Albanese v. Batman (Slip Opinion)

I. Introduction

{¶ 1} In these discretionary appeals from the Seventh District Court of Appeals, we address two cases involving the application of the Ohio Dormant Mineral Act (“ODMA”), codified in R.C. 5301.56. Appellant Wayne Lipperman owns a parcel of real property in Belmont County, Ohio, and appellant Mark Albanese is the executor of the estate of James Albanese III, which owns a separate parcel of real property in Belmont County, Ohio. Appellees Nile and Katheryn Batman claim to hold an interest in the minerals underlying the properties owned by Lipperman and the estate of James…