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Estate Planning in Westerville, Ohio

Do you know that passing away without an estate plan is called dying “intestate?” In this case, the state of Ohio gets to decide on the distribution of your assets. If you’re a parent to minor children, their guardian will be appointed by the state. To avoid this, get in touch with a trusted Westerville, 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 Westerville estate planning lawyer finishes, 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 Westerville, Ohio, estate planning lawyer will customize your service. Common 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 how extensive your estate is, your attorney may suggest that you prepare both a will and a trust. A will allows you to plan for your estate’s future after your death, including who will receive your assets and care for your minor children. Your will has to pass through probate before your beneficiaries can receive your assets. Wills are only valid post-death, so that you can modify or revoke them at any point. Your Westerville, Ohio, estate planning attorney can aid you in drafting a new will or amending an existing one.

A trust also lets you choose who will receive your property after you pass away and how they receive their inheritance. Trusts have various benefits, including privacy. Unlike wills, they don’t go through probate, so your assets don’t have to become a matter of public record. Numerous types of trusts serve different purposes, including the ability to protect your assets from the extraordinary cost of long-term care or to shield assets from creditors. Your Westerville estate and elder care planning attorney can advise you on the type of trust you need, if applicable.

Healthcare Power Of Attorney

Your Westerville, Ohio, estate planning lawyer can help you create a healthcare power of attorney. This lets you nominate a person who can make choices on your behalf if you’re unable. If you become incapacitated, this individual will act for you.

It’s vital to put together a healthcare power of attorney now, even if you’re currently well. Then, if an incident occurs, all the paperwork will be ready, preventing your family from needing to seek court permission to make choices. By establishing this document now, you can name decision-makers and beneficiaries.

In choosing who will take over decision-making, pick someone you trust to respect your wishes and act in your best interests.

Support Children With Special Needs

A Westerville, Ohio, estate planning lawyer can help you in caring for a child with special needs. Parents usually create a special needs trust. This way, children with special needs can receive monetary and other forms of assistance without sacrificing their vital government benefits. There’s a fine balance between providing for your child and inadvertently causing them to lose these critical benefits. Seek counsel from a Westerville estate planning lawyer to ensure your child has sufficient resources now and for the future.

Asset Protection

Interested in securing your assets for the forthcoming generation? Your Westerville, Ohio, estate planning and elder care attorneys can create a strategy to protect your assets. This could encompass the formation of a business entity, the creation of a domestic asset protection trust, or drafting a tailored approach to meet your specific asset protection needs. After a comprehensive review of your circumstances and discussing your aims, the lawyer can propose the best strategies for moving forward.

Your Ohio Business Succession Planning Lawyer
Your Ohio Business Succession Planning Lawyer
Your Ohio Business Succession Planning Lawyer

Why Choose Jarvis Law Office?

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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 irrevocable 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 dies. 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 important to include a succession plan in your estate plan. This ensures a smooth transition and operation of the business 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 and 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.

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