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
Montgomery estate planning and probate lawyers
Wills, trusts and probate for families in Montgomery, settled in 1795 and one of the oldest communities in Hamilton County. Talk with an attorney for free first, at our Blue Ash or Loveland office, 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
Settled in 1795
City of Montgomery
Hamilton County
How we meet
In person, phone or Zoom
First consultation is free
How we help Montgomery 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
Planning ahead in Montgomery
A plan that fits
For most families that means a will or living trust, plus powers of attorney and health care directives, at a flat fee you see before any work starts.
Keeping your home out of probate
A home in one person's name alone usually goes through probate in Ohio. A living trust, survivorship deed or transfer on death designation affidavit can avoid it.
If probate is needed
Montgomery estates are opened at the Hamilton County Probate Court downtown. We file the paperwork and keep you updated on every date.
Probate in Montgomery
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 made our estate planning process easy and straightforward. I found the price for the services to be well worth it and they were upfront about what the cost would be.”
Montgomery questions
Which probate court handles an estate from Montgomery?
An estate is opened in the probate court of the county where the person lived. For Montgomery, that is the Hamilton County Probate Court, at William Howard Taft Center, 230 East Ninth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Can my home avoid probate?
Yes. In Ohio, a home in one person's name alone usually goes through probate. A living trust, a survivorship deed or a transfer on death designation affidavit (Ohio Revised Code 5302.22) can let it pass without probate.
How long does probate take?
At least six months in most cases, because Ohio gives creditors six months from the date of death to present claims (Ohio Revised Code 2117.06). Many estates take longer.
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.