ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY · AKRON, OH
Will Preparation in Akron, OH
Spatz Law Group writes wills for families in Akron and across Summit County that say exactly what you mean, so your family never has to guess who gets what or who raises your kids.
A will doesn't keep your house out of probate
This surprises more families than anything else. A will is a set of instructions for the probate court, so in Ohio a home passed by a will usually still goes through probate, a public court process. That doesn't make a will a mistake. It is still where you name guardians for your children and say who receives what. In your Estate Planning Session, Debra shows you what would happen to your home and accounts today, and whether a will on its own is enough or should be paired with a trust or a transfer on death designation.
Online will templates miss the details that matter
An online form can look finished and still fail your family. Ohio requires a will to be signed in front of two witnesses, and online forms rarely ask about a child from a prior marriage, a loved one who relies on Medicaid, or a house you own with someone else. Your will is written around your actual family, not a template, and signed with the witnesses Ohio requires, so it holds up on the day someone finally needs to read it.
Choosing who raises your kids if something happens to you
Your will is where you name guardians for your minor children. Without that choice in writing, the probate court decides, and the judge has never met your family. Debra is a mom of five, and she knows this is the hardest decision in the whole plan. She'll help you think it through: who shares your values, who has the energy for it, and who should step in as a backup if your first choice can't serve.
A will that still says what you mean years from now
A will is written for one moment in your life, and life keeps moving. Children grow up, marriages change and people you named move away. Debra recommends reviewing your will after any big life change, so it doesn't quietly drift out of date in a drawer.
Estate Plan Review & Update
Your attorney
Debra A. Spatz
Licensed in Ohio since 2008 · Ohio Supreme Court Reg. #0083356
Chicago-Kent College of Law · University of Illinois, Finance
Meet DebraBefore your first conversation
Make a list of the people you want to inherit, who you'd trust as executor, and who you'd want to raise your children. If you have an old will or handwritten wishes, bring those too.
★★★★★Google review
If you are looking for a local estate attorney in Bath, Ohio, Deb Spatz with Spatz Law Group is truly exceptional. I know several people who have worked with Deb, and they consistently share nothing but positive experiences. Deb takes the time to get to know you and your story, allowing her to create a plan that brings real peace of mind for you and your family. She even offers the option to record a legacy video for your loved ones, which is an incredibly meaningful and lasting gift. Do not wait until it is too late. I highly recommend calling Deb today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a will have to be notarized in Ohio?
No. An Ohio will must be in writing, signed by you, and signed by two witnesses who saw you sign it or heard you acknowledge your signature. Notarizing the will itself isn't required. What matters most is that it's signed and witnessed correctly, because a will that isn't can be thrown out by the probate court.
Is a handwritten will valid in Ohio?
Only if it meets the same rules as any other will. Ohio does not accept an unwitnessed handwritten will, so a note in your own handwriting, even if signed, generally won't work without two witnesses. If you've written down your wishes informally, bring them to your Estate Planning Session as a starting point.
Where should I keep my original will?
Somewhere safe that your executor can actually get to. Ohio also lets you deposit your original will with the probate court in your county, which for Akron-area families is Summit County Probate Court, so it can't be lost or misplaced. Avoid a safe deposit box that only you can open, since your family may need the will before they can get access to the box.
Can I leave someone out of my will?
Yes, Ohio lets you leave out a child, and it helps to say so clearly in your will so it isn't mistaken for an oversight. A surviving spouse is different. Ohio lets a spouse choose a share set by law instead of what your will leaves them. Debra explains how that affects your plan, especially in a second marriage.
Do I still need a will if I have a living trust?
Yes. A short will, often called a pour-over will, catches anything you didn't put into your trust and sends it there. It is also still the document where you name guardians for your minor children. The two work together rather than replacing each other.
Is one house enough reason to get a trust instead of a will?
Not always. Ohio lets you name who receives your home through a transfer on death designation affidavit, which keeps that house out of probate without a trust. A trust usually makes more sense when your plan needs to do more than pass one house: when young children's inheritance needs managing, in a blended family, when you own property in more than one state, or when you want someone ready to manage things if you can't. In your Estate Planning Session, Debra shows you which fits your family.