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Family can be the most wonderful thing in our lives while also being the most complicated. And, when it comes to planning for the future, a complex family structure will bring with it issues and considerations that must be taken into account. This is especially true when you’re estate planning for a blended family since this typically requires more modifications and detailed documentation than for a “traditional” family.

Inflation is one of the most talked-about topics in the U.S. these days. The phenomenon has created a stronger desire in people to carry out estate planning, according to a survey by the site Caring.com. One out of every four Americans now says that inflation has awakened in them the need to engage in estate planning.

No one is ever fully prepared for all that’s involved in a divorce. Untangling two lives from one another takes a lot of time and careful consideration. You’ll have to make big decisions about dividing jointly-held property and assets, figuring out where each spouse will live, determining whether alimony will be paid, and agreeing upon child custody and child support.

Even though the vast majority of people are familiar with the detrimental effects of illegal substances and alcohol, there are millions of Americans with substance abuse problems. It is even more heartbreaking and devastating when it is your child who falls prey to substance abuse.   Your child’s drug or alcohol abuse problem is definitely something worth taking into consideration when creating a trust or other estate planning documents.

Losing a family member can be a difficult experience for their surviving loved ones. In Ohio, probate proceedings are often initiated after a person's demise to settle their estate and final affairs. However, various issues often arise regarding paying any unpaid debts of the deceased person.

Business succession planning is a critical part of any business owner’s arsenal. It is the process of preparing for and managing the transition of ownership and management of a business from one generation to another or from one owner to another.

There can be considerable drama in the wake of someone’s death. Those who believed the decedent was leaving them something and those who believed they should inherit may object to the administration of the estate for various reasons. Grief, anger, and disappointment are all strong emotional motivators for discontent.

Creating a will allows an individual to provide detailed instructions about how their assets and property should be managed, distributed, or disposed of when they're gone. However, it is important that you update your last will and testament regularly to ensure that it is consistent with your current wishes. An experienced Ohio estate planning attorney can enlighten you about when to review or update your will.

Creating a well-detailed estate plan allows an individual to provide instructions about how their assets and property should be managed in the event of their death or sudden incapacitation.

Most people understand that having a comprehensive estate plan in place is an essential responsibility to ensure your family is cared for after you pass and that your wishes are followed. However, not everyone has taken the steps to begin this process or to ensure their estate plan is up to date and complete. One component of this that’s often overlooked concerns your health care wishes—specifically, signing a HIPAA release as part of an estate plan.