make sure that the school is conducted... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Adoption for Ohio on
Q: Hi, id like find out if it's possible to adopt my two step kids.

I have three kids (one biological, 2 step), my step kids are 12 and 6, and there biological father has hardly been in there lives. My wife has full custody, and he's court ordered to pay child support. He's paid child support one time in 9 months (December 2023 was the last time and... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 31, 2024

The biological father must agree to the adoption under these circumstances. I he goes 1 year with providing support or contacting the children (without interference from you or your wife) you may be able to move forward without his consent. You should contact a family law attorney who also does... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Ohio on
Q: If the Petitioner reaches out and talks to the Respondent on the phone, can the Petitioner get in trouble?

Is it souly on the Rspondent to advoid these calls or can both be charged and arrested ?

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 31, 2024

Protection orders restrain the respondent, rather than the petitioner. I agree with my colleague, while the petitioner will not get in any kind of legal trouble, it will undermine their ability to maintain the order or in the event that it's only a temporary order and there's an upcoming... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Can i move states with my child without the fathers permission?

My childs father does not have sole custody and he does have to pay child support. There is no custody or visitation order through court but i do let him see his son on the weekends if hes not busy so its not a guaranteed every weekend. He is on the birth certificate so he is the established... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 30, 2024

If there truly is no custody order, parenting plan or visitation order on the record, and assuming you and father were never married, you may move. He has the right to file a motion to establish his rights however. You would be best served by investing in an attorney in the county in which you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: Using a residential lease nonrenewal to retaliate in Ohio. Is there anything I can do?

I sued my landlord for unconscionable clauses in a lease and they are retalitating by not renewing my lease. The landlord kept increasing charges in the middle of yearly leases. I told them its illegal in Ohio w/o an addendum that both parties agree on. I took them to court but as a pro se... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 30, 2024

Not a darn thing. There is nothing in the law that compels a person to renew a lease once the term is ended. Leases are at their core, contracts. Alternatively, they could agree to renew but at a greatly inflated rate. There would be nothing to stop that either,

3 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: What can I file against a Writ of Possession in Ohio? Is it legal to evict when there's a disabled child in home?

I made a verbal agreement with an overseer of rental property about 6-8 years ago. Since then they have passed away. I wasn't able to make contact with the physical owner due to not living in the same state. I went to court in June 2023 for eviction and won. Went back two more times and lost... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 28, 2024

The landlord or owner of the property cannot evict you because there is a disabled person living there, if the tenant is otherwise in default they certainly may evict for the breach of the landlord-tenant agreement. The lawyer has a breach of the attorney client privilege if they did work for you.

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights and Education Law for Arizona on
Q: If my child has disability and is placed in an Emotional Disturbance program, can they be excluded from School Trips?

If my child has been diagnosed with a learning disability as well as an Emotional Disturbance, can a school than keep my child from attending assemblies, school activities, field trips and even vocational training? If they are being put in Special education because of the disability, so they can... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 28, 2024

Generally they should not be excluded. The school ought to make reasonable accommodations so the student may participate in the full range of activities along with the typical peers. Make sure you include language like this in written communication with the school and ask what accommodations they... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: My wife had multiple allegations of drug abuse cop showed up CPS showed up we didn't answer the door got their card

Called them back they said an appointment else for the community take a drug test we went in took a mouth swab we told him THC would be the only thing and that the allegations will be over with now they're telling me they want to talk to my kids and see my home the allegations were made were... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 28, 2024

They cannot compel you or your kids to talk with them. The risk you run is that they will construe everything that occurs from that point afterwards with an eye towards your being uncooperative. It will not stop them from having increased scrutiny upon you, and talking to everyone you know and all... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law for Ohio on
Q: my wife had allegations fro family member that we were using multiple drugs and only failed for weed what can CPS do

Now we said the aligation r over with weed is legal we failed for nothing else what's next step

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 28, 2024

A child welfare protection agency has broad powers. Depending on what else they find in their investigation, they do have the ability to either enact a safety plan with a family means that they will have increased scrutiny upon the family, file a complaint with the local juvenile court for... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Ohio on
Q: I want shared custody of my daughter but her mother won't do mediation. What can I do next?

