Vandalia Will Attorneys
Transportation has been a key element in the success and growth of Vandalia. This transportation journey began with the Old National Trail Road project in 1811. Beginning in Cumberland, Maryland, the project was originally intended to end in Wheeling, West Virginia, crossing an existing trail that carried people from northern points to southern points. In 1825, the Miami Canal was started in Cincinnati, and by 1829 it was open to Dayton, with as many as a thousand passengers a week taking advantage of the Canal.
Once the Miami Extension linked up with the Wabash and Erie Canal, farmers in eastern Ohio could finally get their products to market. Flour, whiskey, pork, apples, nursery stock, and grain were all shopped via the Canal. With a population of approximately 16,000, Vandalia is often known as the Crossroads of America, including I-75 (north-south) and I-70 (east-west). The Dayton International Airport and CSX Railway system are integral parts of Vandalia as well.
Residents of Vandalia—like those across the nation—must sometimes deal with the death of a loved one. Being human means living and dying, yet most of us fail to plan for the time when we will not be here to take care of our loved ones. We get caught up in day-to-day living, thinking we have plenty of time to plan for our future. Unfortunately, having no plan for the future can catch up with us, leaving chaos and misunderstandings behind. Having a strong Vandalia will attorney from Lovett & House can make all the difference in how things turn out when tragedy strikes.
Attorney George Lovett is certified as a specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law by the Ohio State Bar Association. When you choose Lovett & House, you are guaranteed a Vandalia will attorney with the necessary knowledge and expertise necessary to create a comprehensive will that reflects you and your needs. The legal team at Lovett & House can also generate same-day emergency wills, helping those in special situations such as being in a nursing home or a hospital.
The Lovett & House law firm has more than 100 positive Google Reviews, decades of experience, and we offer a unique 5-minute phone appointment. Whether you need a will or a more comprehensive estate plan, Lovett & House can help.
Do Most People Have Wills?
A 2020 Gallup survey found that less than half (46 percent) of all adults in the United States have a will. Adults over the age of 65 are more likely to have a will—almost 75 percent. The survey found that upper-income Americans were more likely to have a will than lower-income Americans (Unfortunately, many of those in lower-income brackets don’t think they have sufficient assets to necessitate a will). The survey also found significant differences in education and race. More college graduates have wills than non-college graduates, and more white Americans have a will than non-whites. About the same number of U.S. adults have a Living Will as those that have a will. A Living Will specifies a person’s preference for medical interventions—or lack of medical interventions—should they become incapacitated.
Why Do I Need a Will?
When you die without a will, you are leaving some very important decisions up to the state of Ohio. This means you have no say in who will receive your assets—and you could cause your loved ones significant difficulties after your death. Your estate will go through probate, whether you have a will or not, but probate will likely be much more complicated if you don’t have a will. The court will have to select an administrator for your estate—and might choose a person you would not have chosen yourself. The following are some of the most compelling reasons to have a will:
- Not only does a will allow you to designate those you wish to receive your assets, but it also allows you to exclude someone. As an example, you might have reasons to disinherit an adult child, or you might want to ensure your ex-spouse receives none of your assets. When you have a will, you can make your wishes clear. Without a will, the state will distribute your assets according to Ohio’s intestacy laws.
- One of the most important functions of a will is to name a guardian for your minor children. While a surviving parent will usually have sole legal custody when the other parent dies, in the event both parents pass away, naming a guardian is extremely important. You can also state how you want your child to be raised, designating the financial resources to assist the guardian.
- If you have pets you would like to provide for following your death, a will can allow you to do so. While you cannot leave assets directly to your pet, you can name a beneficiary for the pet, leaving them with a trusted friend or family member. You can ask that person to take care of your pet, and you can provide money for the care of the pet.
- Virtually everyone has digital assets today, including online accounts, social media accounts, photos, videos, domain names, digital files, and more. A will allows you to name a digital executor who will manage those assets after your death. You can leave your digital assets to certain individuals or name a person to manage the digital assets.
- Your will can be used to continue to support your charities and create a lasting legacy. You—like many people—may want to leave a positive impact on the world, even after you are gone. You can preserve your legacy by leaving certain assets to your favorite charitable organization.
- If your family is complicated—and whose isn’t?—you have even more reason to have a will. Your family will not have to guess or argue about how you intended your assets to be distributed when your wishes are clearly stated in your will. Ambiguity can create friction and arguments that sometimes last a lifetime.
- You can leave instructions for your funeral and burial in your will. Although such instructions may not be legally binding, they do give your loved ones some guidance regarding your wishes.
- A will gives you peace of mind, knowing you have left your assets in good order and clearly explained your wishes for your loved ones.
What If I Don’t Have a Will When I Die?
If you have no will when you die in Ohio—and you have no surviving children—your property will be transferred to more distant relatives. Since charities or friends are not considered heirs under Ohio’s intestacy laws, they cannot receive your assets. If you do have surviving heirs, those you would not want to inherit your assets could do so, as the state will follow the law to determine who inherits. Without a will, the state will also appoint a guardian for your children—again, someone you might not want to raise your children.
How a Lovett & House Vandalia Will Attorney Can Help
It’s important that you not put off making important preparations for yourself and your loved ones. One way this can be done is through a will. Creating a will can give you peace of mind and the knowledge that your assets will be distributed as you wish. A Vandalia will attorney from Lovett & House can help ensure you have documents in your estate plan that will precisely express your wishes—including a will.
Attorney George Lovett is certified as a specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law by the Ohio State Bar Association. Not only can Lovett & House create a comprehensive will for you, based on your situation, your needs, and your wishes, but we can also generate a same-day emergency will. Contact an experienced Vandalia will attorney from Lovett & House today.