Wills Attorney in Englewood, Ohio
Even though a will is the most basic document in an estate plan, only about a third of all adults in the United States have a will. Many people without a will or an estate plan of any kind claim they don’t have enough assets to warrant a will. This is a common misconception—that only the super-rich can benefit from an estate plan. Individuals who survived a case of Covid are more likely to have a will than those who did not. The number of 18-34 year-olds who have chosen to implement estate planning since the pandemic began has increased by about 50 percent, but the pandemic didn’t seem to have much effect on estate planning among older adults.
While only a third of all U.S. adults have a will, more than half believe it is important—they just haven’t gotten around to it. Having a will is about so much more than simply the value of your assets. It is about ensuring your loved ones are taken care of following your death. The last thing you want is to leave those you care about with a financial and legal mess when they should be allowed the time to grieve. If you are considering a will or an entire estate plan, the attorneys at Lovett & House are waiting to help ensure you get all your questions answered in a comprehensive manner.
Your Family's Peace of Mind is Priceless
Read Our Former Clients' Five-Star Reviews
Our compassionate and through approach to Estate Planning makes a real difference in our clients' lives. Read reviews in their own words below.
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"The Best Customer Service"George and his crew provide the best in customer service and have an outstanding work ethic. They have always been there to help us when needed!- Mark S.
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"He Made It Easy"Bill was very friendly, knowledgeable, and kind. He made Estate Planning fun, fast and easy. We both feel relief to know our wishes are spelled out and our assets are protected!- Sherry C.
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"Peace of Mind"He explained each step 100 percent. He takes the time to talk WITH you, not TO you. I am so thankful I went to his seminar and took advantage of the free consultation.- Rosa S.
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"Made It Easy to Understand"George Lovett made our estate planning easy to understand and informative. He used our personal information to create a plan that was tailor-made to us.- Pamela O.
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"Expertise & Attentiveness"We were very pleased with the service, expertise, and attentiveness we received. We are glad that we choose Lovett & House for this.- Pat D.
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"A Pleasure to Work With"George Lovett has helped my family tremendously. He always explained our options and took care of us with the utmost professionalism.- Marlene W.
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"Easy to Understand"They made it easy to update our estate planning needs. All our questions were answered in easy to understand language and we didn't feel overwhelmed.- Rita S.
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"Very Helpful"he Estate Trust planning was easy to do with the Lovett & House. George H. Lovett and William H. House were very knowledgeable and helpful.- Judith A.
What Are the Ohio Requirements for a Will?
For your will to be valid in the state of Ohio, you must be at least 18 years of age at the time you sign the will and must be of sound mind and body. This means you have a full understanding of what it means to make a will and are not doing so under duress of any kind. Your decision to execute a will cannot be the result of coercion, or improper persuasion by another person or persons. An Ohio will must be in physical form—in writing or typed and printed out. While a digital copy of your will could certainly be saved on a computer, there must be a hard copy for it to be considered valid.
There are only a few limited circumstances in which the state of Ohio recognizes an oral will—usually only if the will-maker is dying and does not have the time to prepare a physical will. The will must be signed in the presence of at least two competent witnesses, who will also sign the will. The witnesses must be at least 18 years old and should be “disinterested” parties, meaning they have nothing to gain from the contents of your will.
Notarization of your will is not required in the state. Handwritten wills are acceptable, however, a handwritten will must satisfy all the same conditions as a typed will. You will name an executor in your will who will manage your probate estate and carry out the wishes in your will. The executor must be at least 18 years old, and of sound mind. For practical reasons, your executor should live in Ohio, but this is not a legal requirement.
How Can an Experienced Englewood Will Attorney from Lovett & House Help?
It is important that you not continue putting off making a will. Plan for the future, then sit back and relax, knowing you have taken care of those you love. Call Lovett & House today for the help you need to set your will and estate plan in motion. We are eager to hear from you and answer any questions that have been troubling you. Our attorneys are knowledgeable, experienced, and highly skilled. We are also relatable and easy to talk to.
Contact Lovett & House today to have a will prepared that accurately reflects your unique concerns.
