Q: How to handle a mother's estate with no will in Ohio?

A: Well, the short answer is find a probate attorney who practices in that County. There is a lot of nuance to probate and without qualified assistance it's easy to make, sometime very costly, mistakes. Without a detailed look at the circumstances nobody is going to be able to advise you.

Best of luck.

A: I’m sorry you’re going through this—it’s hard enough to lose a parent without having to worry about fairness and legal steps afterward. Since your mother died without a will in Ohio, her estate must be divided according to Ohio’s intestate succession laws. As one of her two children, you are legally entitled to half of her estate unless a court determines otherwise. That includes the house, car, and any other assets still in her name.

If your brother has already filed for probate and has an attorney, you should not sign over anything without fully understanding your rights and the impact of doing so. You can contact the probate court in Lucas County to verify the status of the case and request copies of any filings. Even from Kentucky, you have the right to participate in the process and raise objections if necessary. Filing a formal notice with the court that you intend to be involved will help prevent your brother from moving forward without your input.

You don’t have to rush, but you do need to act soon. Protect your share by staying informed, requesting documents, and speaking directly to the court or a local attorney if needed. You've already done the right thing by not signing anything yet—now it's about making sure your voice is heard in the process. Your mother's legacy deserves to be handled with fairness.