Joseph Jaap

Practicing law for over 29 years, Joseph Jaap assists clients with a wide range of legal issues, whether personal, family law, real estate, estate planning, or business, to develop and implement legal strategies that achieve client goals and that avoid or resolve disputes.

Joe advises clients about their family legal matters, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate, estate planning, divorce, child custody and support, guardianship, and other family issues.

His real estate practice includes both commercial and residential real estate, representing and counseling clients regarding purchases, sales, leasing, condominium development and conversions, condominium management and homeowner associations, construction contracting and construction project management, construction dispute resolution, and mechanic's liens.

Joe also provides general business representation to entrepreneurs and businesses advising clients about business formation, incorporation and joint ventures, contract negotiations, and asset purchases and sales.

He also helps clients resolve issues related to trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property, including clearance and registration of state and federal trademarks, copyright registrations, trademark and copyright infringement claim resolution, intellectual property asset transfers and licensing, trade secret protection, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, and electronic commerce including Internet and domain name issues.

A Cincinnati native, after graduating from Purdue with B.S. and M.S. degrees in engineering, Joe served on active duty as a Navy officer and nuclear power plant engineer on Navy nuclear-powered ships, and served aboard a submarine, cruiser, and aircraft carrier, and remains active with local Navy veterans on the board of the Cincinnati Navy League. After the Navy, Joe worked for several years as an engineer and was licensed as a professional engineer before obtaining his law degree.

Real Estate Law

Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law

Divorce

Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce

Estate Planning

Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills

Probate

Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests

Landlord Tenant

Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Landlord Rights, Rent Control, Tenants' Rights

Trademarks

Trademark Litigation, Trademark Registration

Construction Law

Construction Contracts, Construction Defects, Construction Liens, Construction Litigation

Family Law

Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law

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Ohio

Since 1989

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

J.D. (1989) | Law

1989

Honors: Order of the Coif Academic Honor Society

Purdue University - Purdue University

M.S. (1974) | Engineering

1974

Cincinnati Bar Association

2004 - Current

Professional Engineer 1986-2002

State of Ohio

Senior Reactor Operator 1982-1984

US Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Surface Warfare Officer/Nuclear Power Plant Engineer

United States Navy

Q. House & mortgage in both names. Does dad need POA to put house in his name only since she is in nursing home with Alz?

14 December 2021

A: If she is not mentally competent, then it is too late for her to execute a POA to anyone. POAs, wills, and other estate planning documents should be executed before the need arises. He should use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local estate planning attorney to review the situation and advise him of other options.

Q. Can a representative for the owner of the claimant company sign the affidavit for mechanics lien?

14 December 2021

A: A company representative who is properly identified in the affidavit and has knowledge of the facts stated in the affidavit that are required to be in the lien affidavit, can sign the affidavit, which then must be recorded within the time limit and properly served on the property owner within that time limit. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local construction law attorney to ensure the process is done properly, or the lien will not be valid.

Q. If I was never married to my child’s father and we separate do I need to file for custody or I am their sole parent?

10 December 2021

A: If you were never married and no court has granted him any parental rights, then you have sole legal custody. If you separate, the father could file with the court for parental rights. If he did, you could file for child support.