Probate Attorney in Kettering, Ohio
The first time most Kettering residents encounter probate court is when a loved one passes away. At this point, the family is struggling to cope with the grief and trauma of losing a loved one at the same time as dealing with the legalities of administering the estate.
Sadly, for some families, the estate process will be much more difficult because their loved one died without a will. This added stress does not need to happen. Drafting a will and an estate plan is not as difficult as you may believe, especially if you have an experienced, compassionate, and dedicated estate planning attorney guide you through the process.
The Kettering estate planning attorneys of Lovett & House can help you design an estate plan that protects your family and your assets when you are gone. Call (937) 909-0770 to learn how simple it is to give your loved ones the peace of mind and comfort they need in one of the most trying times of their lives.
What is the Probate Process in Kettering, Ohio?
The probate process in Kettering is the same as it is throughout the state. Ohio has a unified Probate Code that applies to all counties within the state. Probate is simply the legal process of administering a person’s estate once that person has died. The probate process involves:
- Securing the property of the deceased person;
- Receiving any payments owed to the person (i.e. rents, interest payments, dividends, tax refunds, etc.);
- Identifying heirs and beneficiaries;
- Identifying and inventorying property;
- Reviewing claims against the estate to determine if the claims are valid;
- Paying valid debts of the decedent and the estate;
- Filing a final state and federal personal tax return and an estate tax return, if required;
- Distributing assets according to the terms of the will; and,
- Filing a final accounting with the court.
Some estates are more complex than other estates and may involve additional steps. It often helps to retain the services of a probate attorney to assist in probating an estate, especially if the person died without a will, the estate has substantial assets or debts, or an heir is contesting the validity or the terms of the will.
Probate is necessary because it is the legal process of giving an administrator the authority to close accounts, pay debts, and transfer property of the deceased person. Without a probate case, the administrator may not have legal authority to perform all tasks required to settle the financial affairs of the decedent.
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.
-
"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.
-
"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.
-
"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.
-
"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.
-
"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.
-
"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.
-
"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.
-
"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 if There is No Will?
If the person died without a will, his or her estate must still go through probate to identify heirs, pay debts, and distribute property. However, Ohio intestate laws govern the probate process when a person dies without a will. Instead of the person making the decisions about how his or her property will be disbursed and who will receive property, the laws of Ohio decide that for the person.
An intestate probate case can take longer and cost more because of the additional steps required by intestate law that may not be necessary when the deceased had executed a will before his or her death. Dying without a will also poses other problems including:
- A friend, charity, and some blood relatives may not inherit from your estate;
- You cannot provide for the care and upkeep of a pet;
- Minor children may inherit substantial sums when they turn 18 years of age;
- The court chooses the guardian and conservator for minor children;
- You have no say in who manages your estate;
- Heirs may not receive specific items that you intended for them to receive from your estate; and,
- Heirs may argue about what you “intended” because there is nothing in writing stating your wishes.
Fortunately, all the above issues and more issues can be addressed and avoided by simply having a will and a comprehensive estate plan.
Call Today for Peace of Mind
We want to help you gain peace of mind for yourself and your family. Contact Lovett & House by telephone at (937) 909-0770 today schedule an appointment with an experienced Kettering probate attorney.
