Wills | Wills Attorney Columbus, OH

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Wills

Wills Attorney in Columbus, Ohio

Estate planning is the process of asset management and estate distribution in the event of an individual’s death. While thinking about our assets after we pass away isn’t the best issue to think about now, it is important that we take full consideration of it as soon as possible. With the help of an experienced Columbus estate planning lawyer, probate and estate plans don’t need to be a difficult or painful task.

One of the tools available in estate planning is a will. While wills are very useful, it also takes careful preparation in order to maximize their potential. A correctly planned will is a highly flexible and potent tool for estate planning, but it is underutilized by many interested citizens.

 

Why do I need an Ohio estate planning lawyer?

Our Columbus estate planning attorneys at Sheppard Law Office can help clients successfully plan and create their own Will. Our estate planning attorney can help you create a comprehensive estate plan that best suits your needs. Whether you are writing a simple will or a complex trust, we will help you ensure that your wishes are followed. Through years of experience, our lawyers have gained understanding of the nuances of estate planning and probate matters, so we guarantee that from the planning to court proceedings, we will be able to follow your wishes.

With three locations across Central Ohio, we’re readily available to guide our clients through the legal process, so they can gain the reassurance that their estate affairs are in order with minimal stress and disruption to their loved one’s daily life.

What is a Will?​

A well-written Will is a legal document that ensures the protection of your real estate and assets. It also covers concerns about ownership of your wealth and guardianship for your surviving heirs. This is usually done by writing your intent in a specific Will document and outlining your choices for each important asset. With this preparation, your final wishes will not be cast aside if others try to step in. A proper will should include the following parts:

  • Appointment of an executor or personal representative
  • Appointment of a beneficiary such as a loved one who will be given said assets for inheritance
  • Specific plan on asset management.
  • Guardianship concerns for minor children.

Most of your assets should be noted down for distribution in your will. Some of them will allow for direct naming under your beneficiaries. This could allow you to directly switch the ownership of the estate without any special considerations in the will. Enlisting the legal advice of an experienced wills attorney in Columbus, Ohio can allow you to navigate will preparation in no time. Schedule a consultation now.

Why do I need a Proper Will?

A proper Will can allow your loved ones to undergo a smooth and proper probate law procedure. This is the procedure that happens after your death where the court decides how to manage your assets and properties. Your wealth such as your estate is analyzed in these procedures. The process ensures that the person’s assets are divided correctly between different beneficiaries.

In a proper probate proceeding, the following are usually brought up for consideration:

  • “Payable on Death” or “Transferable on Death” estate documents
  • Properties without valid titles or ownership documents.
  • Inheritance matters such as deceased beneficiaries or other family law concerns.

With a will in place, your executor proceeds in your probate court with your estate plan according to your specific intentions, ensuring that you have a voice in the matter even after your untimely demise. Aside from the emotional incentives for clear estate planning, there are several decidedly pragmatic reasons to set your affairs in order. Each state in the United States has some specific laws revolving around estate administration.

For Columbus, Ohio residents, if an individual dies without having left a Will, Title 21 of the Ohio Revised Code notes how assets will be divided. Given this, your loved one’s decisions may be disregarded because of this provision. This could lead to more issues regarding estate administration moving forward. Having wills and trusts in place ensures that your critical asset decisions remain exactly that: your decision.

Types of Wills

Choosing the most appropriate will for your context will help you identify the size of the plan, the perks that you will need or the limitations that could affect the type of plan. These are the most common types of wills available:

Simple Will

A simple will, as the name suggests, is a simple list of your estate and beneficiaries who will inherit your assets. This type of will can allow you to arrange your executor and guardian for your younger children. Because of its simplicity, these are usually available as forms online.

Joint Will

Usually for couples, this type of will is useful for partners that have multiple joint properties. Because of this special consideration, when one of the pair dies, the other one automatically becomes the executor of the will. While this is extremely useful in speeding up the wills process, it is not as flexible because both parties need to be present in changes to the document.

Living Will

This will is mainly for clients with major health care concerns that need to be addressed if the patient becomes incompetent. This form of will allows you to specify details for your medical care. These are usually brought up in elder law cases where the individuals are noted for incapacity.

To clarify, you are not required to have an estate planning lawyer in crafting your own will. But an experienced attorney in wills concerns can give you legal services to make more descriptive plans, making your will more robust.

Call our Columbus Wills Attorney Today!

Deciding how to manage your estate plan after your passing may feel daunting, and it’s a menial task to set aside. But fixing those important estate planning and will concerns now can save your family members much confusion, conflict, and financial hardship later on.

Attorney Ken Sheppard Jr. is a tax and bankruptcy attorney serving Ohio with offices in Columbus, Newark, and Mt Vernon. He has been serving citizens of Ohio since 2005 and has resolved numerous cases for our clients. His practice areas include tax law, bankruptcy, estate planning and probate law areas.

Our client pool has had their questions answered and their estate planning issues resolved. If you are thinking about getting a will, schedule a free consultation with us to learn more and help you prepare for the future!

Our Estate Planning Attorneys Serve the Following Areas

Sheppard Law Offices, Co., L.P.A. serves individuals, families, and small businesses throughout central Ohio and the state of Ohio. With estate planning and probate offices in the following.

We represent clients in several counties in Ohio, including Franklin County, Delaware County, Licking County, Knox County, Stark County, and Summit County, as well as in communities such as Columbus, Dublin, Upper Arlington, Westerville, Newark, Granville, Utica, Mount Vernon, Massillon, Medina, Barberton, Dover, and New Philadelphia.

Our Columbus Estate Planning Lawyer Can Help!

Sheppard Law Office can make the estate planning process easy for you. Available across any of our four Ohio locations in Columbus, Mt Vernon and Newark, our team of probate, estate planning, and tax attorneys can offer you clear and compassionate legal advice seasoned by decades of practical experience and a deep understanding of Ohio inheritance laws. 

Contact Sheppard Law Offices today to schedule your free consultation.

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