50 Washington Street, Suite 3A | Columbus, Indiana 47201

 Wills and Probate

Columbus Wills and Probate Lawyers Help Clients Transfer Assets

Established Indiana attorneys create comprehensive estate plans 

None of us can predict the future, but each of us can take steps to protect our loved ones if something unexpected occurs. That is why no matter your age, marital status or financial condition, you should establish enforceable instructions to transfer your assets upon death. The attorneys at Thomasson, Guthrie, Schuh-Ogle & Happel, P.C. in Columbus offer knowledgeable, personalized counsel to Indiana clients on wills, trusts, probate matters and other aspects of estate planning. Regardless of your particular goals or concerns, we’ll give you full support to develop and carry out an effective, personalized strategy.

Experienced firm assists with the drafting and revision of wills

When you work with our Indiana estate planning attorneys to establish a suitable will, you can count on knowledgeable counsel regarding each facet of this important process, including:

  • Advising on required elements — To be enforceable in Indiana, a will must be drafted and signed by someone who is of sound mind and at least 18 years old or in the armed forces. The document must also be signed by two witnesses.
  • Drafting and revising — Following a thorough examination of your circumstances and objectives, we draft clear language that minimizes the likelihood of confusion or controversy. For those who already have a will in place, our lawyers conduct reviews to help testators determine if their document reflects their current wishes. Where warranted, we make appropriate revisions.
  • Choosing an executor — Having handled simple and complex probate matters for decades, our firm is able to assess what type of responsibilities your estate’s executor will face. This way, you can choose someone you trust to serve as personal representative.

Without an enforceable last will and testament, you will not be able to direct where the assets you accumulated over a lifetime will end up. Rather, your property will be allocated under the priority system created by the state’s intestacy law.

Skillful advisers help executors manage the probate process

We assist named executors and others who are appointed as personal representatives for the estate with the tasks necessary to complete the Indiana probate process accurately and efficiently. From the filing of the will through the issuance of letters testamentary and ultimate allocation of the decedent’s property, our lawyers provide comprehensive counsel. Whatever your particular situation requires, we’ll advise as to whether a small estate proceeding, unsupervised probate or supervised probate is appropriate. Should you have questions about property that does not pass through probate, such as jointly held property, life insurance proceeds and assets held in trusts, our attorneys can answer them as well.

Effective advocates represent parties during will contests

Once a will is admitted to probate, Indiana law only allows 90 days for it to be challenged. Regardless of whether you believe the document is fraudulent, is the result of undue influence, was created when the testator lacked proper legal capacity or is flawed in some other way, our seasoned attorneys will assess the likelihood of a successful will contest. We advocate on behalf of individuals challenging wills as well as personal representatives in actions designed to ensure that the decedent’s true intentions are honored.

Compassionate legal counselors prepare advance medical directives

Distributing assets is just one aspect of long-range planning that formalizes your wishes and safeguards your loved ones. Another key element is the creation of advance directives that address your medical treatment should you be incapacitated due to an injury or illness. Our firm drafts living will declarations stating whether extraordinary measures should be used to prolong your life as well as documents naming a healthcare representative to control decisions about your treatment.

Contact a knowledgeable Indiana lawyer for assistance with a will or probate issue 

Thomasson, Guthrie, Schuh-Ogle & Happel, P.C. in Columbus provides personalized counsel on wills, probate concerns and other estate matters for Indiana residents and their loved ones. For an appointment regarding your particular matter, please call 812-565-5041 or contact us online.