Estate Planning & Probate Law

We are here for you.

Helping You Navigate All Areas of Probate

At Shew & Dixon Law Office, we help our clients in Middletown, OH, navigate and understand the probate process using a gentle and proactive approach. We understand the challenges you and your family may currently be facing, and if you’re looking for a probate attorney to help, we’re ready to guide you every step of the way.

Icon-Understanding-Estate-Planbing-Probate-Services

Understanding Probate

Probate is the legal mechanism through which the distribution of a deceased person's estate is determined.

A skilled probate attorney plays a crucial role in offering legal counsel, advice, and necessary services for the appointed executor, administrator, or personal representative handling the decedent's affairs. Our team will collaborate with you to ensure the settlement of debts and taxes, while also overseeing the distribution of the remaining estate in alignment with the wishes of the departed.

Navigating Probate in Ohio

In the state of Ohio, navigating probate involves a comprehensive series of steps essential for effective estate management. Our legal experts are dedicated to guiding executors through each stage, ensuring a seamless probate process.

Initiate the administration by filing necessary documents with the court.

Contact beneficiaries and heirs.

Obtain a tax ID for the estate to fulfill legal requirements.

Establish a dedicated bank account for the estate.

Conduct a thorough inventory of estate assets.

Facilitate asset sales when necessary.

Prepare and file federal and state income tax documents for the deceased.

Compile fiduciary accounting for accurate financial records.

Execute the distribution of assets according to legal guidelines.

Conclude probate proceedings through meticulous documentation.

Icon-Estate-Planbing-Probate-Services

Our Estate Planning & Probate Services

Wills

A will is a legal document that establishes how you would like to distribute your property, assets, and bank account after you pass away. Additionally, this document allows you to designate guardians for your children should something happen to you.

We also create living wills to ensure your end-of-life-wishes are fulfilled if you’re ever physically or mentally unable to express those wishes in the future.

Trusts

Unlike a will, a trust does not need to go through probate court in order to go into effect. Creating a trust is ideal for clients who have larger amounts of property and assets. You can also create a child-rearing trust, which will lay out instructions for the care of any minor children in the event of your passing.

Guardianship

If your loved one is struggling, we’ll work closely with their doctors and medical providers to help you gain legal guardianship. As a legal guardian, you can ensure your loved one receives proper care and gains a higher quality of life, all while giving you peace of mind.

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a person who has the legal right to make decisions, especially healthcare decisions, on your behalf in the case that you’re ever unable to. Our attorneys can also help you with the documentation needed to determine your Power of Attorney.

Estates

The loss of a loved one is emotionally strenuous, and our attorneys are ready to provide compassionate guidance throughout the settling of your loved one’s estate. We will prepare any legal paperwork and work with you to ensure property is distributed as laid out in the will or trust and that all of your loved one’s debts are addressed.

Adoptions

Adopting a child is extremely exciting, but with all of the rules and regulations involved, it can also be overwhelming to navigate. Whether you are adopting nationally or internationally, our attorneys can help you handle all of the documentation and provide guidance and support throughout the process. We work with both open and closed adoptions.

Schedule A Consultation

Embarking on the intricacies of estate planning and probate law may seem complex. Let us navigate this legal terrain together, ensuring your assets are protected, and your legacy is preserved. Share the details of your situation with us today, and let's craft a secure plan for your future.

Schedule a Consultation

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.