Probate Lawyers in
Akron, OH

What Does The Probate Court In Akron, OH, Oversee?

Several matters fall within the jurisdiction of these establishments, including:
● Estate administration of a decedent
● Adoption and guardianship
● Land appropriation
● Involuntary commitment

The most common matters in Akron fall under administering an estate and adoption or guardianship matters.

Administering an Estate in Akron

• Where the decedent did not execute a Last Will outlining their requirements, a probate court will appoint an “Administrator” to manage the estate.
• If they did execute a Will, an “Executor” would administer the estate.

In either case, the estate’s “Fiduciary” takes on a great deal of responsibility, including:
● Inventorying the decedent’s property and protecting it
● Paying creditors
● Collecting assets and distributing these items to heirs and beneficiaries

The laws that govern estate matters are often confusing and difficult to interpret, even when the decedent executes a Will. The information will often need review and definition by the probate court, and the responsible party will need to file notices following particular guidelines and adhere to deadlines. With so much work required, one misstep in probate court causes months of delay, and local rules can make for lengthy litigation.

The solution is to turn to our experienced probate lawyers in Akron for assistance. Champion & Company, LPA, navigates these complexities daily, and our probate attorney ensures the estate administration follows the letter of the law.

We will:
● Explain the fiduciary’s responsibilities, legal duties, and estate administration rules
● Provide advice for managing the estate and guidance for selling, negotiating, and overseeing real property
● Assist in the inventory of catalog and value assets
● Execute court filings, and prepare notices to beneficiaries, government agencies, and creditors
● File federal estate tax returns
● Settle disputes among beneficiaries, including acting as a mediator and providing support

The Champion & Company, LPA, probate lawyers in Akron can save you time, money, and costly errors—contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your probate case in Ohio.

Adoption and Guardianship Matters

“Adoption” refers to the transfer of the parental rights of a child from one individual to another. The process unfolds in at least four ways, including:

● Private adoptions with two parties (the birth parent and the adoptive parent)
● Agency adoptions with three parties (the birth parent, adoptive parent, and the agency)
● Grandparent adoptions, where grandparents take the role of adoptive parents for unfit parents
● Step-parent adoptions, allowing the adoption of a minor child by a step-parent so that they can take the parents’ last name

Our probate lawyers in Akron assist in all manner of adoption cases, including guardianship matters in the jurisdiction of the probate court. Guardianship refers to the case where the court appoints one individual to care for and take responsibility for another individual’s personal or financial affairs.

Litigants might use guardianship to:
● Oversee a disabled child’s affairs once they turn 18
● Protect parents that can no longer make informed decisions
● Manage a family member’s financial affairs

When there is no execution of documents to name a “decision-maker,” guardianship is sometimes the only option if an individual becomes incapacitated. However, it is not always favorable. Pre-planning with Champion & Company, LPA, may put the instruments in place to ensure that your wishes come to fruition should you become incapacitated.

If you are dealing with a probate court matter, you do not have to do it alone. Champion & Company, LPA, provides free consultation and ample support with our probate lawyers in Akron, OH. Call us today at 330-865-7722 to schedule an appointment or learn more about preferred defenses to guardianship or laws when there is a dispute.

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