Executors and agents acting under powers of attorney have significant authority. Unfortunately, some individuals may abuse this authority to enrich themselves or others at the expense of the persons to whom they owe legal duties of care and loyalty. Some common questions that people have about executor and power of...

Writing a comprehensive will is one of the better ways to retain some control over your estate after your death. When you die and your will goes to probate, your executor essentially takes your place. That is, the person you choose to be your executor performs estate-related tasks on your...

Divorce is emotionally and financially difficult. Chances are, your focus is on finding a way through the immediate difficulties of your divorce; do not lose sight of other essential details during this process. Your estate plan is especially important, and many aspects of that plan should be reconsidered as you...

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently announced that Ohio’s mandatory “stay at home” order would be extended until May 1, 2020. During this time, whether you are working from home or using this time to complete tasks that have been put off for some time, you may have found yourself thinking...

Right now, many people are facing a lot of uncertainty, whether that is about getting sick from the ever-spreading COVID-19 pandemic, having to self-quarantine, work stoppages, job loss, school closings/re-opening or closures that may be forthcoming during the pandemic. One thing that you can be certain about during this pandemic...

Becoming a parent is a huge life change. Shortly after your child is born, you and your spouse will spend most of your time on the never-ending tasks of feeding and diapering a newborn, as well as surviving some sleepless nights. One thing new parents often don’t think of in...

There are many unexpected events which can upend one’s life. A divorce that someone never saw coming, a health crisis that could prove fatal and a motor vehicle collision that results in a permanent disability are just some of the crises that people have to work through. Unfortunately, for those...

There are many different issues to consider for those who are creating an estate plan or making revisions to an existing estate plan. From figuring out which type of trust works best (or deciding to set up a will) to naming an executor or naming beneficiaries, the estate planning process...

Disinheriting a child from a will is a matter that should be taken very seriously. It usually occurs when a child has been provided financial support in the long term, perhaps at the expense of other children and family members. Emotional factors may also come into play, especially if parent...

When you are creating your will, you may first think about how you want to distribute your physical and financial assets, such as real estate and stocks. However, it is important to consider your digital assets as well. Email accounts, digital bank statements and social media profiles may all contain...

The main purpose of estate planning is to ensure that one is able to leave as much of their personal wealth to their designated beneficiaries in Columbus. This is the reason why so many estate planning experts recommend that people structure their estates to avoid processes that and obligations that...

Estate planning experts in Columbus recommend that people begin preparing their wills at a young age. Once completed, such a document should be filed with the probate court of the county in which the testator resides. Many may think that once that is done, they no longer have to worry...

It is important to see to your estate planning early on in your adult life to maintain control over the eventual distribution of the assets you will spend a lifetime accumulating. Yet another vital point to remember is that even after you have created a will, the estate planning process...

Having an estate plan in place is a must for residents of Ohio. However, you must also be wary of potential scams, which target people through a variety of nefarious means. To ensure you have what it takes to recognize common scams, Forbes offers the following advice. Trust mills Trust...

When people are in the process of planning their estate in Ohio, one of the aspects they may consider is writing a will. This document is a place where they can relay, in detail, how they wish that their assets be distributed following their death. While most people think of...

Once you begin the process of planning your estate in Ohio, you will need to make several decisions regarding the essential components of your future. Some of these decisions may include establishing guardianship for any dependents you may have, allocating assets and selecting heirs, and choosing someone who will be...

If you live in Ohio and are planning your future, one of the things you may be doing is figuring out your estate and planning what to do with your money, property and other assets. Part of the decision-making process is choosing an executor who will carry out the terms...

The last thing that you want is there to be contention amongst the beneficiaries you leave behind in Columbus. Yet when it comes to the dispersal of a loved one estate amongst multiple parties, there will almost inevitably be people who are not happy with your stipulations. They may allow...

If you’re working on an estate plan in Ohio, you likely know how complex the process can actually be. Accordingly, there are a number of commonly made mistakes to avoid, which can impact the validity of your estate plan and even result in a protracted probate hearing. To help you...

Bringing a marriage to an end can have an impact on someone’s life in many ways. For example, their relationship with their children may change, whether they spend more or less time with their kids. Or, they may relocate to a new city or state, struggle to adjust to the...

If you have already taken the time to develop an estate plan, then congratulations, you are ahead of the game. By creating an estate plan, you have taken steps to reduce any stress regarding the inheritance of your finances, home and any other property. You may have even taken responsibility...

Many people in Columbus choose to make a trust a part of their estate plans. While these documents are certainly beneficial for avoiding probate, you must make sure that you choose the trustee carefully. This person will be responsible for overseeing the affairs of your estate after you’re gone, which...

No one enjoys thinking about a time when they are no longer around to provide for their family. Estate planning forces people to think about this, as well as make tough decisions about their lives. Estate planning is a complex process with many steps and components. It can be hard...

