Probate and Estate Planning

When a loved one passes away, someone has to step forward and settle their affairs. If you have been named executor in a will or are next of kin to someone who died without one, the Probate Court process can feel overwhelming, particularly while you are grieving. At Katz DiCuccio LLP, our Columbus probate attorneys guide executors, administrators, and families through every stage of estate administration, from opening the estate and marshaling assets to paying creditors, preparing accountings, distributing property to beneficiaries, and closing the estate. For smaller estates, we can often avoid full administration entirely through Ohio’s relief from administration and summary release procedures, saving families significant time and expense. We handle estates of all sizes and know how to move matters through probate court efficiently, so you can focus on your family.

Unfortunately, not every estate is settled peacefully. When disputes arise, our probate litigation attorneys are ready. We handle will contests, claims of undue influence, and lack of testamentary capacity, disputes over the validity of trusts, breach of fiduciary duty claims against executors and trustees, concealment of assets actions, and disagreements among beneficiaries. Whether you are a beneficiary who suspects wrongdoing or a fiduciary defending against accusations, we bring the same litigation experience to probate court that we bring to our civil practice.

Finally, a properly prepared estate plan can spare your loved ones much of this difficulty in the first place. Our attorneys assist clients with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives, and where a matter calls for specialized planning, we can connect you with trusted counsel in our network. If you are unsure what your family needs, we are happy to talk it through.

Whether you need help administering a loved one’s estate, resolving a probate dispute, or planning for the future, the attorneys at Katz DiCuccio LLP are here to help.