Contents
Education
Q: What Are Your Hours?
A: Our hours are Monday – Friday 8:30am-5pm. Please contact us for an appointment.
Q: Where Are You Located?
A: The Spike Legal Group LLC is located conveniently across from Avon Commons at 35651 Detroit Rd., Avon, OH, 44011.
Q: What Is a Will?
A: A Will, formally called a “Last Will and Testament”, is a written instruction sheet from an individual that designates how their assets should be distributed after his/her death and who is to be appointed to make that disposition. If there is any conflict over the designated executor, a probate lawyer can help resolve such conflicts. If, after the decedent dies, the Will is contested, then probate lawyers can address those concerns. In Ohio, a Will must be executed by the individual, dated and signed in the presence of two independent witnesses to be effective. The Spike Legal Group LLC can assist in the writing and preparation of these documents, making sure that no loose ends are left unaddressed, and no ambiguities remain in the wording of the Will. Contact us today to get started with your Estate Planning.
Q: Do I Need a Will?
A:
Yes - and so does just about everybody else. A will tells the world exactly how you want your assets distributed when you die. Dying without a will - known as dying "intestate" - means you have no say over who receives your assets and can leave your heirs and the court system the complex and costly job of wrangling over who should get what. In Ohio, a Will must be executed by the individual, dated and signed in the presence of two independent witnesses to be effective. The Spike Legal Group LLC can assist in the writing and preparation of these documents, making sure that no loose ends are left unaddressed, and no ambiguities remain in the wording of the Will.
Contact us today to get started with your
Estate Planning.
Q: What Is a Living Will?
A:
A living will is a legal document that allows you to express your wishes to doctors in case you become incapacitated. In a living will, you can outline whether or not you want your life to be artificially prolonged in the event of a devastating illness or injury. A living will is often combined with a "health care proxy," which allows you to designate someone to make health care decisions for you if you become incapacitated. The living will and the health care proxy together make up what's called an "advanced health care directive." The Spike Legal Group LLC can assist in the writing and preparation of these documents. Contact us today to get started with your Estate Planning.
Q: What Is a Trust?
A:
A trust is a fiduciary relationship in which one party, known as a trustor, gives another party, the trustee, the right to hold title to property or assets for the benefit of a third party, the beneficiary. Trusts are established to provide legal protection for the trustor’s assets, to make sure those assets are distributed according to the wishes of the trustor, and to save time, reduce paperwork and, in some cases, avoid or reduce inheritance or estate taxes. To find out more about Trusts and if you should have one, please contact us at The Spike Legal Group LLC.
Q: Do I Need a Trust?
A:
A trust can be a useful estate-planning tool for lots of people. But given the expenses associated with opening one, it's probably not worth it unless you have a certain amount of assets. Trusts are flexible, varied, and complex. Each type has advantages and disadvantages, which you should discuss thoroughly with your estate-planning attorney before setting one up. NOTE: Assets you want to be protected by the trust must be retitled in the name of the trust. Anything that is not titled to the trust when you die will have to go through probate. The Spike Legal Group LLC can assist in the preparation of a Trust. Contact us today to get started with your Estate Planning.
Q: What Is Probate Court?
A: Probate Court is the responsible court for handling adoption proceedings, guardianship proceedings, and the determination of competency issues. The Spike Legal Group LLC is experienced in handling all matters before the Probate Court in Lorain County and any of the surrounding county jurisdictions. Call us today to see how we can help you!
Q: What Do Probate Lawyers Do?
A:
The person designated to take care of an individual’s affairs is called the executor of the estate. It is their job to gather the assets, pay the bills and make distribution of assets, whether pursuant to the terms of the Will or pursuant to statutory law if the individual died without a Will. A Probate Lawyers' job is to assist and advise the person appointed to take care of a decedent’s affairs in handling these matters. The probate process is a time-consuming process and can be tedious. Because everything in court is controlled by statutory law, most things are performed within a timeframe. A well-organized estate plan may avoid the tedious probate process. Call us at The Spike Legal Group LLC in Avon, Ohio to get started today.