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Ohio Probate Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Probate and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: What happens if a house isn't transferred from a deceased's name despite a will and TODD, and the heir only pays bills? Grandfather died in 2019, house still in his name, heir took no action. My dad can transfer to me; what scenario unfolds if he dies?

What happens if a house remains in a deceased person's name when there is a will and a Transfer on Death Deed, but the heir/executor does not file it and still pays the taxes and utilities in the deceased person's name? My grandfather passed away in 2019, and my dad, who is the only child... View More

Bruce Martin Broyles
Bruce Martin Broyles
answered on Mar 21, 2025

Your father needs to take the steps necessary to transfer the house from your grandfather to your father. Transferring the deed on death requires the death certificate, and affidavit to be recorded. Your father should also take the steps necessary for the lender, if any, to recognize your father... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: What happens if a house isn't transferred from a deceased's name despite a will and TODD, and the heir only pays bills? Grandfather died in 2019, house still in his name, heir took no action. My dad can transfer to me; what scenario unfolds if he dies?

What happens if a house remains in a deceased person's name when there is a will and a Transfer on Death Deed, but the heir/executor does not file it and still pays the taxes and utilities in the deceased person's name? My grandfather passed away in 2019, and my dad, who is the only child... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 21, 2025

Your best bet is to file an affidavit of confirmation along with a copy of your grandfather's death certificate with the county recorder's office. That will provide notice that the property is now titled in your dad's name. You will also need to file appropriate documents with the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Mother passed without a will; house and car left, no debts. How to distribute assets in Ohio?

My mother passed away without a will, leaving behind a house and a car, with no known debts. My sister has been residing in the home and managing the property. There are no disputes among family members regarding the estate, and we haven't initiated any legal proceedings yet. How should we... View More

Beverly A Stull
Beverly A Stull
answered on Mar 16, 2025

Unless your mother had beneficiaries on her house and her car, you will have to open a probate estate to distribute the assets. I suggest you contact an attorney who works in probate in the county where your mother lived. They can guide you as to the best time to file, who will need to be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate, Energy, Oil and Gas and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Why wouldn't settlement go to living widow after my father's passing?

My father recently passed away in Ohio, and he was contacted about a settlement related to his father's land with oil rights. There was no will, and my mother has a marriage certificate as his widow. My father had children from a previous relationship, and they are claiming they should split... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 10, 2025

The actual answer is within Ohio's Statute of Descent and Distribution R.C. 2105.06 (C) states that if the person dies the property passes as follows:

"If there is a spouse and one child of the decedent or the child's lineal descendants surviving and the surviving spouse is...
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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Can I cash a back pay check issued to my deceased son's estate in Ohio?

I am the only living relative of my son, who recently passed away. He has a back pay check of $10,400 issued to "the estate of my son." There was no will, and no estate has been formally opened. He lived in Ohio, and his only asset was a car, but he had several debts. I have not filed any... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Feb 27, 2025

Note that creditors have 6 months from the date of death to file a claim against the estate, so discuss with an attorney waiting until then to open the estate and be appointed administrator. But the back paycheck might become stale by then, so as the administrator of his estate, you'd need to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Do we need two probates for property if both parents' names are on deed and they died in Ohio?

My father died 5 years ago, and my mother never had his name removed from the deed to their house. My mom has just passed away. Their joint will directs their wishes, but the deed still has both of their names on it. They both passed away in Ohio. We are unsure about survivorship details on the... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Feb 27, 2025

If there is survivorship language, then no. You can simply file an affidavit of surviving spouse with the recorder's office. This answer does not affect any other property that might have been in his name, which may still need to be probated.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Estate Planning, Probate and Libel & Slander for Ohio on
Q: Assistance with death certificate fraud involving spouse's passing.

I am facing a situation involving potential death certificate fraud. After my husband passed away, I was not contacted by the hospital because his children informed them there was no living spouse. I suspect there may be two death certificates, as he was already at the funeral home before I was... View More

Bruce Martin Broyles
Bruce Martin Broyles
answered on Feb 18, 2025

The idea of two (2) death certificates should be resolved fairly easily by requesting a certified copy of his death certificate from Vital Statistics.

As the surviving spouse you have rights to receive certain assets from the Estate. Any claim the children have should be addressed through...
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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: my mother-in-law passed away and we need her brother to sign saying we get her car. What form in Ohio will he need sign
Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Nov 11, 2024

If you mother-in-law left a surviving spouse, then they can go to the title office and give it to whomever they want. If that is not the case, then you may need to file a release from administration at the probate court. A number of factors can influence this, so I can't go any further.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: My grandmother passed and left her home to my mother and my uncle. My mother has passed as well. I would like to buy

I would like to buy the property from my uncle but need to know what to do to get my mother's name off of the deed or how to move forward

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Nov 8, 2024

If you mother was unmarried, and you are her only child, then you can file an affidavit for transfer and record of real estate inherited. This will transfer her interest to you. Here is a model ford for cuyahoga. You will need a county specific form for wherever the property is located.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Ohio Probate My mom, uncle and aunt inherited my Grandma's house. My uncle died without a will, no kids or wife.

