Studies have found that only around 33% of Americans have actually written a will or set up an estate plan. The other two-thirds have not yet taken this step, even though many of them will say that they know estate planning is important and they intend to make a plan...
Losing a spouse is a life-altering event. Becoming a widow or widower can impact one’s social relationships, financial reality and overall well-being. To add to these burdens is the reality that the law always has something to say when it comes to the property of a...
There are a lot of decisions you have to make when you’re creating an estate plan. While many people focus on things like passing down their assets, there are others that have to be made. One of these is deciding who will be your executor. Choosing an executor is one...
Having worked hard to build up some wealth to pass on to your family, it makes sense that you don’t want to see it wasted. Yet some beneficiaries may not be able to manage an inheritance sensibly. This could be due to their youth, or due to addictions to gambling,...
Choosing the wrong executor or trustee can delay your estate, drain assets and damage family relationships. Ohio law sets clear standards for this role, and knowing what to look for helps you make a confident choice. What Ohio law requires Ohio places legal limits on...
People who are creating an estate plan have options for how they transfer assets to their loved ones. One of these options is a trust, which is classified as either a revocable or an irrevocable trust. Some people lean toward revocable trusts because they can be...
Your family might look different than the traditional picture, especially if you and your spouse each brought children into the relationship. While you have likely mastered the daily logistics of a blended household, estate planning in Ohio requires a different kind...
Managing a loved one’s assets after their passing can raise many questions, including how long the probate process will take. In Ohio, most probate cases take six to 18 months, and sometimes longer. The duration depends on the complexity of the estate and whether any...
Losing a parent is a heavy burden, but the weight doubles when a sibling challenges the will. Whether you feel blindsided by an accusation or are noticing red flags yourself, these high-conflict probate disputes can deeply disrupt families. Understanding whether a...
Estate planning covers more than what happens after death. It also addresses who can make decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself. Two legal tools handle this issue, but they serve very different purposes. A financial power of attorney and a healthcare...