Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s assets are distributed under court supervision. In Ohio, probate can be time-consuming, costly, and public—making it something many families prefer to avoid. Fortunately, there are several legal strategies available that allow individuals to keep their assets out of probate and simplify the transfer of wealth.

At Singler Law LLC, we assist clients throughout Cincinnati with developing estate plans tailored to their needs, helping them minimize or avoid probate whenever possible.

Why Avoid Probate?

Avoiding probate can benefit your family in several ways:

• Privacy: Probate is a public process. Avoiding it helps keep your financial matters private.
• Speed: Non-probate transfers generally occur more quickly than court-supervised probate.
• Cost: Probate can involve attorney fees, court costs, and delays. Avoiding it often reduces these expenses.

Strategies to Avoid Probate in Ohio

1. Revocable Living Trust
A living trust allows you to place assets into a trust during your lifetime and name a trustee to manage and distribute them upon your death. Since the assets are owned by the trust—not you personally—they bypass probate.

2. Transfer-on-Death (TOD) Designations
Ohio allows TOD designations on real estate, vehicles, and financial accounts. These let you name a beneficiary who will receive the asset directly upon your death, avoiding probate.

3. Joint Ownership with Rights of Survivorship
Property owned jointly with another person—such as a spouse—automatically transfers to the surviving owner when one passes away. This method works well for real estate and bank accounts.

4. Payable-on-Death (POD) Accounts
Bank accounts can often be designated as POD, meaning the funds will go directly to the named beneficiary after your death without probate.

5. Gifting During Lifetime
Giving assets to loved ones while you’re still alive can reduce the size of your estate and avoid probate entirely on those assets.

The Importance of Legal Guidance

Every family’s situation is unique, and improperly executed documents or overlooked assets can still lead to probate. That’s why working with an attorney can make a significant difference. At Singler Law LLC, we help Cincinnati residents create comprehensive estate plans that aim to avoid probate while protecting their loved ones.