Medina County Wills and Trusts Attorney 

Law Firm Assisting With Drafting a Will in Wooster and Brunswick

While nobody likes to think about death, it is important for everyone to make preparations to address how matters will be handled after they are gone. A last will and testament is an essential part of any estate plan, allowing a person to decide how their property will be distributed to their heirs and provide instructions for how their last wishes should be carried out.

At The Law Offices of Andrew M. Parker, LLC, our attorneys have more than 21 years of combined experience, and we can help you create an estate plan that addresses your family's needs. Whether you need to create or update your will or utilize other methods to protect your assets and pass them on to your heirs, we can answer your questions. Having a customized plan can provide you with peace of mind about how your affairs will be settled when the time comes.

Creating a Will in Ohio

Under Ohio law, a last will and testament can be created by anyone who is at least 18 years old. The will must be in written form, and the person making the will (known as the "testator") must be of sound mind. The will becomes valid when it is signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses.

A will can contain the following provisions:

• Beneficiaries – The testator may specify how their assets (including physical property, real estate, or monetary funds) will be distributed to their heirs. They may name specific people, charitable organizations, or other organizations as beneficiaries.
• Guardianship – If the testator has any minor children, their will can specify who they would like to care for their children until they reach adulthood.
• Executor – A will should name a person who will carry out the testator's instructions, including distributing assets to heirs and addressing any last wishes. The executor will file the will in probate court and address any legal concerns involved in carrying out its instructions.

If a person does not have a valid will when they die, their property will be distributed to their heirs according to Ohio law. A representative will be named by the court to oversee the distribution of assets. Property will go to the deceased person's spouse and/or children, and if they do not have a spouse or children, it will go to other close relatives, such as parents, grandchildren, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, or cousins. Guardianship proceedings may be necessary to determine who will care for any minor children of the deceased person.

Contact a Wadsworth Estate Planning Attorney

Having a last will and testament in place will not only ensure that your wishes are followed, but it can help your family avoid a wide variety of legal complications after your death. At The Law Offices of Andrew M. Parker, LLC, we can ensure that your will meets legal requirements and contains the provisions necessary to address your concerns. We can also help you determine whether other methods, such as a trust, would be more appropriate for your needs.

Contact our Medina County estate planning lawyers today by calling 330-725-4114. We offer free consultations in most cases. We work with clients in Medina, Brunswick, Wooster, Akron, Wadsworth, Fairlawn, Orrville, Barberton, Rittman, and the surrounding areas.