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Ohio Probate Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: What do I need to do to have a will in summit County,Ohio probated in Alabama?
Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Mar 7, 2023

I encourage you to sit down with a probate attorney. The first question I would ask is why are you seeking to probate the Will? What are the assets, where was the primary residence, were they set to pass through another testamentary mechanism?

At a basic level, if you are looking to find...
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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: What happens when a surviving spouse dies and assets are found from deceased spouse.

Hello my mother was a surviving widow and has now passed away. She died with a will, and left everything to her surviving children. Financial assets have been discovered from my dad who died prior to my mom and without a will. He had other children from (previous marriage) and not all of us... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Mar 7, 2023

A family member will have to apply to the probate court to be administrator of your father's estate. The administrator of his estate will then divide the newly-found assets, first to your mother as his surviving spouse at the time of his death, and then any remainder divided between his... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: What happens if heirs refuse to sign waiver of notice because of stepmother is petitioning for administrix?

My father-in-law passed away and my husband and his brother and sister don't get along with their stepmother. We received a waiver of notice from our local Ohio probate court listing the stepmother as administrix of my father-in-law's estate since he passed without a will. They don't... View More

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Mar 2, 2023

If you don't sign the waiver of notice, then the applicant must send you formal service of process to notify you of the application to administer the estate. You will get a hearing date and have the opportunity to voice your concerns to the judge.

All in all, it sounds like you may...
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1 Answer | Asked in Identity Theft and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Are fiduciaries legally bound to informing the beneficiary/sol heir about everything pertaining to after a death

I'm almost positive that my inheritance was stolen along with a motorcycle and house by means of forgery/fraud since I was not present due to incarceration but I know that things don't add up at all with what he told me up until his death. Im positive a Harley title was forged out of my... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 10, 2023

Yes, your fiduciaries (ie your personal attorneys, accountants, stockbrokers, holders of your signed POAs) have a duty of full disclosure.

In a probate scenario, where you claim to be the sole beneficiary and other family members may have helped themselves, those other family members are...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: I live in Ohio. Tryng to fill out probate papers for deceased brother in NYC. Can someone help/guide us on filling out?

No will was found. Need to transfer next of kin responsibilities from mother to sister. The mother is incapable to handling details and wants to pass on to daughter. We're trying to fill out forms ourselves but having difficulty understanding some of the procedures. We live in Medina, Ohio... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Feb 7, 2023

OH law is different from NY law. You'll need an attorney in NY if that is where your brother lived. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local NY probate attorney who can review all the information, fill out all the NY probate documents properly, file them with the court, file any tax... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My children were born at home in the US (Ohio). How can I get birth certificates for them?

Unassisted home birth, no medical records. Baptismal records exist. More than 1 year since birth.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jan 22, 2023

Please follow the steps below to file the certificate:

Download and fill out the New Born Birth Certificate Packet

Gather required documentation. See page 1-9 of the New Born Birth Packet

Contact the Vital Statistics Registrar at (513)732-7499 to schedule an appointment to...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: OH TOD deed to one person, then a new TOD deed to another but that one was revoked. Is the first one still valid?

My great aunt signed a TOD deed on her home and my mother was the beneficiary. Later my great aunt signed another TOD deed with her neighbor as beneficiary, but then revoked the TOD deed to the neighbor several years later. Is the one to my mother still valid if it was never revoked? What if a... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Dec 22, 2022

It depends on how each was worded and if they were properly executed and recorded. They would have to be reviewed by an attorney to give an accurate answer. A properly worded, executed, and recorded TOD affidavit would take precedence over a different designation in a will. Use the Find a Lawyer... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: OH TOD deed to one person, then a new TOD deed to another but that one was revoked. Is the first one still valid?

My great aunt signed a TOD deed on her home and my mother was the beneficiary. Later my great aunt signed another TOD deed with her neighbor as beneficiary, but then revoked the TOD deed to the neighbor several years later. Is the one to my mother still valid if it was never revoked? What if a... View More

Moshe Toron
Moshe Toron
answered on Dec 22, 2022

As a general rule, a new TOD designation affidavit revokes the old TOD designation affidavit , regardless of whether it says so on the new TOD designation affidavit or not.

Therefore, it is very possible that the property will go to the person named in the will.

Having said that,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: TN resident questions regarding OH Probate

TN resident with all next of kin (NOK) in OH. One OH NOK passed away with a will completed/signed but unable to be witnessed. All surviving NOK were aware of this will and want to abide by their NOK wishes. TN NOK was sole beneficiary. Will OH probate accept this will as valid if all surviving... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Nov 30, 2022

The will is invalid under OH law. Luckily, it seems like the family are all on the same page so the issue 'can' be resolved. I recommend finding a local attorney to help. You may need some waivers/disclaimers/deeds signed by the family. Use the Find A Lawyer tab above.

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My grandmother gave her house to her first born grandchild without a will just word of mouth. My father was suppose to

Inherit some land but has passed away. The land would have gone to my mother who also passed away. My cousin wants my siblings and myself to sign a deed gift receipt so she can own the land free and clear (she said a surveyor determined the land my father would have received and her house have been... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 30, 2022

If grandmother, father and mother all have passed away, and their estates were not submitted to the probate court in the county in which each lived, and because they owned real estate, then that is a big mess that will require an attorney to help sort it all out by opening the estate of each with... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: to contest a will does it need to be probated first?

will changed after many yrs and just 10 mo. prior to mothers death and mother was in a very vulnerable position with monies, travel to Dr. visits, food etc and older son had just had stroke 2 months before the will change and younger son took advantage of this.

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 28, 2022

To open an estate, the executor named in the will should file it with the court and must give notice to all the next of kin that it has been filed, and then family members can contest the will if they have suspicions. If the named executor doesn't open the estate, any other family member can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Ward has full guardianship in MI, small Tribal stipend once a year, Need guardian of person and estate or both in OH?

Incapacitated Ward under Full guardianship (person/estate) in Michigan has been moved to Ohio nursing home long term care on full Medicaid/Medicare. I made the facility rep payee for SS check. Ward has one monthly bill, and basic needs/care (clothing, personal items) managed by guardianship now.... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Nov 23, 2022

You may be required to 'transfer' the guardianship to the Ohio court. The Michigan court no longer has jurisdiction and may not be able to terminate the case unless it is being transferred. You bring up a couple other complicated issues. I recommend seeking counsel in the county in which... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: I received a check from my deceased husband's pension, to the estate of his name. I'm his beneficiary .

What do I do with the check. He had no will. His two children are grown adults. We owed nothing as far as property or vehicles or financial accounts. Desperate in akron,ohio

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Oct 27, 2022

I recommend contacting the pension company to see how things were set up. If you are indeed the beneficiary, then the bond company will usually re-issue the check in your name. On the other hand, if you are not the beneficiary on the account, then the check is an estate asset and you need probate... 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: Do you all handle any probate issues, next of kin is a 7 year old being fought by deceased half sister?

My fiancé of 7+ years and I have one son together it’s his only child he is only 7 we have lived together the majority of those years and everything we have was in his name he had a heart attack and passed away and now unfortunately my fiancés half sister wants to fight over property and... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Apr 15, 2024

All his assets go to his child. You better find a way to get an attorney. His stepsister isn't entitled to anything here.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My mom passed away recently. I was on her bank account as POD and listed as TOD on her home, which is now in my name.

I have since closed the bank account but now I am trying to buy her vehicle that she owed $8000 on before her death. When I file probate paperwork (I’m executor of the estate) to try and get the car, do I need to list all of her assets like the house and money that was in her account even though... View More

Beverly A Stull
Beverly A Stull
answered on Mar 7, 2024

You only list those assets that are probate assets. Anything passed by a TOD or POD or a joint owner is not a probate asset.

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Hello, My son recently passed away without a will and we need to start probate. What are the first steps?

He was not married but had a partner of 12 years. They have an 11 year old son. We are just not sure where to turn.

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Feb 23, 2024

The son will probably inherit any probate assets. You should probably talk to an attorney to make sure the interests of the son are secured and protected.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Documents were falsified after my father died this year. I have since been cut out of all my father’s assets.

My step mom claimed she was my biological mother on court documents so that she would not have to share his assets with me. She then claimed he had no belongings so that she could avoid probate court entirely. What she did claim he had was only $4,000 worth. I would like to know if I have any... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Feb 22, 2024

Fraud can be reported to the court. I recommend having an attorney. The cost/benefit analysis is always important here because it costs money and time to convince the court that a fraud occurred.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Sister was removed as guardian d/t malfeasance. Can our family forgo guardianship and return to my power of attorney?

My sister was removed as guardian recently. I was the power of attorney before her guardianship. We have had many issues with the courts and feel it is too expensive and time consuming. Is it possible to re-enact the power of attorney document or should I apply for guardianship?

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Feb 21, 2024

If the POA is durable, then you may be able to terminate the guardianship due to there being a less restrictive alternative available. I recommend asking your attorney about this.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate and Small Claims for Ohio on
Q: If I missed filing probate for my father's things can I take someone to small claims court?

My father died about 31yrs ago. At the time I didn't know probate law the way I know it now so I didn't know that I only had a certain amount of time to get my father's things. His girlfriend at the time was upset because she found out he was cheating on her when he had an aneurysm... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
Nicholas P. Weiss pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 14, 2024

There is almost no chance of you recovering his belongings after 31 years of no action.

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