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
Hyde Park estate planning and probate lawyers
Wills, trusts and probate for Hyde Park, one of Cincinnati's 52 neighborhoods, from the homes around Hyde Park Square to Erie Avenue.
- 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
Hyde Park
A Cincinnati neighborhood
Around Hyde Park Square
How we meet
In person, phone or Zoom
First consultation is free
How we help Hyde Park 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 for every stage
Young children
Your will is where you name who would raise your minor children. Ohio gives that choice strong weight.
Incapacity, not just death
A financial power of attorney and health care directive let someone you trust step in without going to court.
A county court
Hyde Park is part of Cincinnati, and Cincinnati estates are opened at the Hamilton County Probate Court downtown.
Probate in Hyde Park
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.
“The team was always very understanding about the situations and willing to reschedule. Additionally, I found their pricing to be very reasonable.”
Hyde Park questions
Is Hyde Park probate handled by Cincinnati or Hamilton County?
Hamilton County. Probate is a county court, so Hyde Park estates are opened at the Hamilton County Probate Court, 230 East Ninth Street.
How do I name a guardian for my children?
In your will. Ohio lets parents name who they want to raise their minor children, and the court gives that choice strong weight.
Does a will avoid probate?
No. A will tells the court who inherits and who should serve as executor, but it is carried out through probate. A funded living trust is the usual way to avoid it.
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.
Do I have to come into the office?
No. You can meet us at our Loveland or Blue Ash office, or by phone or Zoom. Many clients meet remotely and come in only to sign.
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.