OH BAR Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield OH BAR facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which doctrine allows the Supreme Court to decline deciding a constitutional question when a case can be resolved on non-constitutional grounds? → Constitutional avoidance canon
2. What is a quitclaim deed? → A deed that transfers whatever interest the grantor may have without warranties of title
3. What is the residency requirement for filing a divorce in Ohio? → The petitioner must meet state-specific residency requirements before filing
4. Ohio's long-arm statute allows an Ohio court to exercise personal jurisdiction over a non-resident defendant who has: → Transacted business in Ohio or caused tortious injury in Ohio
5. A buyer rightfully rejects goods but is a merchant in possession of the seller's perishable goods, and the seller has no local agent. What must the buyer do? → Make reasonable efforts to sell the goods for the seller's account
6. A lawyer agrees to limit the scope of representation to reviewing a contract but not negotiating it. This limited-scope arrangement is proper if: → The limitation is reasonable under the circumstances and the client gives informed consent
7. Under the doctrine of adverse possession, which of the following is NOT a requirement for someone to claim ownership of land? → Possession with the permission of the true owner
8. What are prior inconsistent statements used for? → To impeach a witness's credibility by showing contradictory earlier statements
9. Under Ohio law, a nonparent (such as a grandparent) seeking custody against a parent must generally show what? → That the parent is unsuitable, by abandonment, contract, or detriment to the child
10. Under dormant Commerce Clause doctrine, a state law that facially discriminates against interstate commerce is subject to what level of scrutiny? → Strict scrutiny / near-per-se invalidity
11. Under Ohio Civ. R. 55, a default judgment may be entered against a party who fails to plead or otherwise defend, but courts must first consider: → Whether the defendant has a meritorious defense if seeking to set aside a default
12. Under the UCC, if a contract for the sale of goods is missing a term regarding price, what is the appropriate remedy? → The price is a reasonable price at the time of delivery
13. An Ohio court may modify a spousal support award after the decree only if what condition is met? → The decree expressly reserved jurisdiction to modify the award
14. Both parties to a wholly executory contract agree to call the deal off before either performs. What discharges their duties? → Mutual rescission, with each party's surrender of rights serving as consideration
15. You need to draft a contract clause to address the issue of breach of contract. What should you include to ensure clarity and enforceability? → A detailed description of the remedies available in the event of a breach.
16. O conveys Blackacre "to A for life, then to B and her heirs if B survives A." What interest does B hold during A's lifetime? → A contingent remainder
17. Ohio's Constitution vests the judicial power in a unified court system headed by which court? → Ohio Supreme Court
18. A construction contract says 'time is of the essence,' and the builder finishes two weeks late. How does this clause change the analysis? → The delay is treated as a material breach permitting the owner to withhold performance
19. When may character evidence be used to prove conduct? → In criminal cases, the defendant may offer evidence of pertinent good character traits
20. In Ohio, when must a defendant file an answer after being served with a complaint in a civil action? → 28 days
21. What are the grounds for contesting a will? → Lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, fraud, or improper execution
22. Ohio child support is generally calculated using which model? → The income shares model based on both parents' incomes
23. In an Ohio criminal case, the defense demands discovery under Crim.R. 16. Which of the following is the prosecutor generally NOT required to disclose? → The prosecutor's internal legal memoranda and work product analyzing trial strategy
24. Under the UCCJEA as adopted in Ohio, initial child custody jurisdiction lies primarily in which state? → The child's home state, where the child lived for six months before filing
25. A builder abandons a project after completing 40% of the work, a material breach. Under the majority common-law rule, may the builder recover anything? → Possibly restitution for the benefit conferred, minus the owner's damages
26. You are given a set of evidence documents and asked to prepare a summary for your client. What is the most important aspect to focus on in your summary? → Key pieces of evidence that support your client’s position.
27. What is relevance in evidence law? → Evidence that has any tendency to make a material fact more or less probable
28. A contract states, 'Payment is due only if the goods arrive by June 1,' and the goods arrive June 3 through no one's fault. Under the common law, what result? → The buyer's payment duty never arises because an express condition failed
29. What is a material breach of contract? → A breach so substantial that it excuses the non-breaching party from further performance
30. To modify a prior decree allocating parental rights in Ohio, the movant must first show what? → A change in circumstances of the child or residential parent since the decree