Estate Planning Lawyer Ohio
Your Ohio Estate Planning Lawyer
Jarvis Law Office helps client families create estate plans that allow them to maintain control in the event they become incapacitated, address healthcare needs, and honor their wishes after they pass away.
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Estate Planning In Ohio
Did you know that if you pass away without an estate plan, you will have died “intestate?” That means the state of Ohio will choose what happens to your assets. Even worse, if you are a parent of minor children, the state will determine who will become their guardian. Instead of letting the state of Ohio make these important choices for you, contact a trusted Ohio estate planning lawyer.
Jarvis Law Office understands that estate planning isn’t the most comfortable topic, and we make the process as painless as possible. Once our Ohio estate planning lawyers finish, you will feel a sense of relief. It’s much easier to face the future when your estate plan is in place.
What’s Involved In An Estate Plan?
Our Ohio estate planning lawyer will customize the service for you. Standard components include:
Your estate plan will protect you today and in the future. Contact an estate planning attorney today for more information.
Wills And Trusts
Regardless of the size of your estate and what you want to happen when you pass, your attorney might recommend that you draft both a will and a trust. A will allows you to outline your intentions for your estate when you pass away. This includes who will receive your assets and care for your minor children. Any assets going through your will must pass through probate before your beneficiaries receive the assets. Because wills are only valid when you pass away, you can modify or revoke the document at any time. Your Ohio estate planning attorney can help you draft a new will or update an existing one if you wish.
A trust also allows you to choose who will receive your property after you pass away and how they receive their inheritance. Trusts have various benefits, including privacy and control over how your beneficiaries will receive their inheritance. Unlike wills, trusts don’t go through probate, so your assets don’t have to become a matter of public record, and you don’t have to pay the high fee for probate. You can also add more specific rules for how your beneficiaries can access the assets you leave them, such as including age restrictions. There are numerous types of trusts, and one that we often use in our firm is an Asset Protection Trust which is specifically designed to protect your assets from the extraordinary cost of long-term care or to shield assets from creditors. Your estate and elder care planning attorney can advise you on the type of trust you need, if applicable.
Healthcare Power Of Attorney
Your Ohio estate planning attorney will also help you draft a healthcare power of attorney. You can choose a person who will make decisions for you if you cannot do so. Then, that person will act on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
It’s essential to draft a healthcare power of attorney now, even if you’re in good health. In fact, we recommend that anyone over the age of 18 have a healthcare power of attorney. Then, if something happens, your family can immediately step in and won’t have to petition the court to make decisions for you.
Also, by creating the document now, you’ll have the power to name decision-makers. When selecting who will step in to make decisions, you should choose someone you trust to act in your best interest and honor your wishes.
Support Children With Special Needs
Your Ohio estate planning attorney can also help you care for a child with special needs. Most often, parents set up a special needs trust. Then, children with special needs can receive money and other forms of assistance to supplement their income without losing access to crucial government benefits. There is a delicate balance between supporting your child and unintentionally impacting their eligibility for these critically important benefits. If you don’t plan ahead and your special needs child receives an inheritance outright in their personal name, they run the risk of losing their income, healthcare, and other benefits. Consult with an attorney to ensure your child has ample resources now and in the future without jeopardizing their eligibility for the necessary benefits.
Asset Protection
Do you want to protect and preserve your assets in the event you need in-home or long-term care in the future? Paying for in-home care or long-term care can be extremely expensive and can deplete your savings in a matter of months or years. Getting the best quality care is essential. It is also important to remember that Medicare won’t cover the cost of most long-term care stays.
Unless you have long-term care insurance that will cover the daily cost, you will likely need to pay out of pocket or apply for benefits to help supplement the cost of your care. Planning today to protect your home and savings if you need long-term care in the future is necessary, and time is the most important factor that determines how much we can help you save.
For the best results, you need to work with an Ohio elder care attorney for at least five years before you need care. Your Ohio estate planning and elder care lawyer can develop an asset protection strategy for you. This might include forming a business entity, creating a domestic asset protection trust, or drafting a custom approach to address your asset protection needs. After reviewing your situation and discussing your goals, the attorney can recommend the best strategies for moving forward.
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Why Choose Jarvis Law Office?
- Free Consultation – Discuss your needs during a complimentary consultation with Jarvis Law Office. We can consult virtually, so you don’t have to visit the office.
