Estate Planning

Dying without a will is more common than most people expect. When it happens in Ohio, the state steps in and distributes the deceased person's assets according to a fixed set of rules called intestate succession. The outcome may look nothing like what the person...

Losing someone close to you is overwhelming. On top of grief, there are practical matters that need attention. Some require action within days, others within weeks. Knowing what to do first can help you move through this difficult time without missing important steps....

Your dog greets you at the door every day with enthusiastic tail wags. Your cat curls up beside you each night, purring softly. You consider these companions family members, not just pets. When you think about your future, you worry about who will care for them when...

Estate planning is not on everyone’s radar, as many assume it only benefits seniors or the wealthy. The truth is that the ideal time to start an estate plan may be much earlier than you think. Starting your journey early Ohio law defines an adult as a person who is 18...

Being in a blended family can make the estate planning process slightly complicated. After all, if you simply leave all your assets to your spouse, then they’ll be under no obligation to hand down any of that wealth to your children from another relationship once they...

When people think about estate planning, they usually picture homes, bank accounts and vehicles. Digital assets can be easy to overlook. Email accounts, airline miles and cryptocurrency may carry real value, yet they do not pass automatically when someone dies. In...

When Ohio residents talk about wanting to avoid probate, they may be referring not so much to the almost inevitable time and effort it takes to settle their loved one’s financial affairs after they die. Instead, they may have in mind the nightmare scenarios of...

You might breathe a sigh of relief when you finally create your estate plan. But you can’t simply sleep on your estate plan without revisiting it from time-to-time. If you neglect your estate plan, then circumstances can change, rendering your estate plan...

Part of the estate planning process should focus on what will happen to you if you become incapacitated or need long-term care. Many people overlook this step, which can leave them and their family in a difficult spot if additional care is needed. While you can...

Life moves fast and your legal documents should keep up. Many people draft a will and then forget it, assuming it is permanent. However, major life events change your financial status and family structure. This can potentially render your existing will outdated or...