Ohio is on the brink of joining 33 other states that have abolished the doctrine of dower. Traditionally, married women were not allowed to own property separately from their husbands. So all real estate owned by the family was controlled by and titled in the name of the husband.
The need for dower in today’s society has passed, and abolishing it will simplify the law and save Ohioans significant time and money.
Everyone should evaluate their estate plans in two different ways: All documents should be read and analyzed both together and separately.
It’s important to know that estate planning documents will get the job done both together and separately, which is why it’s important to analyze them through several different lenses.
Similar to social security numbers, the government needs to be able to identify various businesses and relationships, largely because of tax implications. Therefore, when a new business is started, it’s common to secure a tax/employer identification number, which is the non-human being equivalent to an SSN.
Commonly these numbers are referred to as EINs, employer identification numbers. The IRS requires that most businesses with more than one owner have an EIN.
The probate process isn’t necessarily the fastest process of asset distribution, mainly because the focus of probate is to ensure fairness and communication. Family members can become impatient with probate administration. Regardless, estate administration through probate usually takes at least six months.
A partnership can be created by circumstances that don’t include an actual written agreement. People can become unintended partners, and then they can also be personally liable for damages resulting from their partner’s activity.
When it comes to legal maintenance for our lives, Lee suggests checking in on four broad categories.
First, he suggests making sure everyone has advanced directives in place, including powers of attorney. Second, he suggests making sure that an up to date will is in place. Third, he suggests making sure it will be easy for surviving friends and family to get the assets that are promised to them. Finally, he suggests checking into any liability concerns.
Many people in northwest Ohio own motor vehicles, which means that many people pass away while owning a motor vehicles.
Just like bank accounts, motor vehicles can be co-owned in survivorship. However, government-required forms may need to be signed by both vehicle owners at multiple times.
Typically within seven days of suitable weather, agricultural experts expect that up to 75 percent of the crops in our region will be planted. Which means that there is likely to be a lot of farm equipment on the roads as the weather is finally suitable for planting.
Since roads in the area are often narrow, sometimes it can be confusing on the logistics of passing farm machinery on the road.
Fortunately, Ohio law offers guidance on passing farm machinery on the road.
When a couple fights, they’re encouraged to fight fair. Meaning, only topics related to the current discussion should be brought up in the context of a fight. The same words can be used in the context of legal arguments and negotiations.
There are three frequent situations in civil legal disputes where parties may not fight fair.
Attorneys are often asked how frequently a will should be updated. There are several benchmarks that should trigger updates to an individual’s estate planning documents.
Wills should be updated whenever the law changes and whenever an individual’s life circumstances change.