So my mom and aunt inherited his share of the house and his belongings like a new car and other things of value. The house nor his car had not yet been sold when my mom died in June without a will. So my question are me and my siblings legally entitled to her share of the house and of my uncles... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Oct 1, 2024

Yes, you and your siblings could be entitled to something of your mother's estate, depending on whether she has a surviving spouse. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local probate attorney to review the situation and advise you how best to proceed to sort out the estates for both your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: i am a minor in medina county ohio and want to get a legal name change, how does it work? do i need a court date? etc

i’m in medina county ohio and want to know how as a minor i can change my name to align with my gender identity. will i have to go to court and talk to a judge, do i have to do a backrounf check, can passing that make it so i dont have to do a. court hearing? stuff like that

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Sep 30, 2024

Good question! Here's a link to the packet you would need to fill out in Medina County (for reference only) and it does contain some requirements. Looks like the parents must be notified at a minimum and may appear at the hearing to object. Good luck!... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: How can I verify my rights as successor beneficiary of trust if trustee won’t provide copy?

My grandmother died in July and her assets were in a trust. I believe that my father, who died three years ago, is a beneficiary of the trust and I would be a successor beneficiary and may be entitled to his share.

The problem is that, despite multiple requests, the trustee has not provided... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Sep 30, 2024

Beneficiaries are entitled to a copy of the trust instrument, among other things, under Ohio law. If you are having a difficult time with the trustee, then you need to be proactive. This is a common story and the longer you wait the more likely you are to end up with nothing. I recommend getting an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: How to best handle a small estate in Ohio, with only non Ohio heirs?

My mother recently died in Lawrence County Ohio. She has 2 children, myself, a 44 year old Kentucky resident, and my sister, a 49 year old West Virginia resident. Her estate only consists of a 2009 Honda Civic, no other assets, no owed debts. What is our best course of action since neither of us... View More

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Sep 24, 2024

It sounds like the estate may qualify for a simplified proceeding to handle the vehicle. Unfortunately, a Court process is still involved. Depending on what estate documents are in place you may need to retain local counsel to handle the matter for you.

I recommend setting up a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: My mom passed away a couple of months ago. Does her will need to be filed in probate for the contents of her house?

Her house and vehicles had a TOD, bank account was joint with someone else. Her will states that things are to be split equally between the children. Are the house, vehicles and bank account exempt from the will and having to be split? Does her will need to be filed in probate for the contents... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Sep 3, 2024

Assets that have proper TOD designations are not probate assets. Personal property and other accounts or items without TOD could require her estate to be opened to transfer those items. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to consult a local probate attorney who can review the assets with you and advise you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Want dads car but no will. How can i get just his car without taking on all his debt through probate
Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Aug 28, 2024

If he had no will, then someone, usually a family member, must file with the Probate Court to open his estate to legally distribute his car and any other assets to his legal heirs after payment of debts for which proper claims are filed. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to consult a local probate... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Since I live in a state that requires a will be witnessed and it was not do I need to file intestate
Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Jul 9, 2024

Obviously there is no will. But you should consult with an OH attorney to see if probate administration is necessary or not. There are alot of considerations and expenses, and if the assets are not substantial, probate should be avoided.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My little sister born in Iowa and has her entire family in Iowa except a sister who lives in West Virginia.

My little sister moved to Ohio and got married and has been separated from her husband for over 5 years and now her husband is incarserated and has been for 8 years They have a son that is 16 She just recently was in a car wreck that took her life ..and now for next of kin with him in prison should... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on May 20, 2024

Those who paid for her funeral may get reimbursed if they submit a claim before the deadline. But, I'm not aware of an exception to inheritance for incarcerated persons. As such, he will likely be entitled to his share of her estate. The husband should name somebody as power of attorney to act... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My mom died in Ohio and I'm executor in her Will, which doesn't list her mortgage. What happens to it? Probate required?

In Mom's Will, there is no mention of her mortgage or who inherits the house. Neither child wants it. Small, inexpensive estate and we can't find anything on life insurance. Who pays mortgage? Can I as executor sell it? Am I legally still required to pay on the house until it is sold?... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 22, 2024

I'm so sorry for your loss. Dealing with a parent's estate can be complicated, especially when there are outstanding debts like a mortgage. Here's some general information, but I would strongly recommend consulting with a probate attorney in Ohio to get specific legal advice for your... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Was my mother's POD on her bank accounts and TOD on her house. She had no will. My brothers want money from these acc

I did probate a 12,000 car because I did not know the TOD had to be given to title office before death. So they want all the money from the car and each want 1/6 of the bank and house. There was 6 kids but I was her 24/7 care giver they never even talked to her or seen her.thanks

Brenden Patrick Kelley
Brenden Patrick Kelley
answered on Apr 14, 2024

Any accounts with a Payable-on-Death (POD) designation and properties with a Transfer-on-Death (TOD) designation are not subject to probate and will pass directly to the individuals named as designees. Consequently, your siblings would not have any claim to those assets. However, any assets that do... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law, Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My father died in a car accident in August, disinherited my brother and I in his will..

He left everything to my children (two minors ages 8 and 6) to be held in trust until they reach 30 years old. He owns a home which I know he would want to be kept for them. He named a family friend to serve as the Executor of the will and Trustee for the kids. Well we were evicted from the place... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 30, 2024

In your situation, it's crucial to understand that the legal dynamics surrounding estates, trusts, and real estate can be complex, especially when it involves minors and inherited property. Given the urgency of your eviction and the specific circumstances, seeking legal advice from an attorney... View More

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