Estate Planning Checklist for Ohio Residents

✔️ Plan ahead. Protect what matters most.

1. Create a Last Will and Testament

Your Last Will and Testament is the foundation of any estate plan. In Ohio, your will allows you to:

  • Name an executor to manage your estate

  • Specify who inherits your assets

  • Appoint a guardian for minor children

  • Avoid confusion and family disputes

Check out our Blog “The Right Time for a Will: Why Every Life Stage Needs One”

2. Name a Guardian for Your Minor Children

If you have children under 18, naming a guardian ensures you—not the court—decide who will raise them if something happens to you. This is one of the most important and loving decisions a parent can make.

Check out our Blog “Who Will Raise Your Kids If You Can’t? Why Naming a Guardian in Ohio Matters”

3. Set Up a Durable Financial Power of Attorney

A Durable Financial Power of Attorney allows someone you trust to manage your finances if you're ever incapacitated. This can include:

  • Paying bills

  • Handling banking

  • Managing investments or property

  • Filing taxes

Without this document, your loved ones may need to go to court to take care of your financial affairs.

Check out our Blog “Who Pays the Bills If You Can’t? Understanding Durable Financial Powers of Attorney in Ohio”

4. Complete a Health Care Power of Attorney

A Health Care Power of Attorney lets you appoint someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to speak for yourself.

Check out our Blog “Living Will OR Healthcare Power of Attorney: Do I Need One (or Both)?”

5. Create a Living Will (Advance Directive)

Your Living Will outlines your wishes regarding end-of-life care, such as:

  • Life support

  • Feeding tubes

  • DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders

This document relieves your loved ones from having to make those difficult decisions on their own.

Check out our Blog “Plan Ahead: How to Use Healthcare Directives to Protect Your Medical Choices in Ohio?”

6. Consider a Trust

Depending on your goals, a Revocable Living Trust may be beneficial. Trusts can:

  • Help your family avoid probate

  • Keep your assets private

  • Control when and how heirs receive their inheritance

Check out our Blog “Living Trusts vs. Testamentary Trusts”

7. Review Your Beneficiary Designations

Many assets pass outside of your will. Be sure to regularly review and update beneficiaries on:

  • Life insurance policies

  • Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA)

  • Bank accounts (POD)

  • Real estate or vehicles (TOD)

Check out our Blog “How Non-Probate Assets Work (and Why You Should Review Yours)”

8. Organize and Store Key Documents

Keep your estate plan organized and accessible. Store:

  • Copies of your will, POAs, and trust documents

  • Deeds, titles, and account statements

  • Contact information for your attorney, financial advisor, and executor

Let someone you trust know where everything is kept.

Check out our Blog “Tips for Storing Your Estate Planning Documents (and Making Sure They’re Accessible When It Matters)”

9. Review Your Plan Regularly

Life changes and your estate plan should too. Update your plan after:

  • Marriage or divorce

  • Birth or adoption of a child

  • Moving to or from Ohio

  • Major financial changes

  • The death of a named guardian or beneficiary

We recommend reviewing your estate plan at least every 3-5 years.

Check out our Blog “When and Why You Should Review Your Estate Plan”

Work With an Ohio Estate Planning Attorney

At Ballinger Legal, we help Ohio families create clear, legally sound estate plans that reflect their values and protect what matters most. Whether you're starting from scratch or updating existing documents, we’ll walk you through each step.

📞 Schedule your free consultation today with an Ohio estate planning attorney who truly understands your needs.