In Ohio, it is important to understand the steps that must be taken after a person dies and the probate process gets underway. This is true for the person who has created an estate plan and the executor or administrator. Missteps can delay property being passed along...
Estate Planning
Why new parents need an estate plan
Estate planning might not be high on your list of priorities as a new parent, but it should be. You may associate estate planning with something needed when you grow older, but there are many reasons why an estate plan is important for new parents. Remember that young...
Beneficiary disputes may arise during probate
Most people create a will with the intention that their wishes will be carried out and their assets will be distributed to their beneficiaries without any big problems. The beneficiaries are the people that receive your property after your death. Sometimes, the...
What is a healthcare power of attorney?
Your estate plan can include a will and a trust, and you may also want to consider including a healthcare power of attorney. A healthcare power of attorney is a legal tool that gives another person the authority to make healthcare decisions for you if you are unable...
Can I leave one of my kids out of an Ohio estate plan?
When dealing with a strained relationship with a child, the thought of excluding them from your estate plan may cross your mind. The good news is that it is legally possible to disinherit a child in Ohio. However, this process requires careful consideration to avoid...
Choosing the right trustee as a part of an estate plan
Okay, you have done all the soul searching advised by your estate planning lawyer, and you have decided to create a trust to convey most of your assets to your children. Now what? The next step is perhaps the most critical: choosing a person or institution to act as...
What happens to my stock holdings after I die?
Those who have invested in stocks can simply pass them along as they would any other property as part of a will. Just as a person can declare who will get a home, automobiles, jewelry, collectibles, sentimental items and anything else, they can specify how their...
Should I include a POA as part of my estate plan?
In estate planning, we often talk about the uses of wills and trusts, but these aren’t the only important documents to consider including in your estate plan. One document that all of us should have in our plans is a financial power of attorney, or financial POA. A...
What issues might you encounter during the probate process?
The probate process is something that not many people think about until they deal with it. After the death of a loved one, surviving family members are typically the ones who need to go through the probate process, and they become very familiar with the legal terms...
Three common ways wills are contested
A well thought-out, legally binding will can be powerful in an estate plan. After all, it can concretely dictate how assets are to be distributed, leaving no room for interpretation. That sounds well and good, but the truth is that wills are contested all the time. If...