call for a consultation(513) 653-4587
call for a consultation(513) 653-4587
No one likes thinking about their own mortality. It can be a confusing and overwhelming topic. However, planning for what happens after your passing can ensure the comfort of your loved ones. A West Chester estate planning attorney can help you make the necessary arrangements to support those you care for when you are gone.
Hoberg Law prioritizes proactive action that can avoid trouble later on. Our founder, Scott Hoberg, has spent years assisting the people of West Chester and the Cincinnati Metro area with planning their estates. Scott’s ties to the community run deep, with experiences as a public interest fellow for the Cincinnati City Council and the Governor’s office.
call for a consultation(513) 653-4587
Estate planning can be a crucial step to prepare for the future. Many Americans understand the importance, but refrain from taking any action. In a 2025 study, 43% of people surveyed stated that they intended to start estate planning but had kept putting it off. This procrastination results in only 41% of people having a will, trust, or other estate documents. You can take action today to join the 41% and avoid trouble for your loved ones.
Each estate plan strategy has its own benefits and drawbacks to consider. We can assist you in coming up with an estate plan that matches your situation. Some common cases we handle include:
A last will & testament is the foundation of estate planning. Even if you have a trust, a will is key to dictate how other assets are distributed. Wills revolve around three parties. The testator is the person who made the will, the executor is the individual responsible for carrying out the will, and the beneficiaries are the named recipients of your assets.
Setting up a will is vital to control how your assets are dispersed. Ohio has a set succession hierarchy that takes effect if there is no valid will, which may go against your wishes. Another downside to not having a will is that it may make the probate process longer and more expensive. We can draft a will for you that addresses any concerns you may have and save your loved ones from trouble later on.
Trusts are a separate legal entity where assets are set aside for dispersal. As with a will, there are three primary parties. The grantor, the individual putting property into the trust, the trustee, who is responsible for managing the trust, and the beneficiaries, who receive something from the trust.
Trusts have many benefits. One major reason to consider trusts is that they avoid the lengthy, public probate process. If there are disputes, matters can be negotiated in private, saving your loved ones from a trip to the Butler County Courthouse in Hamilton. Another large advantage trusts have is that they can take effect before death if the grantor is incapacitated, unlike wills, where a person must die first.
Two downsides to trusts are their cost and maintenance. Trusts require attention and updates, as well as pricier upfront costs compared to wills. Our team can help you decide whether setting up a trust is wise for your situation.
Trusts and wills are often the main focus of estate planning, but are not the only elements to consider. Some additional estate planning services we provide include:
Estate planning can be a dense and complex area of the law that may be difficult to navigate on your own. Hire an estate planning attorney who can guide you through estate planning laws. A West Chester estate planning lawyer can guide you through the initial documents filed, assess your estate, and make any modifications as they become necessary.
The cost for estate planning in Ohio depends on the circumstances of your case, the complexity of your estate, and the work hours required. In general, an estate plan consisting of a simple will with nothing else will be cheaper than one with multiple complicated trusts. Another aspect to consider is how often your estate documents require updating. Ask our estate planning lawyer for an estimate of how much your particular case may cost.
Probate attorneys are not the same as estate planning attorneys, despite both dealing with estate laws. An estate planning attorney focuses on writing and maintaining estate documents, whereas a probate attorney primarily assists in the probate process after death. Both types of legal counsel often overlap in their knowledge and experience, but perform different roles in estate cases.
In Ohio, you are not legally required to have an attorney for estate planning, but you may need one anyway. An estate planning lawyer can make a positive difference in your case. Estate planning is a complex process, with countless areas where mistakes are possible. An attorney can use their knowledge and experience to avoid easy errors and save you time, money, and needless frustration.
The five-by-five rule in estate planning is an aspect of many trusts that allows beneficiaries to annually withdraw either $5,000 or 5% of the trust’s value, whichever is higher. This can be a helpful way for beneficiaries to receive some funds that do not count towards their gross assets or trigger gift tax.
Hoberg Law is here to help you build an estate that can support your loved ones after you are gone. Contact us today for a free consultation where we can begin helping you plan for the future. You may also visit our office here in West Chester, located where Tylersville Road and Cincinnati Dayton Road cross.
call for a consultation(513) 653-4587
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