When someone you love has died, a probate proceeding must generally take place in order to administer the person's estate, pay all outstanding bills and claims, and distribute the remaining property according to either the decedent's Will or Ohio law. I assist clients in administering Wills, Revocable Trusts and Irrevocable Trusts, and in probating estates of all sizes.

Property included as probate property is all property titled in the decedent's name alone. Non-probate property includes: property held by the decedent and another person as joint tenants with right of survivorship, property held in a trust, accounts that are payable on death or will transfer on death to a named beneficiary, and insurance or retirement benefits that are payable to a named beneficiary.

Probate is necessary in order to give the executor or administrator legal authority to deal with the decedent's probate assets. The executor has the responsibility to handle a number of tasks, including: caring for all property of the decedent, receiving payments due to the estate, collecting debts due to the decedent, planning for and filing taxes, and carrying out the instructions of the probate court pertaining to the estate and distributing the assets of the estate to the heirs.

The loss of a loved one is an emotional event, and probate matters may exacerbate an already stressful situation. My goal is to help make the probate process as easy and seamless as possible, so that you may focus your attention on more important matters. For more information, please contact me today.