Practice Areas
Through the efficient use of our attorneys and staff, S&W assists spouses, heirs and other beneficiaries in the administration of estates and trusts.
S&W has a long history of working with families to plan and execute estate plans, including wills and trusts. Considerations include tax consequences, family succession, protection of minor children, inheritance, and other estate planning issues.
The following documents are recommended for everyone:
(1) Will:
This document allows you to determine who inherits your property and who would be in charge of making sure your property is properly distributed (Executor). You can also nominate a guardian for minor beneficiaries and waive the bond that would otherwise be required if you died without a will.
(2) Living Will:
A living will is a document that allows a person to state in advance his/her wishes regarding the use or removal of life-sustaining or death delaying procedures in the event of illness or injury.
(3) General Power of Attorney:
A general power of attorney is a legal document that authorizes another person to act on one’s behalf in financial and business matters.
(4) Healthcare Power of Attorney:
A healthcare power of attorney is an advanced directive that authorizes a family member or friend to make medical and other healthcare decisions for an individual when he or she is unable to do so.
Additionally, Trusts are often recommended to avoid probate, provide distribution to children or grandchildren over a period of years, and for privacy of estate distributions. Trusts can also be extremely helpful if you own real estate outside the state of Ohio.
S&W assists in handling the affairs of incompetent or disabled family members, or minor children, through the establishment and maintenance of guardianships.
S&W is ready to assist in the preparation or review of residential or commercial real estate contracts or leases, as well as representation at closing. The members of S&W also own and operate a title insurance agency known as Chicago Title West (CTW), providing real estate title and closing services for clients in the sale, purchase and refinance of their homes and investment properties. CTW is active in helping For Sale by Owner real estate transactions to successfully close.
S&W is experienced in the creation of LLC’s (Limited Liability Corporations), Subchapter S corporations and partnerships together with the winding down or dissolution of them. These entities are especially useful for owners of rental or investment real estate in order to limit personal liability.
Our attorneys and staff have more than 45 years experience in protecting the rights of people injured or killed in accidents of all types and representing litigants in contract disputes, construction cases and other civil matters. Before you talk to the insurance company come and speak with us.
S&W is one of the most experienced law firms in central Ohio in the area of will contests, both in the defense and the contest of Last Wills and Testaments. We also assist clients in contested trust and guardianship matters. Our members are also available to serve as expert witnesses in probate litigation and fee disputes.
A living will is a document that allows a person to state in advance his/her wishes regarding the use or removal of life-sustaining or death delaying procedures in the event of illness or injury. S&W is ready to assist you in the preparation of this advance directive.
A general power of attorney is a legal document that authorizes another person to act on one's behalf, usually in financial matters.
A healthcare power of attorney is an advanced directive that authorizes a family member or friend to make medical and other healthcare decisions for an individual when he or she is unable to do so. S&W is experienced in assisting in the preparation of all of these documents.