Helping you fulfill your cycle of life.
Probate Estate Administration Guardianship

Adoption is the gift of life.
Birth Mother Adoptive Parent Stepparent

Comforting your family is our goal.
Custody Foster to Adopt Surrogacy

Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney.
Estate Planning

We would love to help with your Probate, Adoption, Family Law & Estate Planning Needs

Columbus, Ohio Probate, Estate Planning & Adoption Law

Since 1989, Attorney Thomas Taneff has been committed to helping individuals and families in Columbus and throughout the State of Ohio with legal issues, using his vast experience, resources, and legal skills to deliver the best possible results. We provide adoption services to birth mothers and adoptive parents, and legal services to couples and individuals on matters pertaining to custody, surrogacy and foster parenting. Our estate planning services include drafting documents such as wills and trusts, and we can guide families through the probate and estate administration process following the passing of a loved one. In addition, we have experience with court appointed guardianship proceedings.

Adoption Attorney Columbus, OH

Probate Law

The laws that govern an individual’s estate are complex and can be very confusing. At our firm, we create legal, flexible and precise estate plans to ensure families are protected and assets are distributed per our client’s wishes. However, when the need arises, we provide experienced advocacy to help families through the probate process. We work to obtain will settlements and resolve estate disputes efficiently and effectively so that the family can grieve and move on.

Probate

If you don’t have a legal plan in place before you die, your estate may end up in probate court. As a former Probate Court Magistrate, we have extensive experience with estate plans and probate proceedings, drafting wills, trusts and other documents, and he fully understands the probate laws in Ohio. It’s best to make sure your family is protected and your assets are distributed per your wishes. Unfortunately, not everyone has a will. If this is the case, we can help surviving family members through the probate process.

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Estate Administration

When someone dies, all his or her possessions, such as money, stocks and bonds, property, personal effects, etc., become part of an estate. Estate administration is the act of managing the estate based on the deceased’s wishes. The administration of a person’s estate can be overwhelming, especially when a family is grieving the loss of a loved one. We can handle all of the estate administration procedures including verifying the will, collecting assets, determining debts and paying creditors, filing estate taxes, and distributing the remaining assets accordingly.

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Guardianship

When a person cannot take care of themselves, whether due to a physical impairment or mental disability, the Probate Court can appoint a guardian to oversee his or her financial and legal affairs. Not just for elderly care, court appointed guardians also care for disabled children, or manage monetary inheritances or life insurance policy payouts for minors. If you have a concern about a guardian, we can help you contest an application for guardianship, or file breach of fiduciary duty claims against a guardian if you suspect he or she is mismanaging or stealing funds.

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Adoption Law

We have helped find loving and nurturing homes for thousands of children. As a former Probate Court Magistrate, Thomas has heard adoption cases and ruled on them. His dedication and excellence in the field of adoption earned him the 2005 Congressional “Angels in Adoption” Award. We carefully screen prospective adoptive parents and work closely with birth mothers who may then choose the perfect home for their babies. We offer compassion, experience and the utmost level of competence in adoption services to hundreds of adoptive parents and birth mothers across the entire state of Ohio. Our firm also provides professional advice and guidance to families building their family through adoption or surrogacy.

Looking for Adoptive Parents

If you’re pregnant and considering adoption, or you’re just not sure what to do, we have the answers you need to make the decision that’s right for you. We have helped birth mothers find loving homes for their children for almost 20 years. We have the knowledge and experience to design an adoption plan customized to your specifications, whether you want an open adoption, closed adoption or something in between. We screen all prospective adoptive parents and have them pre-approved via a home study. Our adoption services are strictly confidential and we’re available 24/7. We can even arrange your medical care, ensuring you deliver with the doctor of your choice.

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Adoptive Parent Adoption

Adoptive parents open their hearts and homes to provide children with the safety and security they may not otherwise have, but the adoption process can be an emotional rollercoaster. Many adoptive parents have already spent years trying to have children of their own, experiencing heart break along the way. We understand that the decision to adopt a child is one of the most important you will ever make. As a private adoption agency, we offer legal services to prospective adoptive parents to meet your family’s needs before you adopt, as well as throughout the lifelong journey of adoption.

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Stepparent Adoption

Adoptive parents open their hearts and homes to provide children with the safety and security they may not otherwise have, but the adoption process can be an emotional rollercoaster. Many adoptive parents have already spent years trying to have children of their own, experiencing heart break along the way. We understand that the decision to adopt a child is one of the most important you will ever make. As a private adoption agency, we offer legal services to prospective adoptive parents to meet your family’s needs before you adopt, as well as throughout the lifelong journey of adoption.

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Family Law

We understand that sometimes there are situations that require the services of an attorney to help a family evolve and move forward, and we will act as your trusted adviser when these situations arise. As a family law attorney, we counsel individuals, couples, and families on matters including child custody, visitation agreements, child support, adopting a child from foster care, egg or embryo donation, and surrogacy. When you call us, we’ll take time to listen to your concerns and identify a legal plan that addresses your objectives.

Custody

When it comes to child custody arrangements, the ultimate goal is to serve the best interests of the child. Getting custody isn’t always easy, and trying to figure out the legal system on your own can be difficult and confusing. If you’re in the process of seeking custody, we have years of experience with the Juvenile Court and Children’s Services. Our legal services include petitioning for custody, modifying existing custody agreements, setting up or amending child support arrangements, and modifying visitation agreements.

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Foster to Adopt

It’s an exciting time in a foster parent’s life when deciding to adopt a foster child, however, foster care laws can make it difficult to understand how a child transitions from foster care to foster parent adoption. When individuals or couples choose to legally make a foster child their own, they need to navigate through the confusing court process and paperwork. Our office will help guide and advise you through the entire Juvenile Court process. From filing the initial petition in court to completing paperwork to preparing you for a home study, we’ll help you and the child transition under your care.

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Surrogacy

Surrogacy is a great option for individuals and couples who are unable to conceive or carry a child. If you are considering using a surrogate to start or expand your family, we can help you understand the complicated and evolving laws that pertain to assisted reproduction. We can handle all the legal work, such as drafting, reviewing, negotiating and filing legal agreements and paperwork. From egg or embryo donation to in vitro surrogacy, we’ll explain your rights, manage all the legal work, and even help you select a surrogate.

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Estate Planning

As an estate attorney, Thomas firmly believes that everyone should have an effective estate plan in place. During 20 years in practice for probate and estate administration, we’ve seen many families in distress at the passing of loved ones who did not leave them comprehensive plans for the handling of their estate. It doesn’t matter if you have a high net worth or live humbly, a carefully constructed estate plan protects your surviving family members, helps to avoid excess taxes, and ensures your wishes are carried out.

Call (614) 241-2181 today

At our firm, we offer a free initial telephone consultation.
We are available 24 hours a day, every day. We will answer your questions and help you make the right decision about how to proceed.

10.0Thomas Taneff