- April 15, 2024
Trust and Will Lawyer Powell, Ohio
Your Powell Estate Planning Lawyer for Trusts and Wills
Jarvis Law Office helps Powell, Ohio, residents plan for the future with wills and trusts.
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Trusts And Wills in Powell, Ohio
Does the notion of estate planning stir discomfort in you? Don’t worry; many people feel the same way.
It’s hard to face our own mortality, especially when making an estate plan. However, it’s risky to get older without having a comprehensive plan in place.
Should you pass away without an estate plan, you’re essentially giving the state of Ohio control over your estate. They will determine who receives your assets and looks after your minor children. Also, they will decide who will take care of you and manage your finances if you are unable to make decisions.
Fortunately, an estate planning attorney can help you maintain control with irrevocable and revocable trusts and wills. A Powell, Ohio, estate planning lawyer with Jarvis Law can also help with special needs trusts and a full range of legal issues related to your estate plan.
What is a Will?
To protect your assets and your family, an attorney with extensive knowledge of trusts and wills will likely counsel you to draft a will.
This document often forms the basis of an exhaustive estate plan, enabling you to decide who inherits your property and who takes care of your minor children. The will only comes into effect posthumously, meaning that as long as you’re mentally competent, you retain control and can amend or revoke it at any time.
After your death, your will has to undergo probate court. Once approved, the executor of your estate will distribute your assets following your directives.
Your estate planning lawyer can assist you throughout this process, from drafting the will to representing your family during probate, relieving your worries about the fate of your estate. However, many people prefer to avoid probate.
Since a will is essentially the instructions for probate, it might not be the best option if you wish to direct the distribution of your assets after death. Probate can be avoided, and a living trust serves as an effective tool for doing so while also providing direction during your lifetime and after your passing.
What is a Trust?
A trust is simply another means of holding your belongings, capable of providing directions for various potential scenarios, thus being more versatile than a will.
A trust is a legal arrangement initiated by an individual, known as the grantor, to safeguard their assets and dictate their distribution after death. It can make the often long, public, and potentially expensive probate process easier for families and beneficiaries.
The trust is spelled out in a legal document that details the terms and designated assets. The grantor assigns a trustee to oversee these assets for the beneficiaries’ benefit. Living trusts can be either revocable or irrevocable, each carrying different tax implications and levels of flexibility.
After reviewing your estate, your trust and will lawyer may suggest a trust. Although there are many options, all trusts consist of three main elements: the creator of the trust, the trustee, and the beneficiary or beneficiaries. When you establish a trust, you transfer assets into it. Depending on the trust type, it may protect the assets from creditors and taxes.
Your lawyer will explain your options, including revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, asset protection, and Medicaid planning trusts. Then, you can decide which option makes the most sense for you and your family.
Top Benefits of Trusts and Wills in Powell, Ohio
- Designate beneficiaries
- Name a guardian for minor children
- Avoid a conservatorship or guardianship
- Protect assets
- Avoid Probate
- Saves time and money
Is It Possible to Cancel a Trust?
You possess the ability to establish a revocable or irrevocable trust. If you opt for a revocable trust, you can serve as the trustee and revoke it whenever you deem necessary. Even an irrevocable trust, often used for asset protection and Medicaid benefits eligibility planning, can be reversed if it aligns with your objectives.
Surprisingly, certain types of irrevocable trusts can be revised. This adaptability is a compelling reason to consider consulting a proficient elder law attorney. Regrettably, a significant number of attorneys and other professionals don’t fully appreciate the flexibility and versatility that can be incorporated into specific types of irrevocable trusts.
An irrevocable trust can provide tax advantages, and it can also help in planning for long-term care by shielding assets from creditors and preventing unrestricted long-term care spend-down.
Consult with your Powell trusts and wills attorney to discern which type of trust would best benefit you going forward.
When Do I Need a Trust and/or Will?
Estate planning is something that can’t be initiated too soon. If you’ve not begun yet, there’s no cause for embarrassment. No matter if you’re a young adult or relishing your retirement, it’s an optimal time to construct a will or trust. Upon setting up the will or trust, it’s essential to frequently scrutinize your estate plan to see if modifications are necessary. Your legal advisor can be of assistance with this. Most importantly, you need to get started!
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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.
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I have worked with Emily at the Jarvis Powell location, and she is very personable and friendly and has “Great” customer service. I would recommend the Jarvis Powell location to anyone who needs assistance with elder care planning!
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Frequently Asked Questions
A will is a legal document that outlines how your property and assets should be distributed after your death. On the other hand, a trust can be used to transfer property and assets during your lifetime or after death. The main difference between the two lies in the legal process involved. Wills must go through probate court, a process that can be time-consuming and costly, whereas trusts can avoid probate court, allowing for a more seamless transition of assets. As a Powell, Ohio, estate planning lawyer, we can help you understand these differences and choose the best option for your situation.
A comprehensive estate plan goes beyond just drafting a last will or setting up a trust. It includes other important legal documents such as a power of attorney and a living will. It also considers the needs of minor children, tax benefits, long-term care, and asset protection strategies. Having a comprehensive plan ensures that all legal issues are addressed and your family’s future is secured. Our Powell, Ohio, estate planning services at Jarvis Law are designed to understand your needs and provide a fully tailored solution.
Revocable trusts, also known as living trusts, can be altered or canceled by the trust maker during their lifetime. Irrevocable trusts, on the other hand, cannot be changed once they are created. Both types of trusts have different tax implications and asset protection features and should be considered in the estate planning process. Under Powell, Ohio law, the assets in an irrevocable trust are not considered part of your estate for tax purposes and are protected from creditors. Revocable trusts allow for more control over assets but offer less protection. As experienced elder law attorneys, we can guide you in creating the right type of trust for your estate.
Probate is a legal process that verifies the validity of a will and distributes assets according to the last will. However, it can be lengthy and expensive. An estate planning attorney can help you set up legal structures such as trusts and joint ownership that can bypass the probate process, ensuring your assets are transferred to your loved ones efficiently. At Jarvis Law, our extensive knowledge of Powell, Ohio, estate planning, and probate laws helps us provide effective probate avoidance strategies.
A special needs trust is designed to benefit individuals with disabilities who qualify for government assistance. The assets in this type of trust do not count towards the individual’s asset limit for these programs, thus preserving their eligibility. If you have a loved one with special needs, setting up a special needs trust can be an important step in securing their future without jeopardizing their benefits. Our Powell, Ohio, estate planning lawyers can guide you through this complex legal process to ensure your estate plans encompass all of your loved ones’ unique needs.
An executor, named in a will, is responsible for managing the estate through the probate process, including paying debts and distributing assets to loved ones and other beneficiaries. A trustee, on the other hand, is appointed in a trust document and is responsible for managing the trust property according to the terms of the trust. Both roles require a high level of responsibility and legal authority. As your trust and will attorneys in Powell, Ohio, we can help you choose the right individuals for these pivotal roles.
Estate planning involves many complex legal issues that require specialized knowledge. An elder law attorney understands these complexities and deeply understands issues specific to older adults, such as long-term care and retirement planning. At Jarvis Law, our Powell, Ohio, elder law attorneys offer comprehensive estate planning services, providing you with peace of mind that your family’s future is in good hands.
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.
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