Expertise.com
2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Columbus

Our Recommended Top 19

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Columbus Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

178

Reviewed

114

Curated

19

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
3956 Brown Park Drive, Hilliard, OH 43026
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Inheritance Taxes
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

McClenaghan Law Group, Attorneys and Counselors at Law is a firm representing the residents of Columbus. Founding attorney Charles McClenaghan has been practicing law for more than 40 years, and he has experience with both testate and intestate probate cases. He works with the court and the will's beneficiaries to ensure that the will is properly administered. Additional practice areas include real estate law, business formation, and estate planning.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Phillip Haer - Associate9 yrs
Charles McClenaghan - Principal45 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (88)
Facebook
4.8 / 5 (21)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
503 S. High Street, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43215
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Katz, Pryor & DiCuccio, LLP (KPD) is a multi-practice law firm that caters to clients in Columbus. It helps individuals prepare and implement estate plans to navigate through the complex probate process, which includes property appraisal, debt and tax settlements, and the distribution of probate property. KPD also practices real estate, business, and personal injury law. The firm was created with digital tools in mind and constantly uses updated electronic communications platforms to find creative solutions for its clients.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (79)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (11)

Website
620 E. Broad Street, Suite 1005, Columbus, OH 43215
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Fox Law Firm addresses the legal concerns of businesses, families, and individuals in the Columbus area. It works with clients to form an estate plan that protects assets such as investments, financial wealth, and checking and savings accounts. The firm drafts, reviews, and executes various documents, including living trusts, living wills, and powers of attorney. Justin Fox, an attorney at The Fox Law Firm, has been serving clients in Columbus since 2013. He also assists clients with business formation and mergers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Justin Fox - Owner and Principal11 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (81)
Facebook
4.7 / 5 (50)
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)

Website
1220 Goodale Blvd, Columbus, OH 43212
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Legacy Care

Why choose this provider?

Skinner & Associates LLC is a general law firm with a team of probate attorneys in Columbus. Founded in 2014, the firm helps handle the administration of estates, focusing on adoption and guardianship issues as well as title name changes on property. Additionally, its attorneys help families with the estate planning process to establish living wills, health care provisions, powers of attorney, provisions for disabled and minor children, and HIPPA waivers.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Daniel Skinner - Founder/Owner13 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Facebook
4.6 / 5 (9)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
2.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
490 City Park Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Winkler Legal LLC is a Columbus-based law firm focusing on issues that affect individuals, families, and senior citizens, such as estate and probate law. With more than 22 years of experience, founding attorney Dirken D. Winkler helps estate executors grasp the Ohio probate process and resolve will disputes. He also works with people seeking to establish trusts for family members with special needs or plan for the long-term care needs of aging loved ones.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Dirken Winkler - Founder27 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
4.6 / 5 (25)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (7)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
3535 Fishinger Boulevard, Hilliard, OH 43026
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Inheritance Taxes
  • Living Trust
  • Estate Taxes
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

With five offices in the state, Sheppard Law Offices is a firm of civil litigation and probate attorneys near Columbus. The firm's attorneys have experience with simple probate cases, as well as complex ones involving high net worth individuals. They work to ensure that the decedent's will is carried out and that their property is properly split. Founding attorney Kenneth Sheppard Jr. has been honored by Thomson Reuters as a Super Lawyers Rising Star.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Kenneth Sheppard - Principal21 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (36)
FindLaw
3.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
6740 Avery Muirfield Drive, STE B, Dublin, OH 43017
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Arenstein & Andersen Co., LPA, handles estate planning, probate, business, and litigation law. It counsels clients in Columbus and throughout the state on probate, trust administration, and guardianship procedures. G. Gregory Arenstein and Nicholas Andersen started the firm in 2010 and expanded the group to include another shareholder and several of counsel lawyers. The team explains in layman's language legal procedures so clients can fully understand them. It helps in will preparation, power of attorney, and probate matters for estates large or small.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
G. Arenstein - Shareholder/Co-Founder30 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
400 S. Fifth Street, Suite 102, Columbus, OH 43215
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Tunney Lee King, Esq. is a law firm in Columbus that caters to beneficiaries and executors in the city. It educates first-time clients about matters of probate for instances with and without wills. The firm guides each client on paperwork and petitions for the process, such as mortgage payments and inventory of assets. It also oversees disputes between beneficiaries about the distribution of trust funds, property, and personal possessions. The firm's namesake previously worked as an associate editor for the Ohio State Law Journal.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Tunney King - Principal50 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
400 South Fifth Street, Suite 103, Columbus, OH 43215
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Taps Sutton & Roshon assists fiduciaries and executors of estates with their probate needs, including preparing necessary documents, determining the value of assets, managing liquidations and transfers, settling debts, and distributing properties to beneficiaries. The firm, which has over three decades of experience helping the elderly and those with disabilities, also advises Columbus clients on Ohio Medicaid Recovery Program matters. Its attorneys, Richard Taps, Maggie Sutton, and Jessica Roshon, are certified in elder law. Additionally, Taps and Sutton are National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys members.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Richard Taps - Partner46 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.7
Google
4.8 / 5 (10)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (5)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1500 West Third Avenue, Suite 310, Columbus, OH 43212
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Why choose this provider?

