If you own land, it’s likely that at some point you will be approached by either a utility company or an entity related to the government asking to install a buried water, sewer, gas or other line, tile or pipe. Usually the government or utility company requests for the permanent right to use a geographic area under the ground.
Tag Archives: Legal-Ease
Legal-Ease: Real and perceived police misconduct
Sometimes there are simply bad law enforcers, and other times citizens misunderstand the law. Sometimes laws themselves are wrong. These are the three main reasons why a law enforcement act can either be inappropriate or perceived to be inappropriate.
Nobody wants to be treated inappropriately as governments fight crime. As a result, law enforcement is always under the microscope.
There are three main reasons why a simple law enforcement act can be inappropriate or perceived to be inappropriate.
Legal-Ease: Grain bins no longer taxable as real estate
Ohio traditionally taxed tangible personal property, which most often affected businesses that used expensive machinery and equipment. After a few changes in the law, the question came up whether grain bins are more like doors and windows, which are taxed as part of real estate, or light fixtures, which are not taxed as real estate.
Legal-Ease: Slow moving vehicle emblems
At this time of year in northwest Ohio, we can expect an increase in farm traffic. Slow Moving Vehicle emblems, or SMVs for short, are the most common identifiers for pieces of farm machinery. The SMV is a red-orange fluorescent triangle, and it was invented in 1961 by Ohio State Engineer Kenneth A. Harkness.
Legal-Ease: Normal wear and tear on rentals
Many people are aware of the term “normal wear and tear,” but it can be murky defining what exactly normal wear and tear can be.
Normal wear and tear refers to normal use by the tenant that means that certain items, such as carpet, will wear, and that other items, such as latches and door handles, will break from normal use.
Legal-Ease: When are fireworks lawful?
As we approach the July 4th holiday, some may be wondering if it’s legal for residents to possess and discharge fireworks. Traditional fireworks are technically considered to be “1.4g fireworks.” Only people who are licensed with the state of Ohio may possess 1.4g fireworks for more than 48 hours. The fireworks license is also required to discharge 1.4g fireworks.
Independence Day later this week will likely be marked by cookouts, gatherings of family and friends and other outdoor activities. Many communities have firework displays at various times during the holiday weekend, too. At the same time or after, some of our neighbors will also discharge fireworks. What is lawful and what is unlawful when it comes to fireworks?
Legal-Ease: Levels of legal authority
In the United States thousands of laws are in place that are not created by the government. Federal laws that aren’t passed by Congress are called “regulations.” Regulations have the effect of the law, but they can’t exceed the authority from the Constitution or the laws that are passed by Congress.
In the United States and in Ohio, there are literally thousands of laws that are created by bureaucrats who do not work for Congress, the Ohio General Assembly or any local government.
Legal-Ease: Who’s responsible when crops obstruct views?
Crops planted near roadway intersections, often corn, can raise questions regarding who is responsible for an accident if the crops obstruct the view of traffic. Often the landowner or farmer can be found responsible if the crop unreasonably obstructs the view at an intersection.
Legal-Ease: Farm commodity payments and business planning
Weather and other variables affect farmers every year. Commodity payments from the government are meant to offer farmers a safety net.
Legal-Ease: Shared ownership handy now, expensive later
Co-owning land or other property can be a good idea in the short run, but may present significant difficulties down the road. If one of the co-owners dies, new owners’ wishes can be completely different than what was originally intended.