National Make-A-Will Month: Why August Is the Time to Act for Ohio Families

Every August, estate planning attorneys across the country observe National Make-A-Will Month, a campaign designed to address one of the most persistent problems in personal finance: most American adults do not have a will. According to recent surveys, fewer than one in three adults has a basic estate planning document in place. For Ohio families, that means the state's intestacy laws, not your wishes, will determine what happens to your home, your savings, and your children if something happens to you.

This August, Wolterman Law is using National Make-A-Will Month as a reminder that estate planning does not have to be complicated, expensive, or time-consuming. A clear plan can be put in place in a single consultation. Here is what Ohio families need to know.

Why is August National Make-A-Will Month?

National Make-A-Will Month was established to create a dedicated moment in the calendar for families to address estate planning. August was chosen in part because it falls between the busy spring and fall seasons, giving families a natural window to focus on longer-term planning before the school year and holidays begin.

The campaign is supported by estate planning attorneys, financial advisors, and nonprofit organizations that work with families navigating the aftermath of a death without a plan in place. The consequences are well-documented: estates without a valid will often take significantly longer to settle, cost more in probate fees, and create conflict among family members over assets and caregiver decisions.

For Ohio families specifically, dying without a will means your estate passes under ORC Chapter 2105, Ohio's intestacy statute. The statute distributes assets in a fixed order: first to a surviving spouse and children, then to parents, siblings, and more distant relatives. If you have a blended family, a domestic partner, close friends, or a charity you want to benefit, none of those relationships or intentions have any legal weight without a valid will.

How much does a will cost in Ohio?

Cost is the most common reason people give for not having a will, and it is almost always based on an overestimate. A basic will in Ohio, drafted by an attorney, typically costs between $300 and $800. A more complete estate plan that includes a will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare directive generally starts around $800 for an individual.

For couples planning together, a will-based estate plan at Wolterman Law starts at $1,400. A trust-based plan, which avoids probate entirely, starts at $2,800 for a couple. The difference in cost between a will and a trust is often smaller than people expect, and the long-term savings from avoiding probate can be significant.

Online will templates are available for less, but they carry real risk. Ohio has specific requirements for a valid will under ORC 2107.03: the document must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two adults who are not beneficiaries. A template that does not meet these requirements may be invalid, which means your family ends up in probate court anyway, with no guidance from you on how to proceed.

The cost of an attorney-drafted will is a one-time investment that can save your family thousands of dollars and months of court proceedings. It is also one of the few legal documents where the cost of getting it wrong is entirely borne by the people you leave behind, not by you.

Do I need an estate planning attorney for a will?

Ohio does not require you to use an attorney to create a will. However, working with one is strongly recommended for most families. The reason is not complexity. It is precision. A will that is technically valid but poorly drafted can create ambiguity that leads to family disputes, delays in probate, and outcomes you did not intend.

An estate planning attorney in Ohio will ensure your will meets all statutory requirements, reflects your actual wishes clearly, names the right people in the right roles (executor, a trusted caregiver for your minor children, trustee if applicable), and accounts for assets that pass outside the will, such as retirement accounts, life insurance, and jointly held property.

For families with minor children, the caregiver designation alone is worth the cost of an attorney. If you have children and no will, an Ohio probate court will appoint a trusted caregiver based on the court's judgment of what is in the child's best interest. That judgment may or may not align with your wishes. A valid will gives you the ability to name the person you trust to raise your children.

For families with more complex situations, including blended families, business ownership, significant real estate, or a family member with special needs, an attorney is not optional. The stakes of getting the document wrong are too high.

What an estate planning consultation at Wolterman Law covers

A consultation with a Wolterman Law estate planning attorney covers your current assets and family situation, your goals for how assets should be distributed, whether a will-based or trust-based plan is the better fit, the roles you need to assign (executor, power of attorney, healthcare proxy, caregiver), and a clear timeline and cost estimate for completing your plan.

Consultations are available by phone, Zoom, or in person, and last up to 60 minutes. There is no obligation to move forward after the consultation.

What happens if you die without a will in Ohio?

Without a valid will, your estate is considered intestate and passes under ORC Chapter 2105. The probate court appoints an administrator (rather than an executor you chose), and assets are distributed according to the statutory hierarchy regardless of your relationships or intentions.

For a married person with children, Ohio intestacy law splits the estate between the surviving spouse and the children, which can create complications when the surviving spouse needs access to the full estate to maintain their standard of living. For unmarried partners, intestacy law provides nothing: a domestic partner of 20 years has no legal claim to any asset without a will or beneficiary designation.

The probate process in Ohio typically takes 6 to 12 months for a straightforward estate. Contested estates, those with real property, or those with unclear asset ownership can take significantly longer. Attorney fees, court costs, and executor compensation are paid from the estate before any distribution to beneficiaries.

How to get started this August

National Make-A-Will Month is a good prompt, but the real reason to act is that the people who depend on you deserve a clear plan. The process is simpler than most people expect. A single consultation is enough to understand your options, get a cost estimate, and decide whether to move forward.

Wolterman Law serves Ohio families in estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and probate. Attorneys Steve R. Wolterman, Cassidy Carstens, and Maggie Fibbe work with families across Southwest Ohio to put clear, legally sound plans in place.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is National Make-A-Will Month?

National Make-A-Will Month is observed every August as a nationwide campaign encouraging individuals and families to stop procrastinating and put a legal estate plan in place. The goal is to raise awareness that most Americans do not have a will and that the consequences of dying without one can be financially and emotionally devastating for the people left behind.

How much does a will cost in Ohio?

A basic will in Ohio typically costs between $300 and $800 when drafted by an attorney. A more comprehensive estate plan that includes a will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare directive generally starts around $800 for an individual. Couples planning together often pay between $1,400 and $1,800 for a complete will-based plan. Costs vary depending on the complexity of your estate and the attorney you work with.

Do I need an estate planning attorney to make a will in Ohio?

Ohio does not require you to use an attorney to create a will, but working with one is strongly recommended. Ohio has specific requirements for a valid will, including that it must be signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses who also sign the document. An attorney ensures your will meets all legal requirements, reflects your actual wishes, and holds up in probate court. Online will templates often miss important details that can cause problems for your family later.

What happens if I die without a will in Ohio?

If you die without a will in Ohio, your estate passes under Ohio's intestacy laws (ORC Chapter 2105). The state decides who receives your assets based on a fixed hierarchy of relatives, starting with your spouse and children. If you have no living relatives, your estate escheats to the state. Your wishes, your relationships, and your intentions have no legal weight without a valid will.

Is a will enough, or do I also need a trust?

For many Ohio families, a will is a strong starting point. However, a will alone does not avoid probate, which means your estate will go through the Ohio probate court process before assets are distributed. A revocable living trust avoids probate entirely and can provide more control over how and when assets are distributed. An estate planning attorney can help you determine which approach makes the most sense for your specific situation.