ESTATE PLANNING
The attorneys at Lessing & Kryszak consult individually with clients to determine what kind of an estate plan they need, taking into account their financial situation, family issues and the current federal and Ohio estate tax situation. We then customize an estate plan to fit these needs, based upon your individual circumstances, your goals and your wishes.
We believe it is necessary to have a well-drafted estate plan in place so that your wishes are documented and your intentions are clear. Additionally, the administration of your estate will be easier for your family in their time of loss.
At Lessing & Kryszak, we make sure that every client understands the documents that are drafted for them and the ramifications of their estate plan. Our goal is to fulfill your wishes with a Will that cannot be overturned in a will contest action.
A basic estate plan consists of a Last Will and Testament, a Durable General Power of Attorney, an Ohio Living Will Declaration and an Ohio Healthcare Power of Attorney. Our basic estate plans are billed on a flat fee basis.
An estate plan becomes more complex when a client utilizes a Trust. The fees for the creation of a Trust are billed on an hourly basis at our then current hourly rate.
To prepare for the creation of your Last Will and Testament, it is important to think about who you would like to receive your probate assets when you pass away and who you wish to have named as the executor of your estate.
A Trust is used to keep your assets outside of probate and sometimes can be used to reduce the amount of estate tax that may be owed to the federal government and/or the state of Ohio.
At Lessing & Kryszak, we will analyze your personal situation to see if a Trust makes sense. If so, you will need to think about who the beneficiaries of your Trust will be and who you would like to have in charge of your Trust, as Trustee.
A Durable General Power of Attorney is a financial power of attorney in which you name someone you trust to handle your financial matters if you are unable to manage your affairs yourself. The Durable General Power of Attorney is usually effective immediately and may help prevent guardianship in the future.
An Ohio Living Will Declaration and an Ohio Healthcare Power of Attorney are both used to express your wishes regarding medical treatment and the use of life support if you are unable to express your wishes in the future.
