Some Ohio estates make their way through probate court without any issues. An individual clearly describes what should happen with their property in their will, and the person serving as the personal representative of their estate is able to follow those instructions...
Estate Planning
Is a trust better than a will?
The main legal document in an estate plan is a will. A will is essentially a set of instructions that dictate how assets are distributed. Heirs and beneficiaries can benefit from a will, but there can be some issues that prevent that from happening. For starters, a...
What can happen to my estate if I die without a will?
When a person dies, their family members could rely on their estate plan to determine what to do with their assets. Ideally, they could settle matters based on the deceased's wishes. However, some people could pass on without a will. In this instance, local intestacy...
An overview of will and trusts
Many people know that there are two types of estate planning tools, called a will and trust, but they may not know the differences between them. Will overview and benefits A will is a legal document that addresses how a person wants their assets to be distributed...
Don’t miss these first steps in the estate administration process
If you’ve been left with the responsibility to administer a loved one’s estate after they pass away, you might be feeling overwhelmed and uncertain of where to start the process. That’s okay. You’ve taken the important first step of seeking out information. And...
Completing a durable power of attorney
A durable power of attorney (POA) is an important part of an estate plan. It is a legal document that grants an agent the legal authority to make important decisions on behalf of another person, who is called the principal. It is important for the principal to choose...
Can the executor of an estate sell estate property?
There are many responsibilities involved with being an estate executor in Ohio. You must identify and locate the estates assets, pay off estate debts and distribute assets to heirs, among other tasks. You might experience complications throughout the probate process...
How can estate planning prevent family quarrels?
When Ohio residents begin to think about estate planning, they can have many different goals in mind. For some people, preventing quarrels among family members when assets are set to be transferred is a major goal. So, how can estate planning prevent family quarrels?...
Handling estate administration in Ohio
If you hear the term, "intestate," it means that a person has passed away without a valid will. If the person had a will, it would have stated exactly how the person wished their property to be distributed to their heirs. If the person didn't have a valid will when...
What are trustees’ responsibilities for trust administration?
Many people in Ohio are asked to be trustees of their family members’ trusts. Most people says yes even though they may not completely understand their responsibilities as trustees. They also may not become the trustee of the trust until many years later. By that...