Howard Law Office

Howard Law Office Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Howard Law Office, Estate Planning Lawyer, 4130 Linden Avenue, Ste 304, Dayton, OH.

Howard Law Office is a boutique firm in Dayton, Ohio with an emphasis on Wills & Trusts, Estate Planning, Probate, Real Estate, Small Business, and related Litigation.

06/12/2026

Welcome back to Where Law Meets Understanding: Your Weekly Guide to Peace of Mind, brought to you by Howard Law Office. Follow along with us every week, as we attempt to shed some light on different legal processes ranging from Estate Planning & Probate, to certain types of real-estate transactions. Over the next few weeks our focus will be the process of Probate, and why it is such an important step to make for you and your family.

What is Probate — and Why Does It Matter?
You may have heard the term probate before, but what does it actually mean?

Probate is the legal process that happens after someone passes away. It’s how the court:

✔️ Validates a will (if there is one)
✔️ Ensures debts and taxes are paid
✔️ Distributes remaining assets to the rightful heirs

Unlike when there is a will, where direction are given for how you want your property disbursed, in the event there is no Last Will & Testament, the court will distribute belongings and assets according to state law—typically to the next of kin. This may not always reflect what the person would have wanted, which is why planning ahead is so important.

While probate is an important process, it can sometimes be time-consuming, public, and costly—especially if there isn’t a clear plan in place.

How long does probate take?
On the faster side, probate can take around 6 months, but more commonly, estates take closer to 18 months on average to fully settle. In more complex situations, it can take even longer.

Why is probate important?
It helps prevent disputes, ensures everything is handled legally, and provides a structured way to settle an estate. But without proper planning, it can create extra stress for loved ones during an already difficult time.

The good news: With the right estate planning (like wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations), you can often simplify—or even avoid—probate altogether.

Taking time to plan today can make things much easier for your family tomorrow. ❤️

If you have questions about probate or estate planning, feel free to reach out!

06/03/2026

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

💡 Did You Know? (Ohio Real Estate Tip)

Just because two names are on a deed in Ohio doesn’t automatically mean the property will pass directly to the surviving owner.

👉 In Ohio, a property will only transfer outside of probate if the deed includes specific language creating a “Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship.” (This is excluding a transfer on Death Affidavit being recorded prior to someone's passing)

Without that survivorship wording:

Each owner’s share is considered separate.
When one owner passes away, their portion may have to go through probate.
This can delay transfer and create added legal costs for loved ones.

✅ To avoid this, the deed must clearly state survivorship rights—simply listing co-owners is not enough.

📌 Bottom line: Proper wording matters. Without survivorship rights being explicitly laid out, multiple owners are known as tenants in common, and shares of ownership are fractional.

If your goal is to ensure a smooth transfer of property, make sure your deed is reviewed and structured correctly.

If you’re unsure how your deed is titled, it may be worth having it checked—small details can make a big difference later.

If you are in need of a corrective deed, give our office a call to see how we can assist you.

05/22/2026

Welcome back to Where Law Meets Understanding: Your Weekly Guide to Peace of Mind—brought to you by Howard Law Office. Each week, we’re here to help simplify important legal topics—from Estate Planning & Probate to certain real estate transactions—so you can feel confident and informed.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be focusing on Estate Planning and why it’s such a crucial step for protecting you and your family.

📄 Assignment of Right of Disposition of Bodily Remains

What is it?

This is a legal document that allows you to choose a trusted individual to handle your final arrangements. It outlines your wishes for your celebration of life, burial or cremation, funeral services, and any religious or cultural preferences you want honored.

Why is this important?

Having this document in place ensures:
✔️ The right person is clearly designated to carry out your wishes; without it, state law dictates who controls, i.e. spouse, parents, sibling, etc.
✔️ Your preferences for burial or cremation are respected
✔️ Your religious or cultural beliefs are honored
✔️ Your loved ones have clarity during an emotional time

Planning ahead isn’t always easy—but it brings peace of mind to both you and your family. Stay tuned next week as we continue breaking down the essentials of estate planning! 💼💙

05/20/2026

Did you know? 💡

A Last Will & Testament can absolutely name who should receive your real estate—but that doesn’t mean it avoids probate.

Even if a beneficiary is clearly listed in your will, the property typically still has to go through the probate court process before ownership can legally transfer.

✅ If you want to bypass probate, you may need additional tools, such as:
A Transfer on Death (TOD) Affidavit/Designation.
A Survivorship Deed (Joint Tenancy with Right of Survivorship).

These methods allow real estate to transfer directly to your chosen beneficiary without court involvement, saving time, cost, and stress for your loved ones.

💡 Planning ahead ensures your property passes the way you intend—efficiently and privately.

05/15/2026

Welcome back to Where Law Meets Understanding: Your Weekly Guide to Peace of Mind, brought to you by Howard Law Office. Follow along with us every week, as we attempt to shed some light on different legal processes ranging from Estate Planning & Probate, to certain types of real-estate transactions. Over the next few weeks our focus will be the process of Estate Planning, and why it is such an important step to make for you and your family.



Why get a Power of Attorney if you’re perfectly fine right now? 🤔



Because life doesn’t always go as planned.



Think of a Power of Attorney (POA) as your “just in case” plan. Even if you're healthy and fully independent today, unexpected things can happen—an illness, accident, or emergency that leaves you unable to make decisions for yourself.



There are two key types to know about:



🔹 Durable Power of Attorney (Financial)
This allows someone you trust to handle your financial matters if you’re unable to. That can include:
✔️ Paying bills, utilities, and mortgage
✔️ Accessing bank accounts
✔️ Managing day-to-day finances



🔹 Healthcare Power of Attorney
This gives someone the ability to make medical decisions on your behalf if you can’t speak for yourself, including:
✔️ Communicating with doctors
✔️ Approving treatments or care plans
✔️ Transferring medical records



Without these documents, your loved ones may NOT be able to step in quickly—no matter how much they want to help. Privacy laws are strict and prevent financial institutions and healthcare providers from sharing information without proper authorization. Failure to have these documents in place could require guardianship or conservatorship proceedings which are very costly and are public record.



Setting up a Power of Attorney means:
✅ You choose who you trust
✅ Your wishes are respected
✅ Your loved ones avoid stress and legal hurdles



It’s not about expecting the worst—it’s about being prepared for anything. 💙

05/13/2026

Did you know? 💡
The practice of creating a Last Will & Testament has a rich history, dating back to ancient times, with the oldest written Will on record discovered in Egypt, dating back to the 1700 BