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Ohio Estate Planning Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: Can a trustee of a Ohio irrevocable trust be replaced without their knowledge even by grantor? If so by who?

I was removed from Mother's trust as trustee to a beneficiary without any knowledge. Mother cannot or will not give information if she is aware of what's happening. A previous beneficiary is now Trustee.

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Nov 27, 2023

Read the trust instrument first. If there's no mechanism to remove the trustee in the trust instrument, then you need to look to title 58 of the Ohio Revised Code for authority. I think you would be wise to buy an hour of time with an attorney to discuss this.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Guardianship of a minor and estate if one parent died, and the other lived I can't see the whole case? Court has no info

My dad died when I was a month old. His wife, my mom lived. In the county court there is no information at all except guardianship of a minor and estate but that is all it says. He was the incorporator and he started a business that is extremely successful today and ran by my mom's family. My... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Nov 21, 2023

You need to talk to a local attorney for help. I recommend Trent Stover in Sidney, OH.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Are we going to lose the house?

My great grandfather passed away over 10 years ago without a will. Assuming the next of kin would get the property my grandmother never did anything with the deed. She never put the house in her name or anything and has been staying there ever since. The property tax has been “exempt” because... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Nov 15, 2023

Please get a hold of a real estate litigator in your town. It sounds like you need more advice than this forum can provide. Your question does not contain facts that are crucial to analyzing this issue. Has there been an action filed against the property owners? How was the property titled?... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law and Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: My wife and myself had “Durable General Power of Attorney”, “Appointment of Health Care Representative”, “Living Will…….

..Declaration”, and “Last Will and Testament” documents created in 2007 while residing in South Bend, IN. Since then we have changed residency to West Chester, OH. Are we required to update/modify these document to our change of residency?

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Oct 30, 2023

Under the US constitution, those documents are enforceable in all other 49 states. However, some documents (particularly the healthcare directives) should be looked at. In Ohio, most attorneys use forms approved by the Ohio State Medical Association and that's what most healthcare providers... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: State of Ohio. Can I write my own will? Does it have to be filed at courthouse?
Nicholas P. Weiss
Nicholas P. Weiss
answered on Oct 25, 2023

You can write your own will. So long as two witnesses sign it it will likely be valid. You can, but do not have to, file the will at the courthouse. We often recommend that clients do file their will with the probate court to avoid later will contest actions.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My grandmother died and still had my dad who passed away listed in her will. Will I inherit his share of inheritance?

Will his share be divided between his other siblings? Since they are also listed on the will. I’ve seen mixed answers online.

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Oct 18, 2023

The language of the will is critical here. Does it address a predeceased child? If not, then R.C. 2107.52 will apply.

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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law, Personal Injury, Estate Planning and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: Is a livein partner responsible if leave disabled partner home alone for unknown period of time and injuiry occurs?

Dad disabled and live in girlfriend left for a couple days-ish. She calls from cell and asks for well check. Deputies get there & break in - he unconscious & unresponsive on floor and covered from head to toe in dog feces. Dried, not fresh-yet the puppy they have is not anywhere to be... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Oct 15, 2023

There is just too much baked into this question. The roommate, based on this description, does not have a specific duty to your father. I am certain that the police will look into this matter too find out what she knew and when she knew. The answer to those questions would impact my answer.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Estate Planning and Child Support for Ohio on
Q: Can I dismiss an exparte order for custody that I jumped the gun on filing without it looking bad on me
Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Oct 6, 2023

A dismissal and a refile on an ex parte motion will not look good, but proceeding on a factually insufficient or incorrect motion will look worse.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My late mother left 12 CD's and only listed the great grand kid's (minors) as beneficiaries. Now we can't access the $.
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 20, 2023

In Ohio, if minors are designated as beneficiaries on financial instruments like CDs without specifying a custodian, complications can arise. Under the Ohio Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA), assets can be transferred to minors with an adult custodian managing them. If no custodian was named,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: How can i read someones will? My godfather always said that i was on his will but after he died his daughter say I’m not

He was from puerto rico

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 6, 2023

Certainly, in order to read someone's will, you should follow a legal process that typically starts by locating the will, consulting with an attorney who specializes in probate and estate law, and filing for probate if required. The will reading itself is not always a formal event but rather a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My father died recently and I have no contact with my siblings. Is there a way to find out what is in his estate?

I live in a different state and he was a not married.

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answered on Aug 28, 2023

In the event of a person's passing, their estate typically goes through a legal process called probate. During this process, the assets and debts of the deceased are evaluated, and their estate is distributed according to their will or the state's intestate laws if there is no will. To... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: My dad does not have an updated will. He has listed my brother and I as beneficiaries on his retirement accounts.

Will my brother and I receive the inheritance that way? He is married to a woman that is not our mother and plans ot leave her his house and other assets. I am trying to get him to set up his will, but if he died tomorrow, would we receive money from the accounts we are beneficiaries to? We reside... View More

Beverly A Stull
Beverly A Stull
answered on Aug 25, 2023

You will inherit anything that lists you as a beneficiary. A will only controls assets that go to probate court, which are assets not jointly owned, having no beneficiary, or not in trust.

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: Is it illegal to write someone's will the way their wife wants it wrote?

Is it illegal to write someone's will the way their wife wants it wrote?

Is it illegal to write someone's will the way the state would distribute things instead of writing it the way the deceased wanted it wrote?

Does a wife have any say in how her husband's will is wrote?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jul 26, 2023

Ultimately, it is up to the testator (the person who is signing the will) to give clear instructions to the attorney preparing the will as to what the testator's wishes are. The testator may, but is not required to, consult with his wife and may or may not honor whatever she thinks he should... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Is a lawyer allowed to give money out of the estate before the case is closed?
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answered on Jul 12, 2023

The distribution of assets from an estate typically occurs after all debts, taxes, and expenses have been paid, and any necessary court approvals have been obtained. This ensures that the estate's obligations are properly settled and that the beneficiaries receive their rightful share... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Can my dads will legally not be followed?

My dad passed away and has a will that states to sell the house that he co owns with his ex wife to put for his funeral expenses. His new current wife is refusing to follow the will she is here on a green card from the Philippines. She is first in his paperwork but I am also listed that if she is... View More

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Jul 3, 2023

You will have to file an action against the new wife in probate court. Has the will been admitted to probate yet? IF not you may even be able to get yourself named as executor. Regardless, you should hire an attorney in your late father's county who regularly practices probate litigation.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: What's the next steps after Judgment Entry Approving Inventory
Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Jun 28, 2023

Generally, you need to pay the administrative costs, creditors, taxes, and beneficiaries, and then file a final account. Be careful...you could be personally liable if you don't do it right.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: My mom died before my grandmother do we get what our mom would've inherited from our grandmother in Ohio?

There was no will and my mom has 2 brothers and one sister still alive in Ohio

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Jun 20, 2023

Hello, more information is needed in order to answer this question. It sounds like you might, but a full analysis needs to be completed pursuant to Section 2105.06 of the Ohio Revised Code to make that determination. I recommend sitting down with a qualified attorney who can assist you and advise... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: In a trust if it says all assets to be split does that include savings and checking even with a TOD in place on them?

The trust doesn’t mention any certain assets just says all assets to be split. But the checking and savings have a transfer of death to someone else and they are saying it’s all theirs.

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on May 28, 2023

Trusts only control assets that are inside the Trust. As Mr. Toron said, if an account is owned by a Trust and has a POD/TOD designation, that will not do anything as Trusts do not "die."

For a review of Trust assets and to determine how they will get to a beneficiary I highly...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: dad lives with his gf of 20 years. They are both on the house title. What happens when one of them passes away?

Dad bought house with gf they are both on the title. Gf paid mortgage and dad paid electric bills, maintenance, for updates like flooring. He has cancer, if he passes away who does the house go to. My dad wants us his 2 children to have his assets. What does he need to do to ensure that?

Moshe Toron
Moshe Toron
answered on May 18, 2023

If the deed is held with rights of survivorship with his girlfriend, then his girlfriend will inherit the house if he dies first.

He needs to get an attorney to change the deed, while he is still alive.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: What kind of lawyer handles, when next of kin do not agree on cremation for a loved one?

My loved one supposedly wanted to be cremated and I think they didn't. My state requires all surviving living children to sign a document agreeing. I do not agree with the cremation.

Moshe Toron
Moshe Toron
answered on May 15, 2023

Probate attorney.

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