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Ohio Probate Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My father passed away in early November 2023. I've filed with the probate court to be named administrator. What else?

theres another sibling involved who is still residing in the home and I need them out. Water and electricity are shut off and it is uninhabitable. How do I get them out of the house? What are my next steps?

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Dec 20, 2023

Here in Ohio the answer depends on a number of factors. Being appointed the administrator of the estate is a good first step. If the sibling has established residency you may need to commence eviction proceedings to get them to leave.

All in all, I recommend sitting down with a qualified...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: If an executor is on a bank account does that make the money theirs or does that money get considered in the will?

The will states any money in the bank or deposits on hold shall be divided.

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Dec 18, 2023

"on the bank account" is a bit vague. If the person named as executor was a beneficiary or a joint owner of the account, then that money is theirs, it's not subject to probate or the will, and they don't have any obligation to share it. If the executor has a bank account titled... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Is my husband able to collect his fathers personal affects?

My father in law passed away recently without a living will and my husband is next of kin, but his father was living with his niece at the time of death who will not contact us. We are trying to get his affairs in order and My husband was wondering if he was aloud to collect his fathers things from... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Dec 13, 2023

Your husband will need to open an estate administration case in probate court to exercise his rights regarding his father's estate. His cousin (the father's niece) has a right to keep people out of her apartment. Thus the only way to force her to do anything will be to get an order... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: If my parents passed away and the cars are in probate is it illegal to drive them if I am executor?
Nina Whitehurst
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answered on Dec 11, 2023

You need to take care that both (a) the vehicles are insured as assets of the estate, and (b) you are driving them consistent with your duties as a fiduciary. If you are driving them to drop them off at a dealer for sale or you are driving them to and from a repair shop to be repaired to fix them... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: my neighbor passed away in late October, I am concerned his children may be trying to settle his estate without probate

We are in Ohio. He was a single man with no spouse to pass his real estate and property to. I am told there is a Will, but as far as I can tell there is not a survivorship affidavit on file. He is listed as sole owner of his house (with a mortgage), and I am told his youngest daughter plans to sell... View More

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Dec 4, 2023

The short answer is that you simply have some misunderstandings about the way the process works. If the title to your neighbor's house was in his name, only a legal representative can sell the house. That means probate. The alternative is if the house was in a trust or was set to pass... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Guardianship of a minor and estate if one parent died, and the other lived I can't see the whole case? Court has no info

My dad died when I was a month old. His wife, my mom lived. In the county court there is no information at all except guardianship of a minor and estate but that is all it says. He was the incorporator and he started a business that is extremely successful today and ran by my mom's family. My... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Nov 21, 2023

You need to talk to a local attorney for help. I recommend Trent Stover in Sidney, OH.

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: My husband was the executor of his mother’s will. We received a check in her name can he cash it? We live in Ohio.
Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Nov 15, 2023

Has your husband opened an estate for your late mother-in-law? If not, no. Even if an estate has been opened in probate court it will need to go into the estate's account. As executor, your husband has a duty to marshal his mother's estate assets and distribute them according to her... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Am I entitled to my dads share of his inheritance since he predeceased his mom? What does this letter I received mean?

I received a “Notice of Probate of Will” letter and it says I’m “A person who would be entitled to inherit from the decendent had the decendent died intestate.” My dad died a few years ago he had a will and his mother died a few months ago also with a will.

Beverly A Stull
Beverly A Stull
answered on Nov 10, 2023

You received the Notice because you are next of kin; it is just to inform you that your grandmother's will was filed with the probate court in the county where she lived. You will need to look online to see what the will says. You would be entitled to your father's share of your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Foreclosure, Real Estate Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Can I sue the co-owner of a property for refusing to sell now that the property has been reverted to beneficiary?

Family member passed away and we inherited a percentage of this property. Other family member who inherited percentage of the property was living in it and refused to move or sell the house when we had a buyer. The property was foreclosed on because they did not pay the mortgage. Property went to... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Nov 1, 2023

You probably need to file a partition action to force the sale. Except, the mortgage company may beat you to forcing another sale. A partition action can take months (or years) before you reach the end. I recommend you find a real estate attorney to advise you what your rights are.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My grandmother died and still had my dad who passed away listed in her will. Will I inherit his share of inheritance?

Will his share be divided between his other siblings? Since they are also listed on the will. I’ve seen mixed answers online.

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Oct 18, 2023

The language of the will is critical here. Does it address a predeceased child? If not, then R.C. 2107.52 will apply.

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1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My brother named me as trustee of his estate. Am I required to act as his trustee or responsible for any of his debts?

