Probate is the court-supervised process of declaring a deceased person’s will valid, taking inventory of the decedent’s assets and paying all debts. It is also called estate administration. Once a decedent’s creditors are paid, the remaining assets are distributed to beneficiaries according to directions left in the will and other estate planning documents.
A person typically designates in their will a spouse, child or another trusted individual to steer an estate through the probate process. This person is known as the executor. If you have been named as the executor of an estate in Ohio, it is wise to enlist the assistance of an experienced probate lawyer who will make sure the proper steps are followed. Mistakes in probate can expose an executor to liability and legal action.
At The Law Offices of Nicholas A. Kulik, LLC., we help people in Hamilton County and throughout southwestern Ohio navigate the probate process. Our experience and decades of service to the region provide clients assurance that their estate is in order and their loved ones are protected.
Some assets do not need to go through probate because they pass directly to beneficiaries who are named in legal documents. Common examples include a home or another property that is jointly owned through rights of survivorship, bank accounts or retirement accounts, and life insurance policies. Often, a decedent holds assets that do not pass through probate and assets that do.
We assist individuals with all phases of estate administration, including:
In Ohio, a legal petition to change someone’s surname is processed in the probate division of the Court of Common Pleas. Name changes result from adoption, including stepparent adoption, divorce and other personal reasons.
Our focus on family law means we are routinely involved in helping people legally change their name.
If you have been named executor of an estate, we are ready to assist you. We help prevent legal disputes that can prolong the probate process and deplete an estate’s holdings. Call 513-417-0927 or use our book an appointment for a consultation.
.png){kind=icon}