Experienced Lawyers For All Your Estate Planning Needs
It is never too early or too late to start planning how you intend to handle your estate when you are retired or after your death. Whether you are just starting out with your new job and family or need to modify your plan due to a major life event such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child or grandchild, don’t put off getting the documents in order.
At the law offices of Hottenroth, Garverick, Tilson & Garverick, Co., L.P.A. in Galion, we can handle all of your estate planning and probate law needs. We proudly serve families throughout Galion, Morrow County and Richland County, helping you protect your family’s future, avoid probate court delays and plan for incapacity. People in north central Ohio have been trusting us with their estate law needs for more than 50 years.
Our estate planning services include:
- Initial drafts of last wills and testaments
- Modified wills
- Irrevocable living trusts that allow you to decide how assets should be distributed to loved ones and charitable organizations while you are alive
- Testamentary trusts that are set up to distribute assets according to your specific instructions upon your death
- Revocable trusts that allow you to retract funds from the trust in the event of financial need
In addition to estate-planning legal instruments, we also offer documents to help your family plan for making decisions at a future date, including:
- State of Ohio Living Will Declarations
- State of Ohio Healthcare Powers of Attorney
- Durable financial powers of attorney
Common Questions About Estate Planning In Ohio
Many people have similar concerns when they start thinking about estate planning. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from clients in Galion, Morrow County and Richland County.
Why do I need an estate plan in Ohio?
An estate plan gives you control over what happens to your assets and who makes decisions for you if you become incapacitated. Without one, Ohio law decides how your property gets distributed and who manages your affairs. An estate plan protects your family from unnecessary court involvement, reduces conflict among loved ones and ensures your wishes are honored. It also allows you to name guardians for minor children, minimize tax burden on your beneficiaries and avoid the time and expense of probate court. Ohio no longer has a state estate tax, so modern estate planning focuses on managing inherited IRA distributions under federal SECURE Act 2.0 rules and protecting your family from probate delays.
When should I update my estate plan?
You should review and update your estate plan after major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child or grandchild, the death of a beneficiary or a significant change in your financial situation. Changes in Ohio law can also affect your plan. We recommend reviewing your estate planning documents every three to five years to make sure they still reflect your current wishes and circumstances.
What happens if I die without a will in Ohio?
Ohio’s intestacy laws determine how your assets get distributed in case you pass away without a will. Your spouse and children typically inherit first, but the exact division depends on your family structure.
If there are no surviving spouse or children, the property may go to parents, siblings or more distant relatives. Dying without a will means you lose control over who receives your assets, who serves as executor and who becomes guardian of your minor children. The probate court must appoint an administrator and may require a costly security bond equal to twice the value of your personal property. A simple will can waive this bond requirement entirely, saving your family significant expense.
We Are There For You Now, And When Your Family Will Need Us Most
Even with careful planning, estate assets sometimes end up under the control of probate courts. If you recently lost a loved one and need help with probating the will or handling the final administration of the estate, our probate lawyers are ready to help.
Contact Us To Learn More In A Free Consultation
Call our offices in Galion at 419-468-5044 or explain your circumstances in an email. We will call you back to schedule a time to meet with one of our lawyers.
