Ohio probate courts can correct some estate problems even after the estate closes. If someone finds a missed asset, a deed problem or a serious accounting error after the estate closes and the executor finishes the role, the family or fiduciary may need to ask the...
A revocable living trust does not avoid probate just because you sign it. The trust must actually hold your assets. Until you place property in the trust or change the right beneficiary designations, some assets may still pass through the Ohio probate process. Funding...
A change in local boundaries can alter where you live, pay taxes and receive services. If you own land near Westerville or another growing Ohio town, it helps to know what annexation may change. What municipal annexation means Annexation occurs when a city or village...
After someone dies, handling their property can feel overwhelming, especially when you are responsible for the estate and unsure where to begin. Ohio law gives you a defined process for identifying and reporting property that belongs in the probate estate....
Most people in Ohio don’t think about writing a living will because they assume they may never need it. But, sorry for using this cliché phrase, life can be unpredictable. An unexpected medical emergency can leave you incapacitated and you may not be able to advocate...
Picture a council member texting a colleague about an upcoming zoning vote while making dinner at home. It feels private, yet that message may belong to the public as much as one typed on a city computer. In Ohio, that distinction has little to do with which phone you...
When making an estate plan, it is very natural to think of your most valuable assets first, at least from a financial perspective. Maybe you own stocks, bonds or other investments. Perhaps you have extensive savings. Maybe you need to figure out how you are going to...
To disinherit someone with your estate plan, it is best to take direct steps to do so. Parents are sometimes tempted just to leave a child out of the will, for example, evenly distributing all of their assets to that child's siblings. They believe this is enough to...
Outstanding debts still have to be paid during estate administration. This is a task that is often handled by the estate administrator. These debts will look different from one case to the next. Many people have credit card debt, for example, or outstanding car loans...
Many people delay estate planning because they believe they have plenty of time or assume their family will automatically inherit everything. Yet, if you die without an estate plan in Ohio, state law, not your personal wishes, determines who receives your property....
