When does dower terminate in Ohio?

Dower in Ohio represents a wife's legal right to a portion of her husband's estate upon his death. It's critical to understand that dower is not affected by the marriage dissolution process itself, as this right is concerned primarily with the rights that survive the death of one spouse.

The correct answer relates specifically to the circumstance of an absolute divorce which eliminates the dower rights of the spouse. In Ohio, if a marriage ends in absolute divorce, the dower rights are extinguished; the surviving spouse no longer holds the right to a portion of the deceased spouse’s real property.

The other options do not accurately represent when dower rights terminate. The death of the spouse does not terminate dower, but rather, it activates the right for the surviving spouse. Similarly, a sale of the property does not terminate dower unless it is done in conjunction with the divorce; the right essentially remains until the marriage is formally dissolved. Thus, understanding the interaction between marriage, divorce, and property rights is crucial in determining the correct circumstances under which dower rights cease to exist.