Located in Columbus, Clark│Lowe Attorneys At Law is a private legal practice that has been serving individuals and families since 1999. Its attorneys provide legal assistance with all aspects of the probate estate administration process. Services it provides include asset collection, claims and debts assessment, and tax return preparation. It also offers estate litigation services for disputes and contests. Founding attorney David K. Lowe is a member of the Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law Section of the Ohio State Bar Association.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.0
Google
4.2 / 5 (23)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (2)
Avvo
1.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2000 West Henderson Road, Suite 345, Columbus, OH 43220
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Philip Gauer Law provides services for clients throughout Columbus. It handles matters in the practice areas of probate and estate planning, including wills and trusts. It assists clients in setting up durable general powers of attorney and advance directives. In addition, it guides clients in administrating estates, paying the decedent's debts and legal obligations, and distributing assets to rightful heirs. Firm principal Philip Gauer is a member of the Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law Section of the Ohio State Bar Association.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Philip Gauer - Principal33 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (16)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
719 West Market Street, Baltimore, OH 43105
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

The Donald Law Office, LLC, represents clients in the Columbus metro and the surrounding areas. It deals with probate and a range of related matters, including estate, Medicaid, and special needs planning. The firm also handles cases that involve family trusts and veterans' benefits. It is affiliated with the Lawyers with Purpose network, whose members strive to provide customer-focused services. The Donald Law Office's attorneys include Jennifer M. Moore and a veteran, former Major Matthew W. Donald.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Matthew Donald - Principal12 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (14)
Google
5.0 / 5 (12)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
1160 Dublin Rd., Suite 500, Columbus, OH 43215
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

NW Law caters to people living in Columbus and its surrounding areas. It offers probate administration services. It also assists clients in preparing estate planning documents such as durable powers of attorney, revocable trusts, last will and testament, and living wills. Additionally, the firm counsels consumers, agents, investors, and lenders on real estate transactions. Firm president Jonathan Holfinger holds the NTP and OLTP designations. He served as chairperson of the Columbus Bar Association’s Real Property Law Institute.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Jonathan Holfinger - Managing Member and President22 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (54)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
5029 Cemetary Road, Hilliard, OH 43026
  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Painter & Associates LLC Attorney at Law represents individuals, businesses, non-profits, and government entities in Columbus. It assists clients with the probate process and strives to distribute assets in accordance with the law. It offers various estate planning options, including wills, living wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and special needs planning. The practice was founded by Nathan D. Painter, who has experience with federal and state court cases. It also handles family law, personal injury, and business law matters.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
4.8 / 5 (63)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
4248 Tuller Rd Ste 110, Dublin, OH 43017
  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Lisa K. Meier, LLC, assists Columbus residents with estate planning and probate matters. The firm prepares documents to place an estate in the best position and handles will contests and trust disputes. Founding attorney Lisa Meier has over 12 years of experience handling cases related to probate, as well as various family law matters. The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys recognized her in the field of client satisfaction from 2018 to 2021.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.9 / 5 (32)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
7650 Rivers Edge Dr. Suite 101, Columbus, OH 43235
  • Trusts
  • Inheritance Taxes

Why choose this provider?

