Planning ahead
Estate planning
- Wills and living trusts
- Powers of attorney and health care directives
- Special needs and irrevocable trusts
- Flat-fee plans, explained before any work starts
Madeira estate planning and probate lawyers
Wills, trusts and probate for Madeira, laid out in 1871 and named for landowner John Madeira. Talk with an attorney for free first, in person, by phone or by Zoom.
- Free first consultation
- Flat-fee estate plans
- Offices in Loveland and Blue Ash
Where an estate is filed
Hamilton County Probate Court
William Howard Taft Center, 230 East Ninth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
City of Madeira
Laid out in 1871
Hamilton County
How we meet
In person, phone or Zoom
First consultation is free
How we help Madeira families
Whether you are planning ahead or handling things after a loss, you work directly with an attorney who explains every step in plain language.
After a loss
Probate and trust administration
- Guidance for executors, start to finish
- Estates with or without a will
- Settling a trust after a loved one passes
- Will and estate disputes
What actually avoids probate
A will alone does not
A will tells the court who inherits, but it is carried out through probate. A funded living trust is the usual way to avoid it.
Beneficiaries and joint accounts do
Accounts with a payable on death beneficiary and property held jointly with survivorship generally pass without probate.
When probate is needed
Madeira is in Hamilton County, so estates are opened at the Hamilton County Probate Court downtown. We file the paperwork for you.
Probate in Madeira
Ohio sets the steps: open the estate, file the inventory within three months of appointment, allow six months from the date of death for creditor claims, then distribute and close.
Smaller estates, $35,000 or less, or $100,000 or less when a surviving spouse inherits everything, may qualify for a shorter release from administration.
Sources: Ohio Revised Code 2115.02, 2117.06 and 2113.03.
Visiting the court
Hamilton County Probate Court
- William Howard Taft Center, 230 East Ninth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
- (513) 946-3570 · probatect.org
We prepare and file the forms for you, and keep you updated on every court date.
You meet with an attorney, every time
Every consultation is with one of our estate planning and probate attorneys, backed by a team that keeps you updated between meetings.
“Most families don’t need the most complicated plan. They need the right one, explained in plain English.”
Steve R. Wolterman
Founding Attorney
Wills, trusts and probate for Ohio families since founding the firm in 2008.
- Admitted to the Ohio bar in 2007
- J.D., University of Cincinnati College of Law
- B.S. Finance, Clemson University
- Certified Exchange Specialist (CES)
“Probate is a lot to handle after a loss. My job is to make sure you always know what happens next.”
Cassidy Carstens
Attorney
Focuses on probate administration for estates of all sizes, and on estate planning.
- With the firm since 2015, from secretary to attorney
- J.D., University of Cincinnati College of Law
- Admitted to the Ohio bar in 2023
- B.S. Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati
And the team behind them
Emily Ames
Office Manager
Scheduling, documents and updates between meetings.
Alex Brammer
Client Services Coordinator
Document signings and help getting everything finalized.
Henrietta Heywood
Client Care Coordinator
Answers your calls, schedules meetings and checks in with clients.
“Steve Wolterman and his team were wonderful to work with. First they helped us with our estate planning. They made the process comfortable and easy.”
Madeira questions
Does a will avoid probate?
No. A will tells the court who inherits and who should serve as executor, but it is carried out through probate. A funded living trust is the usual way to avoid it.
Do I need probate if everything is joint or has a beneficiary?
Usually not for those assets. Accounts with a payable on death or transfer on death beneficiary, and property held jointly with survivorship, generally pass without probate. Anything in the person's name alone may still need it.
Which probate court handles an estate from Madeira?
An estate is opened in the probate court of the county where the person lived. For Madeira, that is the Hamilton County Probate Court, at William Howard Taft Center, 230 East Ninth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
How much does an estate plan cost?
Our estate plans are a flat fee, and we go over your exact cost at the free consultation before any work starts.
What does an executor do first?
Find the original will, ask us to open the estate with the probate court, and hold off on paying debts or handing out belongings until you are appointed. We give you a checklist at the first meeting.
Communities we serve nearby
Families across Greater Cincinnati work with our Loveland and Blue Ash offices.
Talk with an attorney for free
Tell us what is going on and we will explain your options and the next step.