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
West Chester estate planning and probate lawyers
Wills, trusts and probate for West Chester Township families. West Chester is in Butler County, so estates are handled at the Butler County Probate Court in Hamilton.
- Free first consultation
- Flat-fee estate plans
- Offices in Loveland and Blue Ash
Where an estate is filed
Butler County Probate Court
101 High Street, Hamilton, OH 45011
West Chester Township
Butler County
Called Union Township until 2000
How we meet
In person, phone or Zoom
First consultation is free
How we help West Chester 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
West Chester estates and Butler County
Not the Hamilton County court
West Chester estates are filed at the Butler County Probate Court in the city of Hamilton, not at the Hamilton County court in Cincinnati.
Older deeds may say Union Township
West Chester was named Union Township until 2000, so older deeds and records may still use that name. It does not change ownership or where an estate is filed.
A township, not a city
West Chester is one of Butler County's townships. Voters have kept it a township, and its estates are handled at the county level like everywhere else.
Probate in West Chester
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
Butler County Probate Court
- 101 High Street, Hamilton, OH 45011
- (513) 887-3294 · probatecourt.bcohio.gov
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.
“Steve made our estate planning process easy and straightforward. I found the price for the services to be well worth it and they were upfront about what the cost would be.”
West Chester questions
Is West Chester probate filed in Hamilton County?
No. West Chester Township is in Butler County, so estates are opened at the Butler County Probate Court, 101 High Street in the city of Hamilton.
My deed says Union Township. Is that a problem?
No. West Chester Township was called Union Township until June 2000. The name on an older deed does not change ownership. We review the deed as part of your plan or the estate.
Can my home avoid probate?
Yes. In Ohio, a home in one person's name alone usually goes through probate. A living trust, a survivorship deed or a transfer on death designation affidavit (Ohio Revised Code 5302.22) can let it pass without probate.
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.
Does Ohio have an estate tax?
No. Ohio repealed its estate tax for deaths on or after January 1, 2013. Most families plan around probate, incapacity and who inherits, not taxes.
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.