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I would like to know the steps involved in obtaining a trademark for my clothing brand name in the U.S., with the possibility of registering it internationally in the future. I don't believe the trademark is currently in use, but I'm unsure where to check this. I want to register it as... View More

answered on Mar 2, 2025
In order to file a trademark in the US for clothing you must file a Trademark Application with the USPTO in class 025. You should conduct a trademark search on the USPTO website before filing the mark. You may file an intent-to-use mark to hold begin the process to secure you rights in the... View More
I am representing myself in a family law case in Ohio, involving a motion to change parenting time and visitation schedules. The trial is set for April 18, 2025, and I need to submit an exhibit list 14 days before the trial date. The case concerns modifying visitation due to the father's... View More

answered on Feb 28, 2025
Don't overthink this. Make a list of all the documents that you want to present. Put the court information at the top of the list along with a caption like "Plaintiff's Exhibit List". File it with the clerk of courts and serve it on all other parties.
The judgment from my divorce in Ohio entitles me to 50% of my ex-wife's pension, but she recently retired and I have not yet received anything. I haven't obtained a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) or contacted the pension plan administrator. We haven't discussed this issue... View More

answered on Feb 28, 2025
Contact the plan administrator regarding the situation and ask if they have their own preferred QDRO, which they probably do, for the division. Draft the QDRO according to their requirements and get it approved by them. Then file the QDRO with the DR court, and give a copy of the court approved... View More
In 2019, my ex-partner and I rented a townhouse apartment together, but only I signed the lease. She left after we broke up, and I was left to cover the bills. A roommate I found took the money meant for the last month's rent, leading to an eviction on the record. My ex is now demanding that I... View More

answered on Feb 28, 2025
If she had already vacated then there shouldn't have been an eviction against her. She could file a motion to overturn or seal it. It is unlikely that she would have a case against you.
If the landlord sought money damages against her, then she at least was on a month to month lease... View More
I purchased a home in Ohio in 2020, and no major disclosures were made at the time. After purchasing, I hired a roofer to replace shingles, who informed me that the roof is likely not up to code. Similarly, a plumber mentioned that the plumbing doesn't appear to be to code, although more... View More

answered on Feb 27, 2025
The seller is only required to disclose items that the seller is aware of. The seller may not have known about the code violations. You should read the contract for the home inspection. There are most likely limitations on the extent of the inspection. The contract for the home inspection will... View More
I live in a condo and share a wall with a neighbor who is harassing me with unpleasant odors and noise. The odors are foul smells, seemingly from his bathroom, that wake me up in the morning. The noise consists of a loud, intermittent boom occurring every morning until I can no longer sleep. This... View More

answered on Feb 27, 2025
To make certain that the Board does not get involved you should review the Condominium Owners Associations bylaws, rules and regulations, and the Declarations for the Planned united Development that established the condominium development. Once you have assured yourself that those do not apply you... View More
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

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
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

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.
My husband and I have been married for a year and a half. Four months into the marriage, my stepson committed suicide while in the military, and my husband received a death benefit as the beneficiary. We used this benefit to purchase and pay off a house, with both our names on the deed, and the... View More

answered on Feb 25, 2025
In Ohio, the important issue of separate property vs. marital property is the ability to trace the source of the funds. How real property is titled is not determinative of how the property is titled. Even though the funds went to your husband and then were deposited into a joint checking account,... View More
I recently found out that I have a warrant from 6 years ago for driving under suspension. At the time, I was participating in a Christian-based program. Since then, I haven't had any legal issues or interactions with law enforcement, and this is the first time I've heard about the... View More

answered on Feb 22, 2025
For my clients in a similar position, I contact the court and make arrangements to bring them into court to recall the warrant. If the client is out of town, I will motion for my client to appear via Zoom. The court will then set the matter for a pretrial and I'll discuss a resolution with the... View More
I have been employed at my company in Ohio for 13 years and am currently on FMLA leave due to visual impairments and chronic illnesses. My employer terminated my work benefits, including health insurance, citing insufficient working hours. I made a complaint to the company's ethics hotline,... View More

answered on Feb 20, 2025
The FMLA prohibits employers from terminating health insurance during an FMLA leave period. If you do not return from FMLA, however, then you are responsible for paying for the insurance coverage during your FMLA leave period.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/29/825.211
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

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... View More
This specific mayors court has been defined as a money grab and unlawful in the way it operates

answered on Feb 16, 2025
The local rules of Court will provide the process for obtaining a copy of the Court proceedings, and whether there are provisions for making recordings by alternative means, or the local rules will provide that you can hire a court reporter to transcribe the proceedings.
Now I’m being sued for the damages because the car was not insured and they’re threatening to suspend my license

answered on Feb 16, 2025
If the car was used without your permission, then you are not responsible. The way the question was written gives the appearance that the car was in your name but used by your son. If that is the case, then you can be held liable. If found liable, then your license can be suspended until the... View More
Received window tint ticket in OH. As the officer was handing me my ID and the ticket, he asked for proof of insurance (POI), which I showed him, but he had already marked that I did NOT provide POI on my ticket. When I showed him proof, he marked on my ticket (the carbon copy) that I showed... View More

answered on Feb 16, 2025
The main concern is the proof of insurance. You need to show up for Court in order to demonstrate proof of insurance.
I do not believe there is anything you can do about not marking proof of insurance on the ticket.
Removing the window tint may be helpful, but it is not a defense.... View More
I would like to know if I am legally obligated to cover ongoing medical debts incurred by my adult homeless relative, who has refused to live with their elderly parents who are residents of Ohio and do not have much money. The person in need is not eligible for Medicaid or other health benefits.

answered on Feb 14, 2025
The answer, unfortunately, is "it depends."
You described the other person as an adult "relative," but you didn't indicate what your relationship is to that person. Are you their parent, child, grandparent, third cousin? The degree of relationship may matter,... View More

answered on Feb 11, 2025
Yes. If she stole money from you by signing over your check to herself, that is theft, which would arguably fall under Ohio Revised Code 5321.05(A), destruction of landlord’s property. You could either give 30 days notice to her to return the funds under R.C. 5321.11 and then file for eviction,... View More
We all live together with my husband as well. Since I got married, they seem to have declined in health. Dad had a TIA and is better now. But mom isn't taking care of herself. We constantly argue about the fact that they have not let me out if their sight since birth. I just need my own space... View More

answered on Feb 9, 2025
If you are all titled owners of the house, and you don't want to live with them, then you either need to 1) buy out their interest in the property and have them move; 2) have them buy your interest in the property and then you move; 3) sell the property and everyone moves; or 4) if no one can... View More

answered on Feb 3, 2025
An Ohio attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. It could depend on the limits of your state's small claims court system and the complexity of the case. Fraud cases can be complex. In most states nationwide, small claims are often inside of four figures, and... View More
I'm the only child and he wasn't married or anything. filed the summary release from administration that I was told to and took it to the bank, but the bank gave me a check made out to my dads estate. There is no estate and all of his bills were taken care of. I guess I have to open an... View More

answered on Jan 29, 2025
This is a common bank error. They are good at estates, where there is an administrator or executor. They are not good at summary administrations or release from administrations, where there is a commissioner. Your order from the court should have ordered the bank to pay the beneficiary directly or... View More
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