Probate Lawyers in
Fairlawn, OH

Estate Plan and Probate Matters

A prominent probate matter is an estate proceeding, the legal framework for managing someone’s property when they pass away. If a person has left behind a Will, proceedings are typically easier. However, it does not mean the estate will escape dealing with probate court altogether.

For example, if the wishes seem outdated or vague, or the Will’s parameters are unclear, a legal interpretation would be essential. An “Executor” handles the decedent’s wishes when they are specifically appointed in a Will, administering its contents and following the relevant legal guidelines.

Under the watchful eye of the probate court, an executor must:

• follow the decedent’s indicated wishes
• arrange for debt repayment to creditors
• collect assets, and more

If a person passes away without leaving a Will, the probate court will appoint an “Administrator” tasked with the same duties as a named executor. Both roles represent the fiduciary of the estate, responsible for:

• Taking a full inventory of the decedent’s property, including cataloging and assigning value to it
• Managing the decedent’s property in the best interest of the estate, answering for these decisions in court when disputes arise about what constitutes responsible property management
• Handling the decedent’s debt, including knowing when the estate does not need to repay the debts or can use another option

Even the first step of taking inventory can be daunting without assistance, and the help of our legal professionals is invaluable in the process.

Professional Estate Management with Probate Lawyers in Fairlawn, OH

Managing the estate of someone who has passed away is challenging, and there is a lot of room for error. Costly mistakes plague many executors and administrators, and they may even be held personally liable for these missteps. Rather, avoid complications with an experienced attorney in probate legal services from Champion & Company, LPA.

Our estate planning and probate professionals can help you manage:

• Filings and notifications. There are strict filing rules and notification rules in probate court.
• Real estate transactions. Our attorney can oversee the entire sale of real property, from contract negotiations to closing the estate.
• Estate Manager’s Duties. We advise the administrator or executor about their duties and legal obligations and how to carry these out correctly.
• Debt management. We provide guidance for the estate’s asset collections, tax filing, and more.
• Beneficiary disputes. We can mediate issues where beneficiaries express unhappiness with executor decisions, especially regarding the interest of the estate.

Our probate lawyers in Fairlawn and the surrounding areas offer ample experience in estate planning and probate issues so that you can easily navigate the confusion of probate court.

Guardianship & Adoption

Champion & Company, LPA, is available for estate matters and all areas of estate planning, but we also represent guardianship and adoption matters with experienced probate lawyers in Fairlawn, OH.

Adoption

Legal adoption is the transfer of parental rights from biological parents to adoptive ones. Whether you are moving through private adoption, an agency adoption, or a family member adoption, we can help.

Mistakes in adoption matters have serious long-term consequences. If you are a party to an adoption proceeding, Champion & Company, LPA, will ensure that you can protect your rights keep all filing requirements in order. Competent legal representation is essential when you need to navigate adoption cases, and our Champion & Company, LPA, team can help you streamline the process.

Guardianship

The other aspect of the probate court is legal guardianship, used to protect an at-risk adult where responsible parties disagree on how to proceed. Guardianship allows one person to take control of another person’s decisions or finances, or both. The probate court has jurisdiction over guardianship matters and typically oversees the financial aspects.

If you are in the process of an adoption or guardianship matter, there are ways to avoid dealing with the probate court. Let our skilled probate lawyers in Fairlawn help you fight for guardianship or defend your rights in court.

Champion & Company, LPA, provides the representation you need for all probate court matters in Fairlawn and the surrounding areas—call us at 330-865-7722 today for your free consultation.

Looking for a Probate Lawyer Near You?

• Tallmadge, Ohio
• Stow, Ohio
• Sharon Center, Ohio