Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Ohio

Dower rights

My father-in-law inherited some properties from his father--it amounts to 1/5 of the property that his father passed down to 5 sons. He wants to sell the property. Doe he need his wife's signature to sell it. He lives in Washington DC and the family situation can be classified as not good. He does not want her to get any of the money from this sale. What can he do?

Second question is can he sell his interest in the property to any of his brothers without having to notify all of them.--otherwords can he sell part of it to one brother and another part to another brother without notifying everybody that he is selling it?

Thank you for any answers.


Asked on 3/25/99, 9:02 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Daniel Press Chung & Press, P.C.

Re: Dower rights

If the property is in DC or MD, there are no dower rights. He can sell it w/o the wife's signature if she is not expressly on the title. Unless there are restrictions in the instrument granting his interest, he can convey his share to anyone without notifying the co-owners. This all pertains to DC and MD. I do not know anything about the law in Ohio (or most other states).

Daniel Press

Chung & Press, P.C.

6723 Whittier Ave., Suite 302


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Answered on 4/06/99, 9:10 pm


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