Probate, Estate & Post-Mortem Trust Administration
Compassion and Experience When You Need It Most
Losing a family member is never easy and managing the actual emotional loss can consume your everyday life. Additionally, many important legal decisions must be executed within a specific time frame while you are busy grieving. The dedicated attorneys of R. F, Meyer & Associates can ease the burden of grieving families by guiding you through the potentially complex Ohio probate and estate administration process.
If you have recently lost a loved one, please click here to read “What to Do When Someone Dies.”
What is Probate?
Probate is a legal proceeding to administer certain kinds of property (called probate property) owned by someone who has died (the decedent), and to see that claims, expenses and taxes are paid.
What Does Probate Involve?
Probating an estate requires the appointment of a person to conduct the administration of the estate. If there is a will, this person usually is named in the will and is called an executor. If there is no will or no person is named in the will, this person is appointed by the probate court and is called an administrator. The executor or administrator may be an individual, a bank or a trust company.
The executor or administrator takes care of the following tasks:
Securing all property of the decedent
Receiving payments due the estate, including interest, dividends and other income
Collecting debts, claims and notes due the decedent
Determining the names, ages, addresses and degree of relationship of all heirs
Determining the names, ages and addresses of all beneficiaries, if there is a will
Investigating the validity of all claims against the estate and paying all outstanding obligations including federal, state and local estate and income taxes due by law
Planning for federal and state taxes and preparing and filing estate tax returns when required
Carrying out the instructions of the probate court pertaining to the estate and distributing the assets of the estate to the heirs. are properly paid, and that the remaining estate is distributed to those entitled to receive it under the decedent’s will or Ohio law
Avoiding Probate
With proper estate planning, it is possible to avoid the probate process altogether. Contact R.F. Meyer & Associates to learn how to create an estate plan that is right for your family.
Our trusted attorneys handle all aspects of probate and estate administration process including:
Full Estate Administration Testate
Full Estate Administration Intestate
Small Estate Administration spouse (under $100,000)
Small Estate Administration non spouse (under $35,000)
Estate / Guardianship Medicaid Planning
Estate / Guardianship Special Needs Trust Creation
Trust Administration
Non-Probate Trust Administration
Non-Probate Asset Transfers
Estate Tax Returns
Fiduciary Income Tax
Adversarial Estate / Trust Cases
More questions?
Find additional information about Probate Law, Estate and Post Mortem Trust Administration, please click here to read “Probate & Estate Administration in Ohio – Frequently Asked Questions.”