Probate

There is a lot of talk about the importance of avoiding probate by creating a trust. Whether to prepare a will, which involve probating an estate in Ohio’s courts, or a trust, which would get administered outside of court, is a choice that will depend on an...

Ohio allows several estate planning devices so that people can prepare for a possible disability. Residents of the Dayton area may, for instance, use a durable power of attorney to appoint a loved one or other trusted person to make important financial decisions...

Being an estate executor can be complicated and time consuming. But having a plan can help make these duties go smoothly. Executors An executor is the estate’s personal representative and is legally responsible for protecting the deceased person’s home, savings and...

Like other states, Ohio has what are called intestate succession laws which spell out what will happen to a resident’s property should she die without leaving a will. These laws only apply to a Dayton resident’s probate property. In other words, even if someone leaves...

In estate planning and estate administration matters, the term fiduciary duty is used often. This is because the person who is designated to carry out the terms of a will or trust has an important responsibility. Fiduciary duty for wills and trusts In a will, the...

Serving as an estate administrator can be honorable and stressful. After all, if you’re like a lot of Ohio residents who are serving in that capacity, then you don’t have much, if any, experience navigating matters pertaining to estate administration. This probably...

Serving as an estate administrator or trustee can be an honor, especially when you’re doing so to help a lost loved one and your family. But a lot of responsibility comes with the position, and there’s a lot that you need to know to effectively and efficiently carry...

Losing a loved one is never easy. But if you’ve been named as the executor of your loved one’s estate, then you might have more to deal with than you ever expected. We know that navigating the probate process can be challenging, which is why it’s oftentimes beneficial...

The passing of a loved one is upsetting enough by itself. The subsequent probate process can add even more negative emotion, especially if the will is contested. But wills are not often contested out of greed or self-interest. More commonly, they are contested because...

  If you have lost a loved one, there is a possibility that you will be named the executor or administrator of the decedent’s estate. If the deceased had a will, they may have named you as their personal representative in the will itself. If the decedent did not...