I got to see my daughter twice for 3 hours in a year. We tried mediation and her mother didn't want to continue it. The magistrate said my options were to go to trial or get a lawyer? I'm not sure what each mean and what to do. I have another court date on April 23 at 1 pm.

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 28, 2024

Mediation is merely voluntary negotiations. This means that if the parties don't agree, as is your case the matter must be decided by the court. Courts decide matters by holding trials. If you truly want shared custody you need to invest in hiring a lawyer to represent you in court. Look... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Domestic Violence and Family Law for Georgia on
Q: Can I terminate parental rights of my ex-husband who has not paid child support and over a year?

I have sole legal custody and physical custody of my children. my ex-husband is not allowed to contact us and I have a restraining order. Can I terminate parental rights? he also has not paid child support and over a year due to being incarcerated on domestic violence charges against me. What can I... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 26, 2024

Well it sounds like your ex-husband was abusive to you and a terrible spouse, I am not seeing why a court would at this point terminate his parental rights. By your own account he's not permitted to contact you. Does this extend your child? What rights can he presently exercise while he is in... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Is it possible to kick an ex out of our house and off the deed/mortgage?

We live together in Ohio and have one minor child and are not married and never were. My ex refuses to leave and also will not pay the mortgage (his agreed half of the bills when we bought the home).

How can I get my EX name off the property since I have been the only one paying the... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 25, 2024

What you want to do is not impossible. It is however highly improbable. What you will need to do as file and action called partition period you should seek out attorney who regularly practices real estate law in your county. It would be better still if that attorney practices family law. You only... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: My husband is only one on deed to our home He is refinancing and is the borrower Why do I need to sign

I don’t want any responsibility as we are close o divorce

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 22, 2024

In Ohio, dower is the right of a spouse to one-third of their deceased spouse's real estate, including the right to live on the property and receive rent or profit from it (contingent upon one spouse surviving the other). Dower rights are intended to protect spouses who don't own the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Education Law and Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: Excessively Large Timeframe for Maintenance

I am living in university housing at a private institution in Ohio, where we received this notice: "The [university's] lock shop will be performing preventative maintenance on the apartment entry door hardware between 3/25/24 and 4/19/24. The tech will knock and let anyone home know he... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 21, 2024

There is nothing in the Ohio landlord tenant statute that speaks specifically to this. There may be case law that defines exactly what reasonable notice is but typically that would focus on the definition of "emergency". What you have described seems like a good faith effort on the part... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Education Law for Illinois on
Q: Can my high functioning, 10 year old son, w/Down syndrome be denied general education classes & a 1-1 aide in school?
Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 13, 2024

In a word "yes"! It is the demonstrated needs of the child, rather than a diagnostic label that drives what services he or she receives as part of an IEP. If you plan to make an argument that he should receive a 1 to 1 aide, then you need to be able to point to the collected data (from... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody and Child Support for Ohio on
Q: In the state of Ohio can your friends parents kick your friend out when 18 and still in high school(current junior)?
Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Feb 26, 2024

Tricky question. Technically a parent has an obligation to parent a child until they emancipate. That usually happens when the child is both 18 AND a high school graduate. This may be further complicated if a parent is receiving child support on behalf of that child. This question does not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: My neighbor has a situation. She has her children living with her but her ex husband still has an order for child

Support that she needs to have changed in the court system. She can't afford a lawyer and I don't think our area legal aid handles these cases anymore. Any advice or help for her appreciated.

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Feb 25, 2024

She and the ex need to file a joint entry (with the judge's signature) modifying the parenting plan to reflect this new situation. Once that is in place she needs to contact CSEA and provide a certified copy of the filed entry to them requesting the modification of the support award.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Started common law marriage in Montana moved to Ohio and continued filing all taxes as married 15 years total.

Also recieved medicaid for our children as married in both states. Gave wife wedding rings. Joint bank accounts and shared property. We are now seperated for 4 years. We lived together had implied agreement through filing taxes state and federal as married in Montana for 7 years and continued the... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Feb 22, 2024

In order to fully answer this question, one would need to know whether or not the couple described map of the criteria for common law marriage in Montana when they moved to Ohio. Ohio has not recognized common law marriage (within the state) since 1990. If, however, the couple met all the criteria... View More

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