{"id":375644,"date":"2018-04-19T16:08:18","date_gmt":"2018-04-19T21:08:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/ohio-law\/ohio-dower-rights.html"},"modified":"2018-11-21T12:01:41","modified_gmt":"2018-11-21T17:01:41","slug":"ohio-dower-rights","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/ohio-law\/ohio-dower-rights.html","title":{"rendered":"Ohio Dower Rights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Ohio Dower Rights<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Originally a protection created for widows who survive their husbands, a dower<\/a> right is an interest in real estate intended to protect a spouse who does not hold title. Dower has fallen by the wayside in most states as an antiquated concept, but in Ohio dower rights are alive and well. Not only has dower not been abolished, it has even been broadened to include husbands (previously protected under curtesy<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n

This article briefly reviews the concept of dower rights in Ohio and their practical applications.<\/p>\r\n

Duration of Dower Rights<\/h2>\r\n

Ohio upholds dower rights to give spouses real property<\/a> protections. These rights are difficult to terminate, continuing unless the spouse:<\/p>\r\n