Estate Planning
Estate Planning Attorney Lancaster Ohio
Get Legal Help with Estate Planning
Creating an estate plan ensures your wishes for the future are carried out, including what happens to your assets and who gains custody of your dependents. The probate law experts at Taneff Law can assist with estate planning so you’re better prepared for the future. An attorney at our practice will explain the law and why a plan is so important, what you should include in your plan, answer your questions, and help you create an estate plan that clearly states your wishes. Our estate planning lawyers have years of experience serving the Lancaster, OH community. Contact us to learn how we can help you, too.
Asset Protection, Custody of Children, and More
An estate plan lists your instructions for what should happen to your estate in the event of your death. Your estate includes:
- Property you own (like your home or vacation home)
- Personal belongings (like vehicles, clothes, furniture, and other items inside your home)
- Wealth (like the money in your savings account, checking account, and investments)
It may also include business assets if you own a business or are a sole proprietor.
Your estate plan states who you want to inherit each asset. This information is written in legal documents such as a will, trust, and power of attorney. Estate planning is important because it provides asset protection – without a plan in place, the law states that other people are responsible for deciding what happens to your belongings.
Probate is the process of validating a will (if one exists), appointing an executor, and administering an estate, including asset distribution. If you have a will, the law says that the probate court will review it after your death to determine if it’s legally sound. If so, your executor can then distribute each asset in your will. If you die without a will, the law says that probate court will appoint an administrator to manage your estate and distribute each asset in accordance with probate law in Ohio. Creating an estate plan with help from attorneys knowledgeable in probate law is the best way to control what happens to your money and belongings in the future.
Professional Estate Planning Services
The attorneys at Taneff Law offer professional estate planning services and probate law expertise near Lancaster, Ohio. We will help you create an estate plan based on your unique needs, including a will, trust, and other documents as needed. With an estate plan in place, your family members won’t have to worry about deciding what to do with your belongings, and probate can be a much smoother process.
Wills
A will is a document that explains what you want to happen to your personal items, property, and dependents upon your death. Wills state how your property and belongings should be distributed. If you have dependents, such as minor children, wills can also state who will receive custody of your dependents. The probate court will determine whether or not your will is valid. Once it’s proved valid, your items can be distributed. Contact Taneff Law for help creating wills.
Trusts
A trust is an agreement that allows a third party – called a trustee – to hold onto your assets on behalf of the beneficiary. After a set amount of time (determined by you), the asset(s) will be given to the beneficiary. You might, for example, create a trust for a sum of money that will be given to your child when they turn 18, 21, 25, 30 or later. A trust allows you to control how and when your money or belongings are distributed. Plus, a trust is not included in the probate process, which is a huge advantage. The Taneff Law team can help you create a trust.
Powers of Attorney
Power of attorney (POA) is a document that allows you to grant someone else (the “agent”) power to make decisions on your behalf. These may be decisions regarding your property, finances, or medical care. POAs typically include general power or limited power. General power allows the agent to make decisions about any matter, as long as it’s allowed by Ohio law. Limited power allows the agent to make decisions about specific matters only. This may sound similar to elder law, which deals with the rights and medical needs of elderly people. However, having a POA is important at any age and may prevent the need and additional cost of a legal Guardian if you were suddenly unable to make decisions. Contact Taneff Law to learn more about POAs.
Work with Probate Attorneys in Lancaster, Ohio
Estate planning is easier with help from Taneff Law attorneys. We’re experts in probate law and the probate process, familiar with elder law, and we know what needs to be included in a legally sound estate plan. Our attorneys will help you understand the law and the important elements of an estate plan, draft documents, and make sure your wishes are clearly expressed.
No matter your age, net worth, or marital status, planning your estate is important. It helps ensure each asset is given to your loved ones per your wishes, gives your family peace of mind, and helps you avoid unnecessary taxes. Taneff Law is proud to serve Central Ohio, including Lancaster and Fairfield County. We look forward to helping you with your probate law needs.
Meet Thomas Taneff
Thomas Taneff, principal of Taneff Law, has more than 35 years of experience practicing law and is a former Probate Court Magistrate. His areas of law practice include estate planning and administration, probate law, adoption law, family law, and more. Thomas Taneff was elected as an Ohio Super Lawyer from 2011 through 2023 and is in the top 5% of attorneys in Ohio. You can feel confident in the expertise of everyone in our Franklin County law office.
Contact Us
Protect your wishes for the future with help from the lawyers at Taneff Law.
Contact us at (614) 241-2181 or contactus@tanefflaw.com to learn more about our law services in Ohio.
250 S. Civic Center Drive, Suite 610
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: (614) 241-2181 | Fax: (614) 241-2160
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