Going to probate court alone is a big decision that will have an impact on your life throughout the probate process. And, as the state of Ohio has not yet adopted the Uniform Probate Code (UPC), a set of laws designed to simplify the probate process, your court case...
A power of attorney allows someone to handle the care of the finances or affairs of another person. This can be done as a person ages and needs guidance or becomes unable to make sound decisions. It can also be useful if a person becomes disabled. Being a power of...
Becoming comfortable with the estate planning process: How and why to get started, and what to do once your plan is set. “Estate planning” — you’ve heard about it and know it’s something you should have in place. But when should you start and does it really apply to...
A durable power of attorney is one of the most important estate planning documents you can have. It allows you to appoint someone to act for you (your “agent” or “attorney-in-fact”) if you become incapacitated. Without a power of attorney, your...
Many people believe that if they have a will, their estate planning is complete, but there is much more to a solid estate plan. A good plan should be designed to avoid probate, save on estate taxes, protect assets if you need to move into a nursing home, and appoint...
For a variety of reasons, people sometimes want some or all of their assets to pass directly to specific individuals upon their deaths, outside of probate. One way to accomplish this is to set up a “payable on death” (POD) account for money in a bank account or a...