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A last will and testament is the basic building block of estate planning. It allows you to designate assets to your loved ones when you’re gone and name a guardian for your minor children. Even though only about 40 percent of Americans even have a will, it is a vital document to provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones as you venture through life.

While a second marriage is a happy occasion, dealing with the resulting changes to your estate plan may be complicated. However, there are ways you can navigate the process efficiently and effectively.

As an estate planning and probate attorney at The Law Office of Gregory L. Williams, I help grieving families settle the affairs of their deceased loved ones in Columbus, Ohio, and throughout Central Ohio. I am here to guide you through this difficult time and ensure that your loved one’s family, estate, and other affairs are taken care of.

People are living longer than ever. For many, there will come a time when they need some amount of help to live. There are home health services and nursing home care, which are both covered by Medicaid. However, many people need services in between in an assisted living facility that allows for some level of independence.

Many people want to know, “Is a handwritten will valid?” and although the answer is technically yes, there are some factors you should consider before proceeding with one. Holographic wills are permitted in the state of Ohio, with the only requirement being that it’s written on actual paper and that it’s witnessed by at least two people.

In the "Negotiate Anything" podcast, the No. 1 negotiation podcast in the world, Managing Attorney Gregory L. Williams recently discussed "Effectively Delivering Bad News and Managing Emotions" with host Kwame Christian. This conversation covered three critical components that are applicable in the context of estate planning or estate administration.

Many individuals are uninformed about how estate planning works, their available options, and the documents they need to put in place. At The Law Office of Gregory L. Williams, our legal team enjoys guiding clients in the matters of estate planning.

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.