- High Satisfaction Rate – Our clients have left reviews praising our knowledge, experience, and helpfulness. We have a track record for high-level service and customized solutions.
- Focused Practice Areas – We focus exclusively on the area of elder law.
- Three Convenient Locations – We have offices in Lancaster, St. Clairsville, and Dublin, making it easy to reach clients throughout Central and Southeast Ohio.
- Free Events – Our firm offers free events for Ohio residents. These events cover essential estate planning issues, such as how to pay for long-term care while protecting your assets.
- Family First – We’re focused on family. Our family (yes, we employ several family members in the firm) is protecting yours.
Testimonials
I have worked with Emily at Jarvis Lancaster location and she is very personable, friendly and has “Great” customer service. I would recommend Jarvis Lancaster location to anyone who needs assistance with elder care planning!
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Frequently Asked Questions
An estate plan is a collection of legal documents that outlines how your assets should be distributed upon your death. It’s crucial for protecting your family’s future, ensuring your wishes are carried out, and potentially avoiding probate. Without proper planning, your estate may be subject to lengthy and costly legal processes. As experienced estate planning attorneys, we at Jarvis Law can guide you through this process to ensure your loved ones are protected.
It’s never too early to start estate planning. Major life events such as marriage, childbirth, starting a business, or considering a business succession plan can often trigger the need for an estate plan. However, it’s wise to have a plan in place even if these events haven’t occurred. At Jarvis Law, we offer free consultations to help you understand the importance of early and comprehensive planning and estate administration.
At Jarvis Law, we recommend a comprehensive estate plan that typically includes a last will and testament, revocable living trust or asset protection trust, financial power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, and living will. We always adapt our approach based on the unique needs of our clients. Our estate planning and trust administration services include drafting all necessary documents and ensuring they reflect your wishes accurately.
Absolutely. Elder law issues often intersect with estate planning, especially regarding long-term care and Medicaid planning. Our team of skilled elder law attorneys has deep experience in estate planning, elder law, and probate law to protect your loved ones during their golden years. As attorneys experienced in estate planning and elder law, we can help navigate these complex areas, safeguarding your or your loved one’s rights and assets.
The probate process is the legal procedure for administering an estate after someone passes away. The probate process typically involves multiple steps, as many as six, and can be lengthy, costly, and very public. However, proper planning, including the use of revocable or irrevocable trusts established by an experienced estate planning attorney, can help with probate avoidance and minimize the time and expense tied to probate while ensuring your family’s future is protected.
Yes. If you own a business in Ohio, it’s essential to include a succession plan in your estate plan. This ensures a smooth transition and operation of the company upon your retirement or death. Succession planning doesn’t have to turn into something resembling a fraught TV drama.
Jarvis Law’s legal services extend to business succession planning. The attorneys in our business law and estate planning practice areas have extensive experience. They will work closely with you to develop a comprehensive succession plan that aligns with your overall estate plan and will protect assets and your family members.
Living trusts, whether revocable or irrevocable, hold your assets during your lifetime. Then, upon your death, these trust assets are transferred directly to the beneficiaries without going through probate. This can speed up the distribution process and maintain privacy. At Jarvis Law, our attorneys are skilled in establishing and managing trusts as part of a comprehensive estate plan.
There are many benefits to establishing a trust. But there are also considerations you should be aware of before setting up a trust. Revocable trusts and irrevocable trusts differ slightly with regard to tax-shelter benefits, how they can be modified, and the estate administration. So, speak with one of the experienced estate planning lawyers at Jarvis Law, who can help you understand the differences and make the best estate planning choices for you and your family members.
Without proper planning, your loved ones may face additional legal and financial hurdles during an already difficult time. By working with our experienced Ohio estate planning attorneys at Jarvis Law, you can ensure that your wishes are honored and your family is taken care of according to your plan.
Yes. You can easily schedule a free consultation with one of the experienced attorneys in our estate planning services division by calling (740) 660-6069 or filling out the form on our website. Our team of central Ohio estate planning lawyers is readily available to address any legal issues or concerns you may have and guide you through the process of establishing a comprehensive estate plan.
Please note that the information provided here is general in nature and should not be considered legal advice. It is recommended to consult with an attorney from Jarvis Law Office to obtain personalized advice based on your specific circumstances.