Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Estate Planning legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Ohio Estate Planning Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law and Elder Law for Ohio on
Q: How can I get power of attorney from an uncooperative parent?

He is showing signs of dementia. He has no money other than social security. My brother and I are trying to get power of attorney to handle his business but he is becoming suspicious of our motives. We need to get him help but he is refusing. We have no money to help him

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Jun 24, 2024

Talk to social security about becoming the representative payee. If SS is the only income, then you may not need the POA or guardianship to pay the bills as rep payee. If this doesn't work, then you may need a guardianship.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: can you change revocable trust with a notarized letter?
Nicholas P. Weiss
Nicholas P. Weiss pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 22, 2024

The settlor of a revocable trust can change the trust even without a notarized letter. It just needs to be in writing and signed by the settlor, although notarization or witnessing is best practice.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Antitrust, Arbitration / Mediation Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My father died and my stepmother has sent me a bogus will I believe there's no signature or no stamp mark.

Should the heirs of my father have received a copy of the will from some reputable attorney firm we live in Ohio Father lived in Pike county Alabama we're having trouble since we're states apart finding a attorney that can represent us in this matter.

Nicholas P. Weiss
Nicholas P. Weiss pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 17, 2024

Unfortunately an Ohio attorney is not going to be able to help you here. Because you father lived and died in Alabama, his will and estate will be probated there and be subject to Alabama law. Good luck in your search!

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: Mom died in hospital after stay in a nursing home, which no one signed for. NH never filed a claim, 4 yrs+ suing benefic

As executor atty & probate judge said they didn’t file proper claim by year 2, now they are suing the beneficiary-after trying to sue me (executor) is this legal? My mom was NOT on Medicaid, she was covered by Medicare, which stopped halfway through her stay, even though her condition had... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on May 1, 2024

Ohio's Medicaid Estate Recovery program has authority to recover assets of the decedent to repay for the services they paid for.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: I am the beneficiary of a trust fund. The trustee claims I was only gifted net interest on the principal.

There is HEMS clause where he has authority to use the principal furthermore he stated that ultimately the principal goes to charity when it’s plainly written it goes to my daughter.

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Apr 22, 2024

You may want to engage an attorney to explain your rights under the trust instrument. The exact language used by the drafter is critical here.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: Does dower rights come into play with a divorce and inheritance property in another state?

Spouse doesn't have access to inheritance property which is a rental in another state. Spouse doesn't have access to rental bank account. Spouse is not on the deed.

Does a Trust have to be created in the state where you reside?

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Apr 16, 2024

You need to speak to a divorce attorney to discuss your rights.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Estate Planning and Family Law for Ohio on
Q: In the state of Ohio If me ex wife is remarried or if I filed bankruptcy on her, is she still entitled to the payment
Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Mar 16, 2024

Without more context this question is impossible to accurately answer. If the payment is spousal support it depends on the wording of the decree. Generally, domestic relations support orders are not dischargeable in bankruptcy. The remarriage may be a termination of support, but only if... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: May I use a TOD affidavit to transfer a life estate to a current spouse on a solely owned property?

She is my 2nd wife. After her death, I would like the remainder interest to pass to my biological children, not hers.

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Mar 11, 2024

I believe that you may use a TOD affidavit to transfer a life estate to one person and the remainder to another person(s). See R.C. 5302.23(6).

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My mom passed away recently. I was on her bank account as POD and listed as TOD on her home, which is now in my name.

I have since closed the bank account but now I am trying to buy her vehicle that she owed $8000 on before her death. When I file probate paperwork (I’m executor of the estate) to try and get the car, do I need to list all of her assets like the house and money that was in her account even though... View More

Beverly A Stull
Beverly A Stull
answered on Mar 7, 2024

You only list those assets that are probate assets. Anything passed by a TOD or POD or a joint owner is not a probate asset.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Sister was removed as guardian d/t malfeasance. Can our family forgo guardianship and return to my power of attorney?

My sister was removed as guardian recently. I was the power of attorney before her guardianship. We have had many issues with the courts and feel it is too expensive and time consuming. Is it possible to re-enact the power of attorney document or should I apply for guardianship?

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Feb 21, 2024

If the POA is durable, then you may be able to terminate the guardianship due to there being a less restrictive alternative available. I recommend asking your attorney about this.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Ohio on
Q: Does the wife need to file a will and/or ask for summary release from administration in Ohio for a very small estate?

My husband died three weeks ago, leaving a will with me as sole beneficiary and executor. Cremation is fully paid for, and there are no children, no previous marriages, his family are all deceased. My husband's house has already been transferred to me by a Transfer on Death affidavit, so no... View More

Beverly A Stull
Beverly A Stull
answered on Feb 4, 2024

ProSeniors is correct. From your description, the only asset you would have to probate is the $40 bank account and it would cost more to probate it than it is worth.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation and Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: How can I see an old estate case that has absolutely zero information visible on the court records online?

This is about my father who died in 1981. He was a founder of a major company. I can't find anything at all about him anywhere. Not even an obituary, news about his accident, his marriage to my mother, nothing about his estate. I was a month old when he died and I found what looks like a trust... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
Nicholas P. Weiss pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 16, 2024

That date pre-dates most archived electronic probate dockets. You will likely need to either 1) request that the docket related to the case be sent to you or 2) go to the court to obtain copies of the documents yourself.

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Estate Planning for Ohio on
Q: What information is required of a person to be named a beneficiary, other than their name?

They live in Texas, are not related to me, and state their attorney requires certain information. I am concerned about a swindle. Are there any instances that require more information than a name? Will they need my SSN? Bank account info? Etc.?

Beverly A Stull
Beverly A Stull
answered on Jan 10, 2024

It is likely that they would ask your name and address, so that they can keep you informed regarding the estate. They should not ask confidential information like SSN, bank accounts, etc. If something they asks makes you uncomfortable, don't do it.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: What information has to be in a POA to allow real estate transfers? Does each property have to be individually listed?
Beverly A Stull
Beverly A Stull
answered on Dec 26, 2023

The POA does not have to list individual properties. It should say something similar to "to lease, rent, manage, contract to sell, sell, or convey real estate by deed or any instrument".

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My father passed away in early November 2023. I've filed with the probate court to be named administrator. What else?

theres another sibling involved who is still residing in the home and I need them out. Water and electricity are shut off and it is uninhabitable. How do I get them out of the house? What are my next steps?

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Dec 20, 2023

Here in Ohio the answer depends on a number of factors. Being appointed the administrator of the estate is a good first step. If the sibling has established residency you may need to commence eviction proceedings to get them to leave.

All in all, I recommend sitting down with a qualified...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Elder Law for Ohio on
Q: 80 yr. old, on Medcaid and in nursng home. No income/assets. I need a letter to send to the credit cards. Please share

I need a template Judgement Proof Letter for credit debt. No estate and no assets.

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Dec 11, 2023

Why do you need to send them a letter?

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Ohio on
Q: What type of lawyer is estate and tax ? A beneficiary of a grantor trust for page 41 1041 instructions explain W9

We do not get income Bank ignores

Grantor trust and w9 requestor instruction

The IRS will send you a notice if the payee's name and TIN on the information return you filed do not match the IRS's records. (See Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Matching, next.) If you... View More

Andrew Popp
Andrew Popp
answered on Dec 7, 2023

I'm not sure a question is posed here. A Tax/Estate Attorney specializes his or her practice on those areas of law. The Internal Revenue Code is obtuse at best, as can be the rules governing many Trusts. It sounds like you need to sit down with such an attorney to review the Trust and the... View More

View More 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.

View More Answers

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

Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.