Clear Legal Assistance With Estate Planning and Probate in Ohio
The complexities of estate law and probate matters can be daunting. We understand how easy it can be to put off establishing or updating your estate plan. At Kennel Zeigler LLC, we help families in Dayton and throughout Ohio with the intricacies of estate law and probate matters. Our estate planning attorneys are here to help you create a thorough estate plan that reflects your wishes, honors your choices and safeguards your family’s future. Whether you need to prepare a will, set up a trust or explore Medicaid planning options, we can draft the legal documents you need so the distribution of your assets will be according to your intentions. Let us help you build a firm foundation for a legacy that stands the test of time.
Our lawyers are well-equipped to help you with:
- Wills – If you pass away without a valid will in place, you are leaving the distribution of your estate up to the government. Take action and make your own wishes known by creating a will.
- Trusts – A trust can often be a useful tool for reducing estate taxes and avoiding the probate process. Essentially, a trust transfers assets to a third party who holds them for the eventual beneficiaries.
- Durable powers of attorney – These documents give the person of your choice the ability to make decisions and conduct business on your behalf. A power of attorney for health care specifically designates someone to make medical decisions for you, should you become incapacitated.
- Living wills – Officially called “advance health care directives,” these documents let you put your end-of-life wishes in writing. If you want to be kept alive on a ventilator, for instance, you can specify this and save your loved ones from uncertainty.
- Medicaid planning strategies: Learn how to protect your assets while still pursuing government benefits.
- Transfer on death (TOD) designation affidavits – This can allow real estate to immediately pass to the person or persons you choose, without having to go through probate.
- Quitclaim deeds – This type of deed can be used to transfer your interest in real property (such as your house) to someone else.
- Probate and estate administration – After a loved one’s death, the last thing you need is to navigate the probate or estate administration process on your own. Let us guide you through each step, from understanding the responsibilities of the executor to distributing assets to the appropriate heirs.
Frequently Asked Questions On Estate And Probate Law
Estate planning is essential to secure your financial legacy, protect your loved ones and help ensure your wishes are honored. Below are answers to some common questions about estate planning and its importance:
What documents do I need for a basic estate plan?
A basic estate plan includes the following:
- Last Will and Testament
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Health care Power of Attorney
- Living Will
These documents allow you to designate how your assets will be distributed, appoint trusted individuals to make financial or medical decisions on your behalf and outline your preferences for end-of-life care.
Additional documents, such as a trust, may be necessary depending on the complexity of your estate.
What happens if I die without a will in Ohio?
If you pass away without a will in Ohio, your estate will be distributed according to intestate succession laws. This means the state determines who inherits your assets, prioritizing your closest relatives, such as your spouse, children or parents.
Without a will, your wishes may not be carried out, and the estate administration process can create unnecessary legal challenges and delays for your loved ones.
What is Medicaid planning, and why is it important?
Medicaid planning involves strategies to help individuals qualify for Medicaid benefits while preserving their assets. This is particularly important for those facing long-term care costs, as Medicaid can help cover expenses such as nursing home care.
Proper Medicaid planning helps you or your loved ones access necessary care without depleting your life savings. It often involves legal and financial guidance to navigate Medicaid’s eligibility requirements.
Can proper estate planning help to avoid probate?
Effective estate planning can help avoid probate, which is the court-supervised process of distributing a deceased person’s assets.
Tools like revocable living trusts, joint ownership or beneficiary designations on financial accounts can transfer assets directly to heirs, bypassing probate. Avoiding probate saves time, reduces costs and maintains privacy for your family.
A well-structured estate plan offers peace of mind and protects your financial and personal wishes. Our estate and probate attorney can tailor a plan that aligns with your needs and goals.
Talk With Us One-On-One About Your Estate-Related Needs
We invite you to contact Kennel Zeigler LLC to set up a free initial consultation about your estate planning or probate concerns. Call our Dayton office at 937-576-9991 or email our attorneys today. We are here to help you and your family successfully navigate the legal system and develop a secure foundation for the future.
