Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy. It's about ensuring your loved ones understand your wishes and carry them out after you're gone. Whether you are just starting your estate plan or are going to review an existing one, it is important to know which key...
Year: 2024
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
Having an estate plan is important to ensure the distribution of your assets according to your wishes. There are two common ways to do this: a will or a trust. What is a will? According to CNBC, 67% percent of Americans do not have an estate plan. A will is a legal...
What are some possible breaches of fiduciary duties?
When it comes to estates, fiduciary duties are a way to make sure that assets get into the right hands. These are important rules executors follow to make sure everything happens properly. However, sometimes people do not follow these rules, leading to breaches and...
What makes a will valid in Ohio?
A will can be an effective tool for relaying end-of-life instructions and decisions, making it a valuable component of an estate plan. This document can help the decedent express their wishes concerning their estate, such as asset distribution and other wishes....
What issues can arise during the probate process?
Settling the estate of a person who just died is called probate. Because this is a complex legal process, and people don’t always prepare an estate plan to streamline distributions and decisions, issues can and do arise. The executor does not want the responsibility...
Each estate plan is unique
Estate planning allows you to prepare for any unexpected events that may occur in the future. Every person's estate plan is unique and tailored to their specific goals and circumstances. For instance, a parent will prioritize the well-being and guardianship of their...
When do probate alternatives take effect in Ohio?
Probate is often an essential process to help administer estates based on state law. Aside from adequately distributing inheritances, it can also help organize and settle any debt or tax payments the deceased left before they passed. In Ohio, some laws can shorten the...
Does the Ohio probate process take long?
Probate in Ohio is a process the court uses to ensure that when someone dies, their estate assets go to the legally entitled parties. Usually, the person who has the decedent's last will and testament initiates it. The court will review the will first and determine if...
How to avoid beneficiary designation mistakes
Beneficiary designations are an important aspect of estate planning. When it comes to retirement accounts, life insurance policies and other assets, these designations spell out who should receive funds. Because it is easy to overlook issues affecting beneficiary...
Josh Plieninger and Andrew Winkel have become partners of Metz, Bailey & McLoughlin, LLP.
We would like to officially announce that attorneys Josh Plieninger and Andrew Winkel have become partners of . Council for the City of Westerville also approved the transition from Bruce Bailey to Andrew as the Law Director for Westerville...