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Get clear explanations of Ohio law, your rights, and how the system actually works.
Do Beneficiary Designations Avoid Probate in Ohio?
Beneficiary designations are one of the most common ways probate is avoided in Ohio. They are also one of the most common sources of unintended results. The reason is simple. Beneficiary designations often outlive the plan that surrounded them. How beneficiary designations work in Ohio Assets with valid beneficiary designations pass directly to the named beneficiary at death. This includes retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and many financial accounts. These assets
Brandon Harmony
1 min read
Does Joint Ownership With Rights of Survivorship Avoid Probate in Ohio?
Joint ownership feels intuitive. If one person dies, the other keeps the property. In Ohio, joint ownership with rights of survivorship can avoid probate , but it also carries consequences that many people do not realize until it is too late. What seems simple on paper can change ownership in ways people did not intend. How survivorship ownership works in Ohio When property is owned jointly with rights of survivorship, the surviving owner automatically becomes the sole owner
Brandon Harmony
2 min read
Does a Transfer on Death Designation Avoid Probate in Ohio?
Many people add a transfer on death designation because they want something simple. Sign a form, name a person, avoid probate. In Ohio, that can work, but only when the designation is done correctly and coordinated with the rest of the estate plan . The problem is that transfer on death designations are often added in isolation. What a transfer on death designation actually does in Ohio A transfer on death designation allows certain assets to pass automatically to a named ben
Brandon Harmony
2 min read
How to Avoid Probate in Ohio
Most people say they want to avoid probate because they think it is expensive or slow. The real reason usually becomes clear later. Probate takes control away from families at the exact moment they need simplicity and privacy the most. In Ohio, avoiding probate is possible, but only if the plan is built correctly. The problem is that many people believe they have avoided probate when they have not. What probate actually means in Ohio Probate is the court-supervised process th
Brandon Harmony
3 min read
Do You Need a Lawyer for Estate Planning in Ohio?
A common belief is that estate planning is mostly paperwork. If you can fill out a form, you can handle it yourself. In real life, that assumption is one of the most common reasons estate plans fail in Ohio. The question is not whether you can create estate planning documents without a lawyer. The question is whether those documents will actually control what happens when they are needed. Why this question matters more than people expect Estate planning only becomes visible w
Brandon Harmony
3 min read
What Information You Need to Start Estate Planning
Many people delay estate planning because they think they need everything figured out before they begin. They assume they must gather stacks of documents, make every decision in advance, and arrive fully prepared. That belief alone keeps many plans from starting. In reality, you do not need perfect information to start estate planning. You need enough information to identify risks, clarify goals, and move the process forward in an organized way. Basic Personal Information Is
Brandon Harmony
3 min read
What Happens at an Estate Planning Consultation?
Many people put off scheduling an estate planning consultation because they do not know what will be asked, what they need to bring, or whether they will be pressured to make decisions on the spot. That uncertainty alone keeps plans from getting started. An estate planning consultation is not about signing documents. It is about understanding your situation, identifying risks, and determining what type of plan actually makes sense before anything is drafted. The Purpose of a
Brandon Harmony
3 min read
How Long Does the Estate Planning Process Take?
Many people delay estate planning because they assume it will take months or feel overwhelming. Others expect it to be finished in a single meeting. Both assumptions create frustration. The truth is that the estate planning process usually takes longer than people expect, but not for the reasons they think. The timeline depends less on drafting and more on decisions, follow-through, and coordination. The Short Answer Most People Are Looking For For most individuals and famil
Brandon Harmony
3 min read
What Is Included in a Typical Estate Plan?
Many typical estate plans include a revocable living trust . A trust allows assets to be managed during incapacity and distributed after death without going through probate, assuming the trust is properly funded. Not every plan needs a trust. Whether one is appropriate depends on assets, family structure, and goals. When included, the trust usually functions as the primary distribution vehicle, with the will playing a supporting role. The trust document alone does nothing un
Brandon Harmony
3 min read
What Happens After Your Estate Plan Is Signed
Many people assume estate planning ends when the documents are signed. That assumption causes more problems than almost any drafting mistake. Signing your estate plan is the starting point, not the finish line, and what happens next determines whether the plan actually works when it is needed. This post explains what happens after an estate plan is signed, what still must be done, and where plans most often fail in real life. Signing Is the Legal Trigger, Not the Outcome Onc
Brandon Harmony
3 min read
Do I Need a Will or a Trust in Ohio?
Most people asking this question are not trying to optimize legal theory. They are trying to avoid problems for their family. In Ohio, the difference between a will and a trust often determines whether loved ones deal with court involvement, delays, and loss of control at the worst possible time. The confusion usually comes from assuming both documents do the same thing. They do not. What a Will Actually Does in Ohio A will only matters after death. It is a set of instructio
Brandon Harmony
3 min read
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