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Ohio Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
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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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Does a Trust have to be created in the state of residency or could it be in the state where you own real assests?

I have had 2 OH lawyers say that an OH lawyer has to create my Trust since I reside in OH, but I own several rental properties and a second home in TN. The TN lawyer said he absolutely can create my trust.

Does one state trump the other or is it a free for all?

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Apr 22, 2024

You can probably use an attorney in either state. I would defer to your state of residency, though, since other assets could end up in the trust. Further, you may want a will that addresses your trust and the TN lawyer cannot draft a will for an OH resident. Location of the successor trustee(s) and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Does a Trust have to be created in the state of residency or could it be in the state where you own real assests?

I have had 2 OH lawyers say that an OH lawyer has to create my Trust since I reside in OH, but I own several rental properties and a second home in TN. The TN lawyer said he absolutely can create my trust.

Does one state trump the other or is it a free for all?

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Apr 23, 2024

Both Ohio and Tennessee are part of the Uniform Trust Code. That means that a trust in either state will be enforceable in the other, so it doesn't really matter who drafts. There may be other planning reasons to stick with an Ohio lawyer, but it's not this one.

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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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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.

Bruce Martin Broyles
Bruce Martin Broyles
answered on Apr 18, 2024

The answer to your question requires a review of your contract to sell your home. The sale of your home is conditioned upon you finding a new home. The language of that condition will be the key to determining your rights. "It is contingent on me finding a house." Any house, a house... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: I sold my condo and moved in with my Dad to take care of my Dad for six years. When he passed I stayed in the Condo and

My sister and I now own the condo. I still live here but now my sister refuses to pay her half of the taxes. I pay my half, HOH fees and all improvements and updates. If I don't pay her half can I be responsible

Nicholas P. Weiss
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answered on Apr 5, 2024

Yes. You are jointly responsible for all fees.

On the other hand, you live there, she doesn't. You are getting all of the benefit of the condo.

If you really don't like the arrangement, you can try to buy each other out or do a sale by partition if you can't agree.

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: What happens if someone breaks a real estate contract/intent to sell contract? What are my options

I'm in the process of buying a home from a less than friendly seller (who lives in another house elsewhere). In late Feb 2024 the two of us met to sign a contract which stated his intent to sell me the property, the price, and some other minor details. He hired the lawyer who wrote it up, we... View More

David H. Relkin
David H. Relkin
answered on Apr 3, 2024

It depends on the contract. The escrow deposit is generally forfeited to the seller if the buyer doesn't close on time or apply for a mortgage quickly enough. But, as the buyer, your next step is to schedule a new date to close by and make the date "time of the essence." This will... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate Law and Municipal Law for Ohio on
Q: What can I do about a shared driveway owner that won't maintain it?

I am not the owner of a shared driveway. The driveway owner doesn't maintain it and at times it gets almost unusable, until I call and pay someone to have it graded, which is basically just a band aid to make it usable.

Also, the driveway is approx. a quarter mile long.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 1, 2024

In a situation involving a shared driveway where the owner is not properly maintaining it, you have a few options to address the issue:

1. Communicate with the owner: Try to have a friendly conversation with the driveway owner about the maintenance issues. Explain your concerns and see if...
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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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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Does Regulation Z's Ability-To-Repay Rule to Certain Situations Involving Successors-in-Interest apply to my sister?

My mother died and there is a Transfer on Death affidavit so my sister gets the house. There is still a mortgage on the house. Can my sister be added to the mortgage without having the Ability-To_Repay rule be applied? That is, can she be added without looking at her credit history? We did not... View More

Bruce Martin Broyles
Bruce Martin Broyles
answered on Mar 28, 2024

Once the lender verifies that the person is a bona fide successor in interest there is not supposed to be any inquiry into the successor in interest's finances.

The CFPB issued an interpretation in 2014 stating:

the creditor's written acknowledgement of the successor as...
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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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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

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Mar 29, 2024

You'll need to talk to an attorney ASAP if you are being required to vacate by this weekend. Whether or not the writ was signed or has different dates, the sheriff could show up to execute on it and allow the landlord's moving crew to enter and remove all your belongings out to the curb.... View More

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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

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 30, 2024

Facing a Writ of Possession in Ohio, you have a few potential options to consider. Firstly, if the writ contains discrepancies, such as varying dates and lacks a judge's signature, you may be able to challenge its validity in court. It's also crucial to look into filing a motion to stay... 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

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Mar 22, 2024

In Ohio, spouses have marital rights (called "dower rights") in all the real estate owned by the other spouse, whether their name is on the deed or not. So when selling or mortgaging any real estate, both the owner named on the deed, and the owner's spouse, must sign. The spouse... View More

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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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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Real Estate Law and Contracts for Ohio on
Q: I need to get out of a commercial lease
Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Mar 20, 2024

Talk to the landlord to negotiate an early termination, although landlord is under no obligation to do so. Landlord might ask for a payment. If landlord is in default of the lease, then use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local real estate attorney to review the lease and the situation, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Land Use & Zoning for Ohio on
Q: What trespass and 4th amendment rights do residents in an HOA with "common" and "limited common" elements possess?

Each resident has ownership only over the interior of their unit. Each unit has a rear patio deemed a "limited common element", the use of which is reserved to that owner. All other property is considered a "common element." Each unit also has two reserved parking spaces, though... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 1, 2024

Residents within an HOA with "common" and "limited common" elements typically have certain trespass and Fourth Amendment rights. The rear patio designated as a "limited common element" would likely be considered part of the curtilage, affording residents Fourth... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: do I have to have a survey done to buy partial of a property through a private sale?

I have a family member who owns 2acres and he’s selling me 0.7ish acres which is grass and some trees. To purchase that through a private sale, do I have to have a survey done on the property before purchasing or can I purchase legally without a survey?

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Feb 1, 2024

Any new lot split must typically be surveyed by a professional land surveyor. You also want to check the requirements in your county and township or city for subdivision requirements, and zoning ordinances. For example, often political subdivisions have a requirement for a certain amount of... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Constitutional Law for Ohio on
Q: Do I have any recourse against a developer that sold me a building lot with poor soil conditions?

I purchased a building lot in a new subdivision in the City of Akron (Ohio). After the contractor dug the basement, we discovered the soil was not suitable to support the foundation. The remedy is to dig an additional 7 feet below the footer and fill the area with a mix of grave and concrete which... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Jan 22, 2024

You would have to sue the developer asking the court for damages or to rescind the contract to get your money back. If you file a lawsuit, the developer might negotiate a settlement to avoid the cost of litigation or possible bad publicity.

Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local...
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