Even a good estate plan may need to be updated from time to time. Knowing when to revisit your will and other documents is crucial; failure to do so could result in your final wishes being ignored, as well as increased strife between your family members. To prevent this from...

Choosing a person to be your power of attorney (POA) allows you to have a surrogate act on your behalf should you suffer incapacitation and can no longer make financial or other life decisions for yourself. Some people may wonder, however, if they can or should appoint more than one...

There are all sorts of stressors that people have to face when they decide to split up with their marital partner. For some, such as those who have children, divorce can be especially complicated (child support, custody disputes, and so on). It is important to keep in mind that divorce...

While retirement savings are best started early, many people end up getting a late start. This doesn’t have to spell disaster, however; if you live in Cleveland and are approaching your 40’s without a retirement plan in mind, there is hope. TheBalance.com offers some good tips on how to get...

You might be prepared to face any potential challenge in Columbus, except the thought of your own mortality. It is for this reason that you may have put off your estate planning. Several of those that come to see us here at The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen...

Many people in Ohio find it difficult to talk about making a will or a trust in part because this means facing the reality that they will someday die. While a good estate plan can benefit anyone, it has particular benefits for remarried couples, especially when one or both spouses...

We’re all going to die some day, so that’s why it’s important to live your life the way you want to, explore the world and accomplish goals. Among those goals should be creating an estate plan. With it, you have an opportunity to protect your estate and hand down your...

Once you die, Max the dog, Lucy the cat, and Sunny the cockatiel may wonder what will happen to them. If you’ve played your estate-planning cards just right, then you would have provided for these furry and feathered non-human members of your family through your will or a pet trust....

With the arrival of a baby, parents begin a lifelong propensity to worry about their child. If yours is a special needs child, that worry is multiplied by the knowledge that your child will need extra care throughout his or her life, long after you are gone. One step you...

With every approaching payday in Columbus, you can count on one thing: the government taking its share of your earnings in taxes. Many clients come to us here at The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc. Inc. concerned that the same thing will happen when the time comes...

You have heard the horror stories from friends, family or neighbors about dealing with an extended long-term care stay for a loved one. Well, unfortunately without proper planning, we see a lot of those horror stories come true. As the baby-boomer generation starts to reach retirement age, we will see...

While you may not find the topic of death and planning your estate to be the most exciting, being proactive about creating a plan that you feel good about is crucial to guaranteeing that things end up where you want them if you ever become incapacitated. At The Law Offices...

Women in Ohio and throughout the U.S. live longer than men in general, which means they have unique needs when it comes to estate planning. An article in Forbes magazine puts the average life expectancy of women at nearly five years longer than men, with some living well beyond those...

Having a will or trust document in Ohio is a basic start to preparing for one’s estate future. What kind of assets a person owns may affect whether a will can do the intended job, that of leaving certain assets to certain people in one’s life. However, a person’s needs...

The times are changing, as we all know. In the world of estate planning, the biggest change has been an overall change in personal assets. Instead of journals and photo albums, many people now keep their memories online, on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. In fact, the average internet user...

When people think of estate planning, they often think about wills. While wills are the cornerstones of many people’s estate plans, there are other aspects of estate planning that should not be overlooked. Interestingly, one of the most commonly overlooked parts of estate planning is also one of the simplest...

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 52 percent of those turning 65 now will need long-term care services and supports during their lifetimes. Unfortunately, according to the AARP, “The cost of long-term services and supports over time continues to be much higher than what middle-income families...

“Crowdfunding” may not be the most familiar term, but the concept is becoming increasingly important. You may have heard about sites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe, which make it easy to ask friends, relatives, social media contacts and even strangers for startup cash for a new business enterprise. Chuffed and CrowdRise...

According to the Census Bureau, 14 million widows and widowers live in the U.S., or about a quarter of the population over 65. Every year, 800,000 Americans lose their spouses. It’s reality. People die, and they leave behind loved ones in emotional turmoil. That doesn’t have to mean your loved...

Estate planning is something that should not be taken lightly. It is a very important aspect of life that should not be overlooked, no matter your age. You can begin planning your estate the minute you are hired for your first job out of college. Estate plans should be updated...

When it comes to estate planning, many people think that a will is all they need. In some cases, that is true. However, wills are limited in terms of what they can do. For many people, a will is simply not enough to achieve their estate planning goals. What A...

What They Are, Why You Need Them, and Remembering Terri Schiavo Living Wills and Health Care Powers of Attorney are commonly referred to as “advanced directives” because they give health care providers and family members direction for your medical treatment and end of life care should you be unable to...

Some married couples think that estate planning is sufficient if all assets go to the surviving spouse at death. Couples taking this approach often title their real property and bank accounts in the form of jointly tenancy with right of survivorship; they designate each other as their sole death beneficiary...