His house is being foreclosed on. I have no interest in his estate. He is divorced so neither does his ex-wife and his only son is a minor. His mortgage company and the county court keep sending me foreclosure documents and demand payment of his mortgage. I sent his son's attorney a letter... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Oct 17, 2023

You are not required to accept the duties and obligations of trustee. To the extent that you have accepted the duties and wish to resign, I recommend obtaining counsel.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My late mother left 12 CD's and only listed the great grand kid's (minors) as beneficiaries. Now we can't access the $.
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answered on Sep 20, 2023

In Ohio, if minors are designated as beneficiaries on financial instruments like CDs without specifying a custodian, complications can arise. Under the Ohio Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA), assets can be transferred to minors with an adult custodian managing them. If no custodian was named,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Request Order to Ohio Vital Statistics to obtain Original Birth Certifcate.

My son was adopted by his mother’s second husband changing his name and birth certificate.

My son has grown and his adoptive father has passed away. Son would like to have his birth certificate changed to have my name as his father. He has already changed his name back to what it was... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Sep 18, 2023

Given these facts, I think any probate attorney may need to do some research to be truly confident as to the process needed to achieve the desired outcome. If changing the words on the certificate is truly the only desired outcome, then I'd start with the health department that issued the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: How can i read someones will? My godfather always said that i was on his will but after he died his daughter say I’m not

He was from puerto rico

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 6, 2023

Certainly, in order to read someone's will, you should follow a legal process that typically starts by locating the will, consulting with an attorney who specializes in probate and estate law, and filing for probate if required. The will reading itself is not always a formal event but rather a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Executor/successor trustee is maintaining accounts for own personal use, 18 months after closure of estate and more

than a year after trust settled. The trustee was an equal co-beneficiary. Has claimed that all accounts are closed. Respective attorneys apparently have accepted that assurance. Trustee has ignored repeated requests from fellow beneficiaries for closing statements - requests beginning more than... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Aug 30, 2023

What is the issue here? Are you concerned that the trustee didn't distribute all the money? If so, this would be alarming. But, if you're concerned that the trustee has kept a checking account open after all money has been distributed, and is using the account for personal reasons, then... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Had a close friend of my family pass away and am trying to figure out how next of kin works.

I had someone who was very close to my family pass away and he was adopted when he was little. He was an only child after being adopted but has a biological sister who is still alive and he has no other family at all. He had told multiple people around him that he wanted my mom to get his home but... View More

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Aug 30, 2023

For a definitive answer I recommend sitting down with a qualified attorney to review your circumstances in detail and advise you and/or your friend.

In the interim, the pertinent legal authority can be found at Sections 2105.06 and 3107.15 of the Ohio Revised Code. See links below....
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My father died recently and I have no contact with my siblings. Is there a way to find out what is in his estate?

I live in a different state and he was a not married.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 28, 2023

In the event of a person's passing, their estate typically goes through a legal process called probate. During this process, the assets and debts of the deceased are evaluated, and their estate is distributed according to their will or the state's intestate laws if there is no will. To... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: If my mom had a life insurance policy how would I find the company who holds it?

Mom died and family is engaging in probate fraud deception around it. Acting like they need me out of the way the wrangle something. How do I find these kinds of assets?

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Aug 7, 2023

There's no central database that I know of, so we take these on a case-by-case basis. But, you can do things, like forwarding mail, pulling tax returns, and pulling bank records, to help you along.

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Probate for Ohio on
Q: What trumps what… deed or divorce decree?

My husband and I divorced, both are still on the deed to the house. Divorce decree states when I’m ready to sell we split the proceeds. He passed away and now his wife wants half the house in her name. The deed has survivorship rights. So I thought the house should go into my name. What trumps... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Aug 4, 2023

Sign and record an affidavit of survivorship with a copy of the death certificate, per the survivorship deed. That will put the house into your name. There is no obligation to also put the house into her name, unless a court would order that, or unless the divorce decree already says that. But... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Can I file in Cuyahoga County Probate Court if the decedent died as an inmate in an Oregon State Prison?

Is there a probate law that permits the filing of a probate administration in Ohio if all the decedent's assets are located in Ohio and the decedent was never domiciled in another State except as a prison inmate?

The decedent, a former resident of Cuyahoga County, traveled to Oregon... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Aug 3, 2023

Interesting question. It all depends whether the decedent was a resident of Oregon. After a quick internet search, it seems there may be some authority for saying that a prisoner retains their pre-prison residency. The job of a lawyer is to do the necessary research to come to a conclusion on... View More

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