Estate Planning

A valid will is a one of the most basic pieces of estate planning. A will clearly lays out how assets and debts should be distributed after the death of the will holder, known as a testator. However, as most everyone knows, life is unpredictable, and sometimes a will...

A quitclaim deed may be used as part of an estate plan. It allows a person to transfer the rights he or she has in property to another person. A deed is a legal document and it must contain a description of the property, the names of the parties and the signature of...

A power of attorney can be an effective estate planning tool. It allows a person, called the principal, to designate another person, called an agent, to act on his or her behalf. The agent is required to act in the best interest of the principal and may only act to...

The world of estate planning is rife with different tools and devices intended to serve a variety of needs. This variety often comes in handy as it allows for highly personalized estate plans. Previously, the standard will was considered the default means of estate...

Let us assume that an Ohio resident who owns real property, such as a house, passes away. Many people wonder whether the property owned by that person can be passed on to someone else, per the owner’s wish, without entering into probate administration and without the...

The probate process can be enormously complicated, even when an estate plan left behind by a loved one seems relatively clear. This is certainly the case when multiple wills are discovered. The question at this point is which will is valid and therefore enforceable?...

The revocable trust is an increasingly popular tool in estate planning, and indeed a revocable trust can be a very useful thing to have. Unlike wills and testamentary trusts, a revocable trust goes into effect during your lifetime, so you can see the results in real...

Losing a loved one is never easy. Merely getting by day-to-day without them by your in your life can be challenging to say the least. But you might find yourself overwhelmed if you’ve been tasked with administering your loved one’s estate or handling a trust. As...