Estate Planning Services in Akron and Summit County

Comprehensive Estate Planning Solutions

We can help you devise a Will, establish appropriate Trusts, and in suitable situations protect your estate from unnecessary state and federal taxes with an Estate Plan tailored to your unique needs. With proper estate planning, we can help you protect your family and achieve your personal goals in the face of illness, incapacity, or death.

Our estate planning services include:

• Last Will and Testament
• Living Trusts and Testamentary Trusts
• Financial Powers of Attorney
• Healthcare Powers of Attorney
• Living Wills and Advanced Directives
• Beneficiary Designations
• Estate Tax Planning Strategies
• Asset Protection Planning

Why You Need a Will

There are numerous important reasons to have a properly drafted will, including:

• Direct Property Distribution: Specify exactly how your property should be distributed upon your death, particularly family heirlooms or items of special meaning
• Designate Your Executor: Choose who should be appointed as executor of your estate to manage the administration process
• Grant Powers: Give your executor the authority to sell certain property or continue to conduct your business operations
• Save on Bonds: Request that your executor serve without bond, generally saving that expense for the estate
• Appoint Guardians: Designate a guardian for any minor children to ensure their care and well-being
• Create Trusts: Establish trusts to provide for minor children until they reach a certain age, or direct probate assets to an already existing trust

Ohio Will Requirements

In Ohio, as in most states, there are specific statutory requirements for wills to be valid:

• Must be made by an adult of sound mind and memory (age 18 or older)
• Must be in writing
• Must be properly witnessed according to Ohio law
• Must be signed by the testator (person making the will)

There is a limited exception applicable only in certain circumstances involving a person's final illness (nuncupative wills), but these are rarely applicable and have strict requirements.

Living Wills & Healthcare Directives

Financial Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, and Healthcare Powers of Attorney are often essential parts of a well-designed estate plan. These documents ensure that your wishes are respected if you become incapacitated and unable to make decisions for yourself.

• Living Will: Specifies your wishes regarding life-sustaining treatment
• Healthcare Power of Attorney: Designates someone to make medical decisions on your behalf
• Financial Power of Attorney: Authorizes someone to handle your financial affairs