Estate Planning in Cincinnati, OH

Ellen Keller has been a trusted estate planning attorney in Cincinnati, Ohio for almost 20 years. She will guide and assist you with drafting the necessary documents to protect your family. An estate plan is the best way to organize your life so that you and your loved ones are taken care of in case of disability, sickness or death. It's one of the best gifts you can give your family. A foundation for an effective estate plan includes the following: 
  • Will;
  • Property Power of Attorney; and
  • Healthcare Documents (Healthcare Power of Attorney & Living Will). 
Ellen will meet with you to see exactly what you need before providing recommendations. Your goals and needs may necessitate an estate plan that goes beyond the foundation documents. After gathering personal, family and financial information from you during an initial consultation, we will discuss your options, including Revocable Living Trusts, Credit Shelter Trusts, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, charitable donations, and gifting.

If you have a family member with a disability, especially if he or she qualifies or may qualify for medicaid waivers or other need-based government aid, then it is very important to plan appropriately for their inheritance. We can discuss all the available options, including Special Needs Trusts and Ohio's new STABLE accounts.

Please call or email Ellen Keller to discuss your estate planning. Or, if you are ready to schedule an appointment, click here.
What is a Will?
A Will is a document that provides clear directions for how a person would like his or her assets to be distributed upon death. To be valid a will must conform to applicable state law and meet certain requirements. In Ohio, a Will is the only document that is used to name a Guardian for your children.

What is a Trust?
There are many types of trusts. But the one most commonly involved in estate planning is the Revocable Living Trust. "Revocable" means it can be amended and revoked. "Living" means it is created, and often funded, during the lifetime of the grantor (person creating the trust). We like to use Revocable Living Trusts to avoid Probate, to hold assets for minor or irresponsible beneficiaries. Revocable Living Trusts, like a Will, contain directions for holding and administering assets after death. Unlike a Will, trusts are private documents that do not need to be filed with the Probate Court.