Cassidy Law Ltd assists residents of Columbus seeking probate services. Its practice areas include estate administration, guardianships and conservatorships, minor settlements, and land sale proceedings. It also conducts probate litigation for cases involving wrongful death. Shamus Cassidy, the firm's founder and managing partner, deals with a wide range of legal matters, such as special needs planning, taxation, elder law, and real estate concerns. He has represented businesses in various industries, including medical practices, franchises, and restaurants.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.2
Google
4.9 / 5 (13)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (5)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
635 Park Meadow Rd Suite 204, Westerville, OH 43081
  • Probate

Why choose this provider?

Willi Law Office LLC finds legal resolutions to estate and tax issues encountered by clients in Columbus and the surrounding areas. Its sole attorney, Kaye Willi, is a certified public accountant and a board-certified specialist in estate planning, trust, and probate law. Willi and her staff of enrolled agents help clients navigate the Ohio probate and trust administration process. The team's practice areas also cover estate planning, fiduciary tax compliance, business succession planning, guardianships, and premarital agreements.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Kaye Willi - Partner41 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.6
Google
4.7 / 5 (34)
Avvo
4.3 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
440 Polaris Pkwy, Ste. 110, Westerville, OH 43082
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Operating in Westerville, Reese Law Firm LLC handles matters of probate for residents of Columbus and nearby communities. It caters to beneficiaries and executors of a will, educating them about the probate and intestate proceedings. The firm can help them process all necessary paperwork for paying off the decedent's mortgage and debts. It can also appraise all assets, such as property rights and trust funds, for distribution among named heirs. Founder Stephen Reese has been praised by previous clients for teaching first-time customers about strategies for handling estate planning and living wills.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Stephen Reese - Principal10 yrs
Stephen Reese - Principal10 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (40)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (14)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
3.8
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––

Website
One East Livingston Avenue Suite A, Columbus, OH 43215
  • Estate Planning

Why choose this provider?

Dahlberg, Stanley & Foderetti, LLC., provides services to clients in Columbus and the surrounding areas. It represents individuals going through probate procedures to help resolve family or heir conflicts relating to their deceased loved ones' assets. It also serves clients wishing to create estate planning documents to prepare for the future of their estate, properties, taxes, wealth, and loved ones. Founding partner Dennis Dahlberg is a divorce and family law mediator certified by The Supreme Court of Ohio.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.9
Google
4.6 / 5 (21)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Columbus, Ohio?

    The non-emergency number of the Columbus Division of Police Headquarters is 614-645-4545.

  • Can you go through probate without the help of an attorney in Columbus?

    It is possible to handle probate matters without the help of an attorney in Columbus. However, it would be smart to seek legal assistance since the probate process can be complex. If you make mistakes or miss any requirements, the process will take longer or even get you into trouble with the court. An attorney can also serve as an effective third party, assisting with the probate of the decedent's estate without dealing with any of the family's difficulties.

  • How long does the probate process take in Columbus?

    The length of time that probate cases in Columbus take highly varies because it will depend on whether the individual died without a will, whether someone is contesting the will, and the size and complexity of the estate. Generally, the process takes a minimum of six months to a year since probate allows creditors some time to file a claim against the estate—a process that cannot be completed in less than six months.

  • Is there any way you can avoid probate in Columbus?

    While you can’t totally avoid probate in Columbus when it comes to estate matters, small estates in the city may be eligible for simplified probate procedures, sparing you the lengthy processes that larger estates have to go through. To be considered a small estate, the decedent’s estate must meet either of the following qualifications:

    • The estate’s value is $35,000 or less
    • The estate is valued at $100,000 or less, and the decedent’s surviving spouse is entitled to receive all assets.
  • How does one initiate the probate process in Columbus?

    To start the probate process in Columbus, the executor, as named in the will, must file an application with the designated probate court in the county where the deceased resided to admit the will probate and to the appointed executor. If there is no will, someone must step out and ask to be chosen as an administrator. Once proper notice is made, the court will appoint the executor or administrator and issue letters of authority.

  • What is the probate court that serves Columbus?

    Each county in Ohio has its probate court, which is part of what the state calls the “common pleas court.” For the wills and the distribution of estates of decedents who resided in Columbus, the probate proceedings take place mainly at the Franklin County Probate Court at 373 S. High Street.

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