Ohio Code 5305.17 – Guardian may elect for surviving spouse
As used in this section and sections 5305.18 to 5305.22 of the Revised Code, “incompetent person” means a person who is so mentally impaired, as a result of a mental or physical illness or disability, as a result of an intellectual disability, or as a result of chronic substance abuse, that the person is incapable of taking proper care of the person’s self or property or fails to provide for the person’s family or other persons for whom the person is charged by law to provide.
Terms Used In Ohio Code 5305.17
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Property: means real and personal property. See Ohio Code 1.59
The guardian of a surviving spouse who has been adjudged to be an incompetent person may appear and answer for such incompetent person in an action under section 5305.15 of the Revised Code, subject to the approval of the court in which it is pending. Such answer has the same effect as if such spouse answered personally. The guardian shall be liable to such spouse, or the heirs, for all damage or loss sustained by the guardian’s fraud or collusion, notwithstanding the approval of the court.