As you work on your estate plan, much of your focus will be on what will happen to your assets when you die. Who will get the money in your accounts, your home, your antiques and more? Increasingly, many of our assets are digital. Some have monetary value. Many don't,...
Probate and Estate Disputes
What is inheritance theft?
Inheritance theft takes many forms. It's often not as simple as someone taking possession of a deceased loved one's wedding ring from the hospital or walking out of the house with a set of fine china because it was "promised" to them. Too often, it's the people...
Certain actions call for a removal of a trustee from their role
Individuals who set up trusts do so to protect their funds from being overtaxed, easily squandered and to protect a loved one's eligibility for government benefits such as Medicaid. It can be unnerving for you to find out that your trustee isn't carrying out their...
Should I contest my relative’s will?
Your rich relative died and left everything to charity. You were hoping for a windfall. Can you contest the will? In some cases, it may be possible, but not just anyone can contest a will. Only those who have legal standing and who are financially and personally...
Common examples of unintentional executor misconduct
Most people who are chosen to be executors of a loved one's estate aren't estate planning attorneys. However, they have legal obligations under Ohio probate laws. You don't want to run afoul of those laws. Unfortunately, some people unknowingly engage in what is known...
What are reasons that the executor of an estate can be removed?
An executor is someone who the testator (the person drafting a will) appoints to pay their final debts, preserve the value of their assets and to distribute those assets upon their death. Estate planning attorneys generally advise their clients to pick someone who is...
Are doctors obligated to follow your health care directives?
Individuals draft health care directives to clearly spell the types of medications or life-saving care that they'd want to receive if they became unable to verbalize those same decisions for themselves. It's commonplace for a doctor to ask a patient or their loved...
Could an auction eliminate any chances of an estate dispute?
In trying to plan around potential estate disputes, you realize that children probably are not going to fight over money. You plan to split it all up equally. Instead, any disputes will likely settle on sentimental items and things that the children have an emotional...
The responsibilities of an executor of an estate can be daunting
While being asked to be an executor of someone's estate is something that most will only be asked to do once or twice during their lifetime, it's a role that carries with it a tremendous responsibility. When you're appointed to the role, it's your responsibility to...
4 reasons heirs might challenge a will
For many people, the first step in estate planning is simply writing a will. As important as this is, that will may not stand up in a court challenge if your heirs contest it. Below are four different reasons they may do so: There's a newer will Generally speaking,...