Cuyahoga Falls Estate Planning Lawyers

Contact A Cuyahoga Falls Estate Planning Lawyer Today

Estate planning is often something that we put off until later – no one wants to think about what will happen when they die. Unfortunately, too many people put it off until it’s too late, leaving their family and loved ones trying to sort out some rather complex issues. That’s why it’s so important to have your affairs in order long before you are no longer able to able to provide the guidance they need. 

The estate planning attorneys at Niekamp, Weisensell, Mutersbaugh & Mastrantonio, LLP have the knowledge and experience you need to meet all of your estate planning needs. We work with clients in Cuyahoga Falls and across the state of Ohio. If you would like to meet with us and learn about how we help our clients prepare for the future, contact us today. 

Why You Need to Plan for the Future

Estate planning is important because it provides peace of mind and financial security for those we love. Nothing is more difficult for your friends and family than trying to sort out your affairs while dealing with the grief of your loss. Careful estate planning can help avoid disputes, protect your financial assets, and take care of those who are closest to you.

One of the things that people worry about the most is what will happen to the assets they have worked so hard to acquire over their lifetime. When someone dies without a will or other estate planning documents, your assets will be distributed to your heirs according to Ohio’s intestate succession laws.  

What Will Happen to Your Assets Under Ohio Law?

Ohio’s intestate succession laws dictate how your estate will be distributed in the absence of a will or other estate planning documents. It’s important to understand that there are no exceptions – you can’t ask a court to ignore the law simply because it is unfair or produces an undesirable result. The bottom line is that you give up control over your estate if you don’t do any estate planning. 

Here is how Ohio law mandates your estate will be distributed if you die without a will: 

• Your entire estate will pass to your spouse, regardless of whether or not you have children;
• If you have no spouse, your entire estate will pass to your children in equal shares;
• If you have no spouse or children, your entire estate will pass to your parent.
• If you have no spouse, children, or parents, your entire estate will pass to your siblings in equal shares.
• If you have no living relatives, your entire estate will go to the state of Ohio. 

Of course, there are some other variations if your family situation is more complex. The point is that you will have no control over the disposition of your estate unless you have legal documents that direct how your estate should be distributed. 

Estate Planning is More Than Just Wills

Many people think estate planning is limited simply to wills. While wills might be sufficient in some circumstances, estate planning can involve several different arrangements, documents, and proceedings beyond drafting a will and the administration of wills. We handle the following types of estate planning services for our clients: 

• Drafting wills and creation of trusts
• Asset protection and transfers
• Powers of attorney for both financial matters and healthcare
• Long-term health care and special needs planning
• Guardianships
• Elder law
• Living wills
• Business succession
• Probate and estate administration

Niekamp, Weisensell, Mutersbaugh & Mastrantonio, LLP – Estate Planning Lawyers in Cuyahoga Falls

The estate planning attorneys at Niekamp, Weisensell, Mutersbaugh & Mastrantonio, LLP provide our clients with creative solutions to all of their estate planning challenges. Contact us to discuss your needs and how we can help you.