Being the Executor of an Estate in Ohio is a complicated and sometimes daunting task. For those who have never been involved in an Ohio Probate proceeding before, the rules and procedures can seem almost incomprehensible.

The job of the Executor is to take care of the estate and financial affairs of the deceased loved one. They must identify, collect and secure the assets of the estate, find the decedent’s Will (if they had one), determine which assets will pass through Probate and which will be distributed directly to beneficiaries. The Executor must provide relevant information to heirs and beneficiaries, must file the required papers in the Probate proceeding, and pay the rightful debts and claims against the estate. Finally, the Executor distributes the remaining assets to the heirs or beneficiaries as directed.

Depending on the size of the estate, the assets involved, and a host of other factors, the Probate proceeding can be more or less complicated. Sometimes it can be streamlined to be more efficient, and sometimes it will go very slowly and methodically. There are three different procedures that can be used.

Going through the estate procedure without an attorney who is experienced in Probate matters is never recommended. An experienced estate attorney can advise you on your options, the best procedures to utilize, your responsibilities as the Estate fiduciary, and can help make sure that you don’t end up being legally and financially responsible for mistakes made in the estate administration process.

If you are named as the Executor in a person’s Will, make sure that you understand your responsibilities and legal obligations. Make sure you know how to protect yourself from potential liability. You can call one of our experienced estate attorneys for help – we don’t charge a fee for your initial appointment and for answering your questions. Call us at 419-872-7670 for help. We look forward to serving you.