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
Mariemont estate planning and probate lawyers
Wills, trusts and probate for Mariemont, the planned village founded by Mary Emery, with ground broken in 1923, and a National Historic Landmark since 2007.
- 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
Village of Mariemont
National Historic Landmark
Designated in 2007
How we meet
In person, phone or Zoom
First consultation is free
How we help Mariemont 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
Homes, deeds and planning ahead
A deed in a late spouse's name
If the house was held by survivorship deed, the survivor records an affidavit and a death certificate. If not, it usually passes through probate or a release from administration.
Property in another state
A vacation home in another state can require a separate probate there. A living trust can often avoid that.
When probate is needed
Mariemont is in Hamilton County, so estates are opened at the Hamilton County Probate Court downtown.
Probate in Mariemont
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.
“They were not only highly knowledgeable and effective, but discreet, caring and trustworthy with our sensitive situations.”
Mariemont questions
What if the house is still in my late spouse's name?
It depends on the deed. With a survivorship deed, you record an affidavit and death certificate with the county. Without one, the house usually passes through probate or a release from administration. We look at the deed with you.
Do you handle property in another state?
We plan for it. Real estate in another state can require a separate probate there, and a living trust can often avoid that. For the out-of-state filing itself, a lawyer licensed there may be needed.
Which probate court handles an estate from Mariemont?
An estate is opened in the probate court of the county where the person lived. For Mariemont, 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.
When should I update my will?
After a marriage, divorce, new child or grandchild, a death in the family, a move to or from Ohio, or a big change in what you own. Otherwise, a review every few years is a good habit.
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.