Contact Us: 937-372-3584
No matter your age, it’s never too early to create an estate plan and make your wishes known.
Protect your family after you pass with an Estate Plan. If you die without a will, the state will intercede without any effort to keep tax liability down or to disperse the estate as you would have wanted. At Peterson & Peterson, LLC., we work with our clients to avoid this scenario. With proper estate planning and the guidance of our Beavercreek & Xenia, OH estate planning lawyers, you may benefit by minimizing taxes and providing direction as to how your estate will be divided. With a carefully constructed estate plan, you might help your family avoid the unpleasantness of contested wills or estate litigation. Call to schedule your initial consultation today!
Are Your Affairs in Order?
Having a plan in place can make a difference when it comes to the possibility of your death or incapacitation. We can help you understand if a will, trust, or other estate planning option will sort out your property, assets and wishes. Our estate planning services include assistance with:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Healthcare Directives
- Power of Attorney
- Probate Administration
- Heirship Disputes
- Recovery of Assets
- Estate/Guardianship Litigation
Probate Administration
Probate is a confusing process, but at
Peterson & Peterson, LLC, we hope to help bring you into compliance with any pertinent legal requirements. Every county in
Ohio consists of a probate court that is tasked with overseeing the administration of the property of a deceased person. Each transaction involved in the probate administration process could be subject to examination by the court as well. Probate administration services can involve many intricacies and legal details. Count on our
Beavercreek & Xenia, OH probate lawyers to help simplify the process and help ease the burden off you. When you’re suffering the loss of your loved one, we offer our caring and professional service.
Contact us to schedule an initial consultation.
Additional Probate Issues Can Involve:
- Certain marriage licensing questions
- Adoptions
- Involuntary commitment of a person with mental illness
- Guardianship decisions
Powers of Attorney
A power of attorney is among the most important estate planning documents you need when getting your affairs in order. A power of attorney is a legal document that gives another person (the “attorney-in-fact” or “agent”) the legal authority to make decisions regarding the principal's finances, property, healthcare, tax, or legal affairs. Having a power of attorney ensures that you choose a person who will act on your behalf when you are unavailable or unable to handle your own affairs. If you are thinking about drafting a power of attorney, you need to speak with our knowledgeable estate planning attorney for detailed guidance. We offer you the support and advocacy you need to establish your power of attorney and make key decisions.
Types of Powers of Attorney in Ohio
General Power of Attorney gives the agent the power and legal authority to act on the principal's behalf in almost any matter. The agent can manage personal finances, open financial accounts, enter into contracts, and purchase or sell a real estate property.
Limited or Special Power of Attorney allows the principal to specify certain matters that the agent can act upon on their behalf. The limited power of attorney can grant the agent authority to make bank withdrawals, a single transaction, or sell certain pieces of property or belongings.
Healthcare Power of Attorney allows the agent to make decisions about the principal’s medical care should they become mentally incompetent, unconscious, or otherwise unable to act.
Springing Power of Attorney becomes active when a certain event occurs, as specified in the POA document. Such an event may be when the principal becomes mentally incapacitated.
What is the Difference Between Wills & Trusts?
Our Beavercreek & Xenia, OH estate attorneys can help you understand the differences between your estate planning options. Many of our clients have some confusion over the difference between a will and trust and which one will benefit them more. We will discuss the distinctions between a will and trust:
Wills
Wills are written with the purpose of directing the dispersal of a person's property at death and can also identify the person who should be named guardian of any minor children. When written carefully, these documents may prevent painful and drawn-out contested guardianships.
Trusts
Trusts are written to establish who will be responsible for managing property with the intent to benefit another. Trusts can be used to avoid probate, to limit estate taxes, to ensure support for a disabled or disadvantaged family member, or to provide equitable distribution of assets of blended families. We work with clients who hope to create trusts and those who are facing trust litigation.
Have Additional Questions?
Feel free to visit our FAQs page or contact us to book an initial consultation. During our initial consultation, we can review your estate and provide our recommendations on valuable estate planning tools that can benefit you and your family.