Strategic Probate Representation For Estate Administration, Will Contests, And Inheritance Disputes.
Heban, Murphree & Lewandowski, LLC helps families, fiduciaries, beneficiaries, heirs, trustees, and property owners navigate probate court, contested estates, estate planning, power of attorney concerns, and estate-related real estate issues.
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100+ Years Combined Experience
Experience involving probate, estate planning, litigation, real estate, and related legal matters.
Probate & Estate Litigation
Representation involving contested wills, inheritance disputes, fiduciary conflicts, trusts, and difficult estate administration issues.
Northwest Ohio Roots
Helping individuals and families throughout Toledo, Rossford, Perrysburg, Maumee, Sylvania, Oregon, Findlay, and surrounding communities.
Ohio Probate and Estate Attorneys for Both Administration and Disputes
Probate is not one single type of legal matter. Some families need help administering an estate correctly and efficiently. Others are already facing a disagreement over a will, inheritance, executor, trustee, or transfer of property.
HML assists clients on both sides of that spectrum.
Whether you have been named executor, are trying to understand your inheritance rights, believe estate assets are being mishandled, or need help planning for your own family, our attorneys can help you understand the legal process and determine the appropriate next steps.
Probate Problems Often Involve More Than Probate
Estate matters often become complicated because they involve legal issues beyond the probate court.
A family may discover a deed that needs review. An estate may own a house, rental property, farmland, or a family business. A beneficiary designation may conflict with what relatives expected. A power of attorney may have transferred property shortly before death. An executor may need to sell real estate while beneficiaries disagree about what should happen.
That is where a broader legal perspective matters. HML combines probate, estate planning, litigation, real estate, and property experience to help clients understand how the pieces of a complicated matter fit together.
Our attorneys work to identify the legal issues involved, explain the available options, and develop a practical strategy based on the circumstances of the case.
Who Typically Contacts Our Probate Attorneys?
People often reach out to HML when they are dealing with situations such as:
Executors and Administrators
You have been placed in charge of an estate and want to make sure the probate process is handled correctly.
Beneficiaries and Heirs
You have questions about your inheritance, estate administration, or decisions made by an executor or trustee.
Families Facing a Dispute
A document has been challenged, a last-minute estate-plan change appears suspicious, or family members disagree about what the deceased intended.
Power of Attorney Concerns
You believe someone may have misused authority to transfer money, real estate, or other assets.
Property Owners and Families
A probate matter involves a home, farmland, deed, title problem, lease, or other real estate issue.
Individuals Planning Ahead
You want to create or update an estate plan before a crisis occurs.
Probate Representation in Toledo and Northwest Ohio
HML is located at 200 Dixie Highway in Rossford, Ohio, just across the river from downtown Toledo. We work with clients throughout Northwest Ohio, including Toledo, Findlay, Whitehouse, Waterville, Lyons, and surrounding communities.
Probate matters are generally handled through the probate court in the county connected to the estate. Because court procedures, local rules, property issues, and family circumstances can differ from one matter to another, local familiarity can help you decide how to proceed.
What Happens When You Contact HML?
You do not need to know the exact legal terminology for your situation before contacting the firm.
Tell Us What Happened
Provide a short summary of the problem, the county involved, and any court date or deadline you know about.
If the matter involves an estate, it helps to know the deceased person’s name and whether a probate case has already been opened.
Our Team Reviews Your Inquiry
We review the information you provide to determine whether the matter falls within the services HML handles and what the appropriate next step may be.
Discuss Your Options
When a consultation is appropriate, you can discuss the circumstances of the matter, the issues that need evaluation, and the scope of potential legal representation.
Experienced Legal Guidance Without Making the Process More Complicated
Probate and inheritance problems are often stressful because legal, financial, property, and family issues are happening at the same time. Our goal is to make the legal side easier to understand.
HML helps clients identify the questions that need answering, understand their responsibilities and rights, and decide what steps make sense based on the documents and facts involved.
Clients come to the firm for help with both routine probate work and contentious matters.
“Mr. Heban is courteous, friendly, and very helpful. We would recommend him to anyone.”
Pat Lindner
“Kevin and his staff were wonderful, walking us through the estate process after my mother passed away.”
Laura Moon
Meet the HML Legal Team
Heban, Murphree & Lewandowski brings together attorneys with experience in probate, estate planning, litigation, real estate, and related legal matters.
Our team includes counsel licensed in Ohio and Michigan.
Handling Probate and Estate Disputes
Many people begin researching a probate matter long before they know whether they need an attorney.
