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Establishing an estate plan allows you to leave specific instructions about how your estate should be settled, assets distributed to beneficiaries, or disposed of upon your death. However, different issues often arise with estate administration when a person dies intestate – without a will or estate plan.

Generally, guardianship for a minor will automatically terminate once the child turns 18 years or as ordered by the court. However, depending on the surrounding circumstances, the legal guardian may be eligible to request guardianship to continue even after the child becomes an adult.

Taking on the role of a legal guardian of a child or a guardian in case of incapacitation is incredibly important. In most cases, this role is taken on by a family member, and this should only be done if you fully understand the responsibilities it comes with.

With the ever-increasing popularity of DIY tools online, many people use online forms to create estate plans as a cheaper and “easier” alternative to hiring an attorney. However, there are several reasons why you shouldn’t use online estate planning forms and you would be better off hiring an experienced estate planning attorney to guide you through the process.

We’ve all seen TV dramas where, after the death of someone in the family, heirs, and others gather in a study where someone reads the terms of the decedent’s last will and testament. Suddenly, a gasp arises from someone who feels cheated or left out.

Following a person's death in Ohio, the probate court will appoint an executor or administrator to administer the decedent's estate and help settle their final affairs.

Although guardianship and adoption are two different legal arrangements, there remains some confusion surrounding these two processes. As an attorney who assists individuals and families with both guardianship and adoption, I’m often asked about the differences between them.

According to a 2021 Gallup poll, 46% of Americans currently have a will that describes how they would like their estate to be administered after their death.

Establishing a will is one key step in your estate planning process, but it’s not the only one. It is important to be knowledgeable about the best route for your family when it comes to your estate.

Starting a conversation with aging parents about estate planning is a difficult but necessary task. No one likes to think about their own passing, but the longer these discussions are put off, the harder they become. This is becoming even more important since fewer and fewer seniors report having an estate plan.