Ohio · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026
Legal help in Ohio: get back what you're owed
Eight free guides for Ohio, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.
Small Claims Map
Small claims court in Ohio
If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.
- Most you can sue for
- $6,000
- Court
- small claims court
- Filing fee
- $37–$124
- Lawyers
- Optional
Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic
Tenant Rights Map
Renters' rights in Ohio
If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.
- Deadline to return a deposit
- 30 days
- Security deposit limit
- No statewide limit
- Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
- 3 days
- Notice before the landlord enters
- Reasonable (24 hours presumed)
- Ohio renters' rights guide
- Getting your deposit back in Ohio
- Repairs in Ohio
- Eviction in Ohio
- Deposit return calculator
- Free deposit demand letter
- Free repair request letter
- Eviction notice timeline
Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Wage Claim Map
Unpaid wages in Ohio
If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.
- File a wage claim with
- Ohio Department of Commerce
- Minimum wage (2026)
- $11.00
- Final paycheck if fired
- No state deadline
- Deadline to file a wage claim
- 3 years
- Ohio wage claim guide
- Wage-theft calculator
- When was your final paycheck due?
- Free demand letter for unpaid wages
Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Lemon Car Map
Lemon law in Ohio
If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.
- Lemon law period
- 12 mo / 18,000 mi
- What makes it a lemon
- 3 repairs · 1 if unsafe · 30 calendar days
- Covers used cars
- No
- Before you sue
- If maker has a program
Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Tax Appeal Map
Property tax appeals in Ohio
If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.
- Deadline to appeal
- March 31 (Board of Revision)
- Where you appeal first
- County Board of Revision (BOR)
- Median effective tax rate
- 1.31%
- Median yearly tax on a home
- $2,822
Opens soonOpens January 1, 2027. Complaints for the 2026 tax year are due March 31, 2027 (or the first-half tax due date, if later). (as of October 21, 2026)
Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Exemption Map
Property tax exemptions in Ohio
If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.
- Homestead exemption
- See the rules
- Homestead deadline
- December 31
- Senior break
- Yes
- Disabled veterans
- $58,000
- Ohio property tax exemptions
- Eligibility finder for Ohio
- County offices in Ohio
- Breaks for seniors in Ohio
- Breaks for veterans in Ohio
- Breaks for people with disabilities in Ohio
- Breaks for surviving spouses in Ohio
Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Owed Map
Unclaimed money in Ohio
Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.
- Official search
- Ohio Unclaimed Funds (unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov)
- Held by the state
- About $5.4 billion (September 2026)
- Cost to search and claim
- Free
- On MissingMoney.com
- Yes
- Ohio unclaimed money guide
- Search Ohio Unclaimed Funds (unclaimedfunds.ohio.gov) (official site)
- Money owed to a relative who died
- Finder fees by state
Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Divorce Law Map
Divorce in Ohio
Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.
- Residency before you can file
- 6 months
- Waiting period
- See the guide
- Filing fee
- Check with your court
Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Deadlines at a glance in Ohio
Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.
| Topic | Deadline or time limit | Rule | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small claims court | Deadline to sue: written contract | 6 years | Small Claims Map |
| Small claims court | Deadline to sue: verbal agreement | 4 years | Small Claims Map |
| Small claims court | Deadline to sue: property damage | 2 years | Small Claims Map |
| Renters' rights | Deadline to return a deposit | 30 days | Tenant Rights Map |
| Renters' rights | Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent | 3 days | Tenant Rights Map |
| Unpaid wages | Deadline to file a wage claim | 3 years | Wage Claim Map |
| Unpaid wages | Final paycheck if fired | No state deadline | Wage Claim Map |
| Lemon law | Lemon law period | 12 mo / 18,000 mi | Lemon Car Map |
| Lemon law | Deadline | You must sue within 5 years of the date of original delivery (Ohio Rev. Code § 1345.75(C)). | Lemon Car Map |
| Property tax appeals | Deadline to appeal | March 31 (Board of Revision) | Tax Appeal Map |
| Property tax exemptions | Homestead deadline | December 31 | Exemption Map |
| Unclaimed money | Deadline to claim | See the guide | Owed Map |
| Divorce | Residency before you can file | 6 months | Divorce Law Map |
| Divorce | Waiting period | See the guide | Divorce Law Map |
Several problems at once? Get one plan for Ohio.
Open the finderOther problems: free official help
RobinClaim doesn't cover debt collectors, scams, custody and child support, and other areas yet. These official and nonprofit services can help in every state:
- Consumer protection office for Ohio (as listed by USA.gov)
- LawHelp.org: legal aid and know-your-rights guides by state
- Legal Services Corporation: find free legal aid near you
- American Bar Association: lawyer referral services by state
- CFPB: your rights with debt collectors
- FTC: report fraud, scams and bad business practices
Links checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed in how we research.