HML publishes resources explaining Ohio probate, inheritance law, wills, trusts, fiduciary responsibilities, property issues, and common disputes.
Inheritance Disputes
Read more about disagreements involving beneficiaries, heirs, executors, trustees, and estate assets.
Lack of Testamentary Capacity →
A will may be disputed when there are concerns that the person signing it did not understand their property, family relationships, or the effect of the document.
Undue Influence or Forgery →
Undue influence may occur when someone pressures or manipulates the testator. Forgery concerns arise when a signature or document appears suspicious.
Fraud in Will Creation →
Fraud may involve deception about the contents, purpose, or effect of a will. These claims require careful review of documents, witnesses, and surrounding facts.
Check Out Our Legal Resources To Get Help Answering These Questions…
- Who is entitled to see a will after someone dies?
- How do you locate a will in Ohio?
- What happens when someone dies without a will?
- Can a child contest a parent’s will?
- What happens when siblings disagree about an inheritance?
- What can be done about suspected power-of-attorney abuse?
- When can a trustee be challenged?
- What happens when co-executors disagree?
- How is real estate handled during probate?
- What rights do beneficiaries have during an estate administration?
Real Estate, Farmland & Property Matters
Probate and estate planning frequently involve property. HML also assists clients with legal matters involving:
Residential Real Estate →
Deeds, purchase agreements, leases, property disputes, title issues, and other residential property matters.
Farmland →
Farm succession issues, agricultural leases, farmland ownership questions, and disputes involving agricultural property.
Agricultural Law →
Legal support for farmers, landowners, and agribusiness clients across Ohio.
TOD & Deed Planning →
Planning tools that may help property transfer more efficiently after death when appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is probate?
Probate is the court-supervised process used to administer certain property owned by a person who has died. Depending on the estate, the process may include validating a will, appointing an executor or administrator, identifying assets, addressing debts and creditor claims, and distributing property to the appropriate beneficiaries or heirs.
Does every Ohio estate have to go through probate?
No. Whether probate is necessary depends largely on what assets the deceased person owned and how those assets were titled.
Some property may pass outside probate through survivorship ownership, beneficiary designations, trusts, or transfer-on-death arrangements.
What should I do if I have been named executor?
Before distributing assets or making significant decisions, determine whether a probate estate needs to be opened and understand the responsibilities that come with serving as executor.
Gather the will, death certificate, information about assets and debts, and any notices or important estate documents you already have.
Can I refuse to serve as executor?
Being named as executor in a will does not necessarily mean you must accept the role. Another qualified person may be appointed when the named executor cannot or does not wish to serve.
What if I believe a will is invalid?
Concerns about a will may involve capacity, undue influence, fraud, forgery, or whether the document was properly executed.
Will contests can involve strict procedures and deadlines, so it is important to have the particular documents and circumstances reviewed promptly.
What if the executor is not handling the estate properly?
Executors and other fiduciaries have legal responsibilities when handling estate property.
If you are concerned about missing assets, lack of information, improper distributions, unusual transactions, or other conduct, an attorney can review the circumstances and explain what options may be available.
What if someone used a power of attorney before my family member died?
Transactions made under a power of attorney may become an important issue after death, particularly when money or property was transferred shortly before the estate was opened.
The validity and significance of those transactions depend on the power-of-attorney document, the agent’s authority, the circumstances, and the available records.
What information should I have when I contact a probate lawyer?
Helpful information may include:
- The name of the deceased person
- The county where the person lived
- Whether a probate case has already been opened
- Any case number you have
- A copy of the will or trust if available
- The names of the executor or trustee
- A short description of the disagreement or concern
- Any upcoming hearing or deadline
You do not need to have everything before contacting the firm.
What should I do when a loved one dies?
Start by securing important documents, arranging care for dependents or pets, locating the will or trust, identifying assets and debts, and speaking with a probate attorney before transferring or distributing property.
Where should a probate case be filed?
A probate case is typically filed in the county where the deceased person lived at the time of death. Additional proceedings may be needed when real estate or other property is located in another state.
Talk With a Toledo Probate Attorney About What Is Happening
Probate questions are easier to address when you understand the documents, deadlines, property, and people involved early.
Whether you are administering an estate, questioning a will or trust, dealing with an inheritance disagreement, concerned about an executor or power of attorney, or trying to determine what happens next after a loved one dies, HML can review your situation and help you understand the next steps.
Heban, Murphree & Lewandowski, LLC200 Dixie Highway
Rossford, Ohio 43460
(419) 662-3100
Submitting an inquiry does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please provide a short summary rather than confidential documents or sensitive financial information.