Columbus Will Lawyers

Wills Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

Elder Law attorney specialists with OVER 63 YEARS of experience.

No one likes to think about their own mortality. Unfortunately, it’s something we must all eventually face. However, wouldn’t it be better if you didn’t have to constantly worry about what happens when you’re gone?

Proper estate planning and will writing can give you this peace of mind. Of course, it’s important to ensure these legal documents are properly crafted so their provisions are valid. A wills lawyer in Columbus, Ohio can help you with this requirement and many other tasks involving estate assets.

At Lawrence Law Office, our estate planning attorneys are committed to giving our clients the comfort of knowing their wishes will be honored. We’ve seen what happens when someone dies intestate (i.e., without a will) in Ohio.

In many instances, surviving family members are left arguing over the last wishes of their loved ones. This can lead to litigation, and if this happens, the courts could make decisions that the deceased would’ve never made themselves. This is why it’s so important to work with a legal professional.

Contact our Columbus, OH wills attorneys today for assistance.

What Are the Requirements of a Will in Ohio?

The requirements of a will in Ohio can vary based on your goals. For instance, a last will and testament is very different from a living will. However, they both must typically be in writing and signed by the testator. Each also must include the signatures of two witnesses. However, they differ in certain respects as well. For instance, living wills need to identify a healthcare proxy rather than beneficiaries.

In a last will and testament, the testator will also need to designate an executor. This is the person who will carry out the directives listed in the will. The named executor will handle probate matters — including settling debts and dispersing funds. However, it’s important to realize that all these decisions could be invalid if certain requirements aren’t met.

For instance, in addition to having witnesses and being written and signed, such wills are only valid if created by an individual over the age of 18. The person must also be of sound mind when creating the will. As such, this legal document might not be valid if you suffer an incapacity before creating it. This is why it’s so crucial to contact a wills lawyer in Columbus, OH while you still can. Our law firm is here to help.

Does Ohio Recognize Handwritten Wills?

No one wants a dispute to arise involving their assets or decisions when they’re gone. Such disputes can lead to estate litigation, and this could be a burden on the loved ones we leave behind. However, many people think they can save money on the estate planning process by simply handwriting their own will. Handwritten wills — also known as holographic wills — are legal and valid in Ohio. However, they must meet the requirements of any other will to hold up in probate.

This means a holographic will must still be witnessed and signed. While this might not sound like a difficult task, most legal professionals advise against handwritten wills. They’re much easier to challenge in court, so the risk simply isn’t worth the reward. And since other legal requirements must still be met, having a wills attorney in Columbus, OH draft this legal document will always be the most ideal approach to estate planning.

Whether your will is handwritten or typed and signed, simple mistakes can prove costly. This is true whether you have substantial wealth or just a single bank account with very few assets. Don’t risk some of the most important decisions in your life — because mistakes in estate planning have effects that will last long after you’re gone. Contact our law firm today for assistance.

Contact Our Wills Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio Today

Perhaps you want to ensure your grandchildren are well taken care of, or maybe you never had a single child but want to ensure your decisions remain your own. Regardless of your circumstances, having a last will and testament in place is critical. Without one, the state of Ohio will end up making decisions on your behalf — and in many cases, these could be decisions you never would have agreed to. Death isn’t fun to think about, so why not get your estate planning needs handled now so you can focus on life?

At Lawrence Law Office, we’re ready to assist. We can craft all the legal documents to ensure that probate goes smoothly once you’re gone. Even better, we can provide assistance in keeping certain property and assets out of probate process altogether.

Whether you want to ensure your holographic will is valid or are at the earliest stages of estate planning, our estate planning attorney can guide you through the process and ensure your wishes are known and respected now and in the future.