Probate, Estate Planning and Adoption Attorneys

The Attorneys at Taneff Law

Thomas Taneff has worked in probate, estate planning, estate administration, and adoption services throughout his entire legal career. As a former Franklin County Probate Court Magistrate and in nearly two decades of private practice focusing on probate and adoption law, Thomas has learned these specific legal areas from every possible perspective.

Thomas Taneff is the principal of Thomas Taneff Co., LPA. He has been practicing law for over 30 years and has been involved in over 10,000 matters. He has also handled over 5,000 adoption and/or surrogacy related cases. Thomas earned a Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School and a Bachelor of Science from The Ohio State University. He also completed a post-graduate program at the Harvard Law School.

He focuses his practice on:

• Probate
• Estate Administration
• Estate Planning
• Guardianship
• Adoption
• Birth Mother Adoption
• Surrogacy
• Foster Parent

 

Thomas was a former judicial law clerk under the Honorable Probate Judge Richard Metcalf and then served as a Franklin County Probate Court Magistrate.

Tommy is proud to announce being elected as an Ohio Super Lawyer from 2011 through 2021. Tommy is included among the top 5% of attorneys in Ohio, and among the most highly regarded attorneys in the profession. Ohio Super Lawyers selection process includes peer nominations, a blue ribbon panel review and independent research of candidates.

He is a recipient of the 2005 Congressional “Angels in Adoption” award for his commitment and dedication to improving the lives of children through his adoption work and the 2005 United States Congressional Adoption Award. He is a member of the Columbus Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. Thomas was a member of former Ohio Governor George Voinovich’s Adoption Task Force and Commission that rewrote the Ohio adoption code to help safeguard adoptions. He also sat on the Franklin County Children’s Services Adoption Committee, which was responsible for removing age and race as factors restricting Ohio adoptions.

Thomas is regularly featured on local TV stations WBNS-TV, WCMH-TV, and WSYX-TV for stories pertaining to both probate and adoption issues. He also frequently writes a Law You Can Use column for numerous Ohio newspapers. Thomas has also been used by the Columbus Dispatch as an expert in stories they have done on adoption. He is a frequent lecturer at Capital University Law School, both the Columbus and Ohio State Bar Associations, and numerous central Ohio hospitals.

Thomas is a former trustee of Jewish Family Services and The Ohio State Board of Cosmetology. He served as a New Albany Village Councilman for nearly ten years.

Taylor Sayers is an associate of Thomas Taneff Co., LPA., who has been practicing law since 2014. She focuses her practice on:

• Custody
• Adoption
• Child Placement
• Guardianship
• Probate
• Surrogacy
• Estate Administration

Taylor received her Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University’s Michael E. Moritz College of Law, earning a Certificate in Children’s Studies and a Public Service Fellowship with Recognition. She scored in the top 1% in the United States on her LSAT, as well as in the top 1% in Ohio on her Bar exam. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies.

During her time at Ohio State, Taylor served as co-president for Advocates for Children and as managing editor for the Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law. Her professional experience in children’s services reaches back to 2010, when she interned for Adopt America Network.

Taylor’s legal career began in 2011, when she served as an intern for Wood County Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

In her spare time, Taylor enjoys playing with her beloved puppy, Jovie.

Tina French Tina French joined Thomas Taneff Co., LPA in 1996 and has been with them for more than 22 years. She is the firm’s Certified Legal Assistant. She assists the attorneys with all facets of Probate, Adoption, and Surrogacy law. Her efforts keep the office organized and focused on the client’s needs. She prepares and coordinates filings throughout the State. She also has experience preparing complex cases for trial.

Mrs. French is focused on listening and then communicating effectively with clients, opposing counsel, and other consultants. She understands no two cases and no two clients are the same. She works to provide each client with the time and attention they deserve to assist them with patience throughout the legal process.

Mrs. French is married and has two young daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, movies, and playing computer games.