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23 S. Paint Street Chillicothe, OH

Understanding The Legal Process of Estate and Trust Administration in Ohio

Estate and trust administration is a requirement for almost everyone at their death. Seif & McNamee helps families across Southern Ohio and out-of-state executors and trustees involved with estates in southern Ohio with the details and requirements of estate and trust administration.

Our Ohio estate and trust administration attorneys and probate lawyers in Chillicothe provide immediate help with your loved one’s final affairs. We resolve liabilities and minimize the depreciation and dissipation of the assets. Through our extensive experience in probate court, we have developed a unique and efficient process to meet the requirements of Ohio law. Your duties as a fiduciary (executor, administrator, or trustee) and the deceased’s final wishes are our top priorities.

Understanding Ohio Estate Administration (Probate)

A simplification of the probate process is the transfer of the deceased’s assets to living persons and resolving or paying all their liabilities. The estate administration or probate process begins after the passing of a family member when a named personal representative (executor) locates the original will, asset information, and debts. Immediate attention is necessary to minimize any depletion of the estate. If you are overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, our probate lawyers in Chillicothe offer advice and guidance.

This court-supervised process to ensures Ohio’s laws are followed. Asset distribution depends on the will, or if no will exists, default recipients of the assets and liabilities are identified according to Ohio’s laws. This process is typically not quick or easy and requires someone experienced to guide the family. An Ohio estate administration lawyer or probate attorney in Chillicothe can help you with your loved one’s final affairs and help you administer their estate.

Understanding Ohio Trust Administration

A trust is a contractual relationship in which trust assets transfer from a trustor to a trustee. Regardless of the type of trust chosen, the grantor must name a trustee upon the trust’s creation. The trustee is responsible for administering the trust once it becomes active. When a person dies leaving a valid trust in Ohio, trust administration becomes necessary to carry out the wishes of the decedent as written in their trust. An Ohio trust administration attorney can help you navigate the legal process.

What is the Role of an Ohio Trustee?

A trustee in Ohio takes legal ownership of the assets held by a trust and assumes responsibility for managing those assets and carrying out the purposes of the trust. A trustee has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of both current and future beneficiaries of the trust and can be held personally liable for any breach of that duty.

The Value of Working with a Trusted Estate and Trust Administration Lawyer

Everyone’s goal should be a smooth estate settlement. Understanding the attorney’s and trustee’s roles will go a long way toward achieving that goal. Work with our experienced estate and trust administration attorney and probate attorney in Chillicothe, and you can rest assured that you aren’t alone through the estate and trust administration process.

Seif & McNamee, LLC is here to help you and your loved ones understand business lawpersonal injuryestate planningelder lawprobatecollections, and municipal law. Our experienced Ohio lawyers help you accomplish more. We welcome you to contact our Chillicothe or Waverly law firm to learn more about how we can help you achieve favorable results in business and personal legal matters in Southern Ohio, statewide, and across the Midwest.

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