Probate

July 7, 2025
lucas county probate attorneys

Lucas County Probate Process Explained

Ohio Probate in Lucas County Probate might be the last thing you want to think about after losing someone close. But if your loved one owned property, bank accounts, or other assets in their name alone, Ohio law requires that their estate go through probate before […]
July 7, 2025
do small estates need probate

What Qualifies as a Small Estate in Ohio?

Do You Need Probate for a Small Estate? What happens when there’s more debt than money in an estate? It’s a question no one wants to face, especially when a loved one passes away and leaves behind not a legacy, but a pile of unpaid bills. […]
June 5, 2025
Ohio Law and Trustee Removal

Removing a Bad Trustee in an Ohio Trust Dispute

Signs of Trustee Misconduct You Shouldn’t Ignore Given our decades of experience working with families in Northwest Ohio, we know that when a trust dispute arises, it doesn’t just involve money; it involves people you care about, plans you’ve made, and the future you’ve worked hard […]
May 15, 2025
Rich Families in Ohio Are Avoiding Probate

How to Avoid Public Probate for Large Estates

Keep Probate Private For many high-net-worth families in Ohio, privacy isn’t just a preference; it’s a priority. But when a loved one passes away and their estate enters probate, that priority can quickly be undermined. Probate is a court-supervised process intended to settle debts, validate a […]
April 15, 2025
How to Stop an Estate Distribution If You Plan to Contest the Will in Ohio

Contesting a Will in Ohio After the 3-Month Deadline

3 Months Gone—Now What? When faced with the loss of a loved one, probate proceedings and legal deadlines often catch families by surprise. In Ohio, heirs typically have just three months after receiving notice of probate to contest a will. But what happens if you’ve missed […]
April 2, 2025
Exposing Executor Misconduct in Ohio

Signs an Executor Is Concealing Assets

Spotting Fraud in Ohio Probate When someone passes away, the executor of their estate takes on a high-stakes responsibility—handling their final financial affairs with integrity, efficiency, and transparency. In Ohio, this fiduciary role is legally bound by strict duties, but not all executors live up to […]
February 7, 2025
Legal Process for Reopening Probate

Can Probate Be Reopened Once It’s Closed?

Legal Process for Reopening Probate Probate is the legal process of settling a deceased person’s estate, ensuring that assets are properly distributed and debts are paid according to Ohio law. Once the court determines that all obligations have been met, the estate is formally closed, and […]
October 9, 2024
contesting a trust

How to Prove a Will is Invalid

Common Evidence for Contesting a Will Contesting a will is a complex legal process that involves challenging the validity of a will based on specific legal grounds. While emotions often run high during these disputes, courts require clear, compelling evidence to support any challenge to a […]
February 13, 2024
How to Sort Out a Will

How Does Probate Work After Death?

Ohio’s Probate Process Probate, often misunderstood and overlooked during estate planning, is decisive in ensuring that the decedent’s assets are properly handled by their wishes and Ohio law. Heban, Murphree & Lewandowski, LLC, based in Toledo, OH, provides an in-depth look into probate, aiming to clarify […]