As we are all aware, these are challenging times. We are all focusing on our health, primarily, but also our financial stability.  Most of you are not thinking about your estate plan; however, during this time it is more important than ever to consider, at a minimum, healthcare directives and financial powers of attorney.  The Estate Planning Practice Group at Reminger is here and ready to assist you.

Healthcare powers of attorney allow you to name an agent to make healthcare decisions for you if you are not capable of making them for yourself.  The current healthcare power of attorney also permits you to nominate a guardian if one is ever needed and includes an authorization to release your protected health information to your designated agent.  If you become ill and require hospitalization, the hospital will ask if you have a healthcare power of attorney upon admission. Having this document in place ensures that your wishes will be followed in the event of a healthcare crisis.Read More ›

A last will and testament is one of those rare documents in life where formalities apply to the execution. In Ohio, there are specific formalities that must be followed in order for a will to be deemed valid. For example, the testator – that is, the person making the will – must: 

- be an adult, at least 18 years of age 

- of sound mind, - free of undue influence or restraint. R.C. 2107.02. 

The will must be: 

- in writing, 

- signed at the end by the testator (or by someone else at the direction of the testator and in his/her conscious presence), 

- attested and subscribed in the presence of two “competent” witnesses or the testator must acknowledge his/her signature to the two competent witnesses at a later time. R.C. 2107.03. Read More ›