Dale Emch's Blade column stresses importance of good estate planning

Disputes over wills and estates can be messy affairs, especially if the deceased person didn't spell things out clearly or tried to cut corners. In my last newspaper column for the Toledo Blade, I addressed the rights spouses have in real estate as a matter of law in Ohio. The quick version is that a spouse does hold an interest in any real property that the other spouse holds an interest in whether or not their name is on the deed. Before the property can be sold or transferred, the unnamed spouse has to release that interest. If no release was signed, the unnamed spouse has the ability to ask a court to review any transfers that took place. The smart move is to consult a lawyer for any real estate transfers to avoid complications in the future. Working with a good estate planning attorney also can prevent your family from having conflicts after you pass away.