Columbus estate planning attorneys
A new baby, a new house, a parent's diagnosis, a business that finally turned a profit. Most people call us right after something changes. We turn that moment into a written plan that names the people you trust, protects the people who depend on you, and holds up when it is needed.
Do you need a will, a trust, or both?
An estate plan is a short set of documents that answers three questions: who receives what you own, who is in charge when you cannot be, and who raises your children if you are gone. For many families a will and two powers of attorney are enough. Others need a revocable trust to keep assets out of probate court or to control when heirs receive money.
Serving Central Ohio families since
Wills and trusts drafted or updated (illustrative)
Quoted in writing before work begins
Downtown Columbus and Dublin
You do not need to know which documents you need before you call. The first meeting is a conversation about your family, your property and what worries you. You leave with a recommendation in plain language and a flat fee in writing.
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Read our full guide: will or living trust
Which one fits your family?
Your home and accounts are in Ohio, your heirs are adults you trust with money, and most accounts already name a beneficiary.
You own property in another state, a child or vulnerable heir would inherit, privacy matters, or you want a plan that also works during incapacity.
A financial power of attorney, a health care power of attorney and a HIPAA release, so someone you trust can act without a court.
What does a Whitford estate plan include?
Every plan is drafted for your family, explained page by page, and signed with the witnesses Ohio requires. These are the pieces we build from.
Last will and testamentNames your beneficiaries, your executor and a guardian for minor children.Revocable living trustKeeps funded assets out of probate and private, with a successor trustee ready to act.
Financial power of attorneyLets a trusted agent pay bills, talk to banks and handle benefits if you cannot.Health care documentsA health care power of attorney, a living will and a HIPAA release, signed together.
Beneficiary reviewWe check retirement and insurance designations so they match the plan instead of overriding it.
Deeds and fundingDeeds into the trust or a transfer on death affidavit, recorded with the county for you.How does the process work, start to finish?
Most plans are signed four to six weeks after the first meeting. You always know which step you are in and what comes next.
Trust plans need a little longer afterward to record deeds and retitle accounts. We send a funding list so nothing is missed.
Listen and map
A free first meeting in Columbus, Dublin or by video. We map your family, your assets and your goals. Week 1.
Recommend and quote
You receive a written recommendation and a flat fee. Nothing is drafted until you agree. Week 1 to 2.
Draft and review
Drafts arrive with a plain-language summary. We meet to walk through every page and make changes. Week 2 to 4.
Sign, fund and store
A signing appointment with witnesses and a notary, then deeds and account changes. Originals go in our vault. Week 4 to 6.
Who settles your affairs, and what happens in probate court?
When someone dies owning property in their own name, the estate usually goes through the probate court in the county where they lived. In Franklin County that is the Franklin County Probate Court. The executor named in the will, or an administrator the court appoints, collects the assets, pays debts and distributes what is left. Probate is not a disaster, but it is public, it takes time, and it costs money. Ohio gives creditors six months from the date of death to present claims, so even a simple estate usually stays open at least that long. Planning ahead decides how much of your property has to pass through that process at all.
- Who signs an Ohio will
- You and two competent witnesses
- Where probate happens
- The probate court in your home county
- Creditor claim window
- Six months from the date of death
- Home without a trust
- A transfer on death designation affidavit can pass it outside probate
- No will at all
- Ohio law picks your heirs and the court appoints an administrator
General information about Ohio law, not legal advice for your situation.
When is it time to update a plan?
A plan is only as good as the life it was written for. Any of these is a good reason to call, and a review costs far less than fixing an old plan later.
- 01Marriage or divorce
- 02A birth or adoption
- 03A move to or from Ohio
- 04Buying a home or rental property
- 05Starting or selling a business
- 06A death or falling out with an executor or agent
- 07A child turning 18
- 08A diagnosis that changes the timeline
What does an estate plan cost?
Estate planning is billed as a flat fee, quoted in writing after the first meeting and before any drafting begins. No hourly surprises.
Will package
Will, Financial power of attorney, Health care power of attorney and living will, HIPAA release.
Trust package
Everything in the will package, Revocable living trust, Pour-over will, Deed into the trust and a funding list.
Plan review
Read-through of your existing plan, Written list of what to update, Credited toward any new package.
Illustrative demo figures, not a quote. Every fee is confirmed in a written engagement letter. Recording costs are billed at cost.
Your plan is led by Claire Hollis
Claire leads the estate planning and probate group from the Dublin office. Business owners also meet Evan, and families with an injury claim meet Marcus, so the whole picture stays in one firm.
Estate planning questions
Short answers to what clients ask in the first meeting. Your facts may change the answer, so call us.
Many families do well with a will plus powers of attorney. A trust helps when you own real estate in more than one state, want privacy, want to avoid probate for most of your assets, or want to control how money is released to heirs. We explain both and recommend one in the first meeting.
Most plans are signed four to six weeks after the first meeting. Trust plans need a little longer afterward to record deeds and retitle accounts.
Review it every three to five years and after any marriage, divorce, birth, death, move or major change in assets. A review costs far less than fixing an out-of-date plan later.
We can review their documents and talk through the questions with the family. When another state's law controls, we coordinate with a local attorney there.
Yes. We guide executors and administrators through Franklin County and neighboring probate courts, from the first filing to the final account.
Signings happen in our Columbus or Dublin office with witnesses and a notary provided. We keep the originals in our vault at no charge and give you a complete copy set.
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