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Ohio Probate Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: I went to probate and got a motion to release info signed by judge. Bank wouldn’t take it and said acc under

Legal investigation Can they do that. And what do I do now

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Sep 14, 2021

You could file a motion to show cause why they bank should not be held in contempt for violating the court order.

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Our attorney in Ohio just sent us a $48,000 bill for settling my brother's estate. looks excessive. do i have recourse?

The estate is around $800,000. It has been over a year and a half and according to him it is still not settled!

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Sep 13, 2021

You can't simply base whether the fee is reasonable on the amount of the fee vs. the total estate. Was the executor involved in litigation or any other controversies? Does this court have a local rule allowing the attorney a percentage of the assets? Was the attorney acting as executor?

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: How can I keep my deceased Mother's house from being taken by Medicaid Estate Recovery in Ohio?

My wife, kids, and I live in my Mother's house. She passed away in April 2021 without a will and probate hasn't been started yet. We received a letter from the Ohio Attorney General stating that she owes $74,000 for Medicaid Estate Recovery. I'm assuming they'll put a lien on... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Sep 7, 2021

This is a very good question. If you are disabled, then you may be able to stay in the house. If not, then another option is to negotiate with Medicaid and they may take a lower amount in exchange for not having to foreclose. Either way, you should probably get an experienced attorney involved who... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Do I need a lawyer if im the closest living relative and my dads house is morgaged out and the car is a lease.

No will just tools and household goods. No life insurance. Im selling his things to pay for funeral and burial.

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Aug 26, 2021

You need to go through probate. As it stands you do not have the legal authority to sell your father's tools and household goods. Doing so now can expose you to criminal and/or civil penalties. It's not necessarily about needing a lawyer, although you probably do, it's about doing... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Probate: Can I hire an attorney from outside of the county the probate was filed? How are probate attys paid?

Executor has withheld her husband from most of his family years before he passed, cut off ties, likely blocked phone numbers, moved him to Florida. Will was suddenly changed 7 months before his passing. It excludes 5 out of 6 of his children. Will prior to executor meeting husband, still exists,... View More

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Aug 13, 2021

To answer your question, yes you can hire an attorney who's office is outside the County probate was filed in. I would however, encourage you to find an attorney who practices in that County as each county Probate Court has their own rules and nuances. The other thing I will say is that... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My God daughter's parents would like to name me as a stand by guardian in case they become incapacitated or die.

Both parents both children and myself live in Montgomery County Ohio. It looks like we want the designation of guardian form according to revised code 2111.121 written out with 2 witnesses and a notary public. I want to know if we're on the right track.

I did try contacting the... View More

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Aug 12, 2021

In short, yes you're on the right track. You may want to contact the probate court clerks in Montgomery County. Each county is different, and some have specific documents for you to complete. The Court clerks can usually assist you or point you in the right direction.

Best of luck.

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Should my sister sign a waiver giving permission for her uncle to handle his late brother's estate

My sister is a part of that estate

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Aug 5, 2021

It's hard to "un-sign" a waiver. So, I suggest she talk to counsel first.

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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My Father passed away last year after a long stay in a nursing home in Ohio. What do I do with his truck?

The only thing that would go through probate if I were to file would be his truck. No other assets. His wife is deceased. House was foreclosed on. Bank account empty. There is no will. If I were to file in Probate Court as a Small Estate, and notify Medicaid in the process, would they come after... View More

Moshe Toron
Moshe Toron
answered on Aug 4, 2021

If the truck is worth less than $5,000 and you paid for the funeral and the funeral cost more than the value of the truck, then you can file for a Summary Release from Administration and Medicaid does not need to be informed or paid back.

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: My mother gave me her home before she passed. As next of kin and owner do I own the contents of the home?

Her trust is still in probate so I wasn’t sure if I could move furniture out. Nobody in the family wants it.

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Aug 2, 2021

The contents of the home and the home itself are separate. The home passed outside of probate and the contents pass through probate unless some mechanism was used so the contents could avoid probate...like a trust. If the estate is open, then contact the administrator/executor, preferably their... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in International Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My Canadian husband died intestate in Ohio. I'm a US citizen. We had no children. He has 1 adult child in Canada.

His Canadian estate consists of the contents of a storage container of household goods in BC and stock in a Canadian company at the time of his death. He was a resident of BC prior to joining me in Ohio. He did not own any vehicles, bank accounts or real estate in Canada. His US estate consists of... View More

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Jul 21, 2021

A detailed analysis of all the pertinent facts is necessary before anyone can give you a definitive answer. I recommend sitting down with a probate attorney in your area for a full consultation.

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Father passed no will no spouse. My bro in same state as Dad. I live diff state. How protect my inheritance rights?
Theodore David Vicknair Sr.
Theodore David Vicknair Sr.
answered on Jul 20, 2021

I would talk to an Ohio attorney about beating your brother to the punch to get appointed as Administrator of the estate. In my state, Louisiana, you and he would have equal preferenced in right to be appointed. Ohio may have a statute that provides that a local person living in the state has a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Business Law, Civil Litigation and Probate for Ohio on
Q: I lived with my fiancé for 17 years. We ran a business together out of the house for the last 11 years. She died.

She left the house to her sister. I knew that. However, they took the business name and accounts and took control of the business PO Box and all incoming checks and entered them into probate in Greene Co. Ohio. I subsequently had to file all necessary paperwork and obtain a new federal EIM and new... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Jul 19, 2021

If there is an operating agreement or partnership agreement for the company, you could make a claim for your share of the ownership. If any of your personal property was removed from the house, you could make a claim for return of that. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local attorney to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Can I file probate claim if I'm the only child of record, but I live in another state?

If my father passes without a will, I'm worried that I will not be able to do anything because I live in PA. His sister and i are the only remaining, close blood relatives. My aunt lives in Ohio. Would it fall to her or me?

Moshe Toron
Moshe Toron
answered on Jul 4, 2021

If he is not married and you were his only child (i.e. he had no other living or deceased children) then you are entitled to his entire probate estate, if he had no will.

However, certain assets may have passed directly to your aunt or others, if they were named on his bank account or life...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI and Probate for Ohio on
Q: What if I am on probation and condition of my probation is to not drink alcohol and I get in a car accident drunk

Before this I was on probation and broke it for getting a DUI and went to jail for one year then got on probation again this time and for the first time broke it by testing positive for alcohol and then got in the accident the next day in geauga county

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Jun 21, 2021

You are subject to the same maximum penalties as you were for the original charge. Every time you violate probation the punishment typically increases. What should you do? Hire an attorney to get you the best possible resolution. Don't expect a miracle with these facts however.

1 Answer | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: Probate has been open for three years. Executor is also beneficiary. House was never itemized.

Claims the estate is 45,000 but that was the realtor quote. The estate lawyer is also pushing this. Estate lawyer sent me papers on the executors behalf telling me to pay her 20,000 for what she's paid or she will give me and my siblings a few more hundred dollars to sign off. Two years ago we... View More

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Jun 15, 2021

From the facts provided it sounds like there are a lot of moving parts to this situation. The devil is in the details unfortunately, and a more detailed analysis needs to be done to determine what actions you can/should take. I recommend sitting down with a probate attorney in your area to review... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Banking, Probate, Business Law and Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: Mark&Mary were together for years had a child. Marks parents pass small business down to them in marys name cuz he owes

Taxes. He counties to run company. They have a business bank account that he was on originally she was added to later. Bank says they are both equals on that account. Does he have rights to that money after she passes and business becomes shut down.

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Jun 15, 2021

Additional facts are needed to answer this question. Much depends on how the bank account was set up. Who is the actual owner, who are the authorized users? Are there survivorship rights (if applicable), what do the company documents say? (articles of incorporation or Operating Agreement for a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Probate and Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: My dad died and left me his house.. My mother is trying to take it.. Will she get it??

My dad just died on the 23rd of this month.. He left me his house and called his attorney to put it in the paper work.. My mother left him.15 yrs ago n now sleeps with and lives with another man..my dad really didnt want her to have anything.. The last 2 yrs of his life im all he had.. My husband... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on May 27, 2021

If your father did not complete the paperwork to transfer the house to you, then as his spouse, your mother could inherit the house. She could file to handle his estate in probate, and could evict you and your husband. Talk to your father's attorney to find out what paperwork there is, or... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: I lived with this man for 27 years and he just passed away his daughter is trying to take the house can she

My son is still living in the house we had it up for sale and his daughter wants us out and take it from me can she do that

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on May 24, 2021

If he did not have a will giving you the house, or if you are not a joint owner on the deed, or if he did not record a transfer deed or affidavit for the house giving it to you, then the house would likely pass to his spouse or children according to Ohio law. The heirs can file to open his estate... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Civil Litigation and Probate for Ohio on
Q: In a case where the plaintiff, a beneficiary, filed against the new co-trustees since the original trustee resigned upon

Breach of duty since an accounting had never been provided in 1st trust of several yrs the 2nd trust also. The B O Duty against the orig trustee was asking for accountability of missing assets was denied in the hearing since the trustee resigned. The co-trustees in turn sold property of the trusts... View More

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on May 24, 2021

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. On review of your facts, I do not see a question being asked. Trusts were originally based on the law of contracts. While some statutes govern general principles of Trust management etc., the specific provisions of the Trust can sometimes... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Ohio on
Q: My mom passed no will. Her house was in a reverse mortgage She has little money in frozen bank acct. What do i do?
Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on May 14, 2021

If the mortgage exceeds the value of the house, then the bank would get the house. There might not be anything for you to do. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local probate attorney to review the situation and advise you if you need to do anything.

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