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Source of Title Blog

A Little Known Fact About Dower In Ohio
by Robert Franco | 2011/02/17 |

This may be of little interest to most of you.  Dower is only recognized by about half a dozen states; Ohio is one of them.  To briefly explain the concept of dower, it is a one-third life estate interest that a spouse has in the real property of the other.  It is for this very important reason that all conveyances of interests in real property include the marital status of the grantor, along with a release of dower by the spouse if the grantor is married.  This is so even if the property is only in the name of the grantor.

There are usually only two ways to extinguish dower, aside from the spouse signing away dower rights by joining in the execution of the grant document by the title-holding spouse.  Those would be divorce and death.  However, there is another little known statute that can extinguish dower - I'm blogging about this today because I have never seen it used and until very recently, I was unaware of it.  By statute in Ohio, adultery can be a bar to dower.

Source of Title Blog ::

Generally, while the spouses are living dower is an inchoate interest; basically that means it is a right contingent on an event, such as outliving the other spouse.  Ohio law does not permit the alienation of this inchoate interest because it is merely an incident to the principal estate and cannot be separated from it.

Thus, it is not possible for one spouse to release his or her dower rights to the other in advance of a conveyance of an interest in real property.  Even if a spouse holds no title to the property of the other, they must join in the execution of the grant document to release their dower rights to the grantee.

An absolute divorce will extinguish dower.  Likewise, if the non-title-holding spouse dies, the dower rights are extinguished; the right to dower does not pass to his or her heirs.  Until recently, I was under the impression that this was the only way dower could be eliminated.

Interestingly, however, Ohio Revised Code § 2103.05 provides:

A husband or wife who leaves the other and dwells in adultery will be barred from dower in the real property of the other, unless the offense is condoned by the injured consort.

Though I have never seen it used, this statute could allow a title-holding spouse to sell or refinance his or her home, despite a uncooperative spouse - if that spouse "leaves the other and dwells in adultery." 

I can imagine only a few instances where this would be useful.  For example, a couple who decides to separate but never follows through with getting an "absolute divorce," or they are involved in a particularly nasty divorce that drags on for a long period of time.  If the non-title-holding spouse refuses to sign a deed or mortgage, this statute could be used to allow a closing to proceed.

Most likely it would require a declaratory judgment action asking the court to declare the non-title-holding spouse is barred from dower.  Upon such a decree, a closing should be able to proceed without the obstinate spouse.

It would be interesting to know what the title insurers' perspective on this would be.  In all my years in the title business, I have never heard anyone bring up this statute.  It would surely be curiously questioned pre-closing, but I think it works just fine.




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Categories: Ohio Legislation, Title Industry, Title Problems

791 words | 64158 views | 5 comments | log in or register to post a comment


What Does it Mean to "Dwell in Adultery"?

Taylor v. Taylor, 11 Ohio App.3d 279, 465 N.E.2d 476 (Ohio App.,1983) This is the only related case I could find in the last 100 years. There are a couple of 1890's cases, but I didn't read them. The Taylor case works over the definition of "cohabitation". We have never heard of the law being applied in this manner, but is still the law and it could be applied as you suggest.

 
by Lawrence Lacombe | 2011/02/26 | log in or register to post a reply

Wow ! Do I Have a Dower Case !
In my research I was led to this blog and am asking for leads to legal representation on my case.  My spouse & I divorced in 2010 after a 20 year marriage that ended abruptly due to him being caught in the act of molesting our 11yr old daughter.  He is now filing for bankruptcy CH7 and is not re affirming the property as it is in forclosure.  He is the only one on the loan, and I have a dower right on this Ohio property.  I have been invited to the meeting of creditors and need to get prepared quickly for this.  Any and all insight on this would be welcome!  PLEASE HELP!!! 
by Diane Kessler | 2013/10/21 | log in or register to post a reply

Divorce terminates dower.

In Ohio, once you are divorced, you no longer have a dower interest. 

 

 
by Robert Franco | 2013/11/13 | log in or register to post a reply

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?
In this case divorce did not terminate dower rights....if you read ohio dower law you will learn that adultery is one area that cancels the loss of your dower right...I think molestation of our adoptive daughter is the worst scenario I can imagine for adultery..on top of that, my ex husband also forfeited his ownership by waste....see ORC 2103.01-09...my girls and I have lost so much in this matter with him, thank God for Ohio Dower Law! 
by Diane Kessler | 2014/05/19 | log in or register to post a reply

Purchase while mid separation

 Hello

I had filed for separation from my husband in Fall of 2015   I purchased a new house in Summer of 2016 while we were mid separation.   He did contribute to money down, but I am the only one on the title and loan.   He unfortunately has paid no money toward the mortgage and does not contribute to the house bills, car or really anything.  I am planning on filing for divorce, but worried about the dower rights in Ohio.  I will gladly get an equity loan of cash out and give him is down payment back as I do not want to sell.   I think he feels he is entitled to half the house which is scary because he is a total freeloader.   Looks Like I better get a very good lawyer. 

 
by Kelly Corrigan | 2017/02/16 | log in or register to post a reply
Source of Title Blog

Robert A. FrancoThe focus of this blog will be on sharing my thoughts and concerns related to the small title agents and abstractors. The industry has changed dramatically over the past ten years and I believe that we are just seeing the beginning. As the evolution continues, what will become of the many small independent title professionals who have long been the cornerstone of the industry?

Robert A. Franco
SOURCE OF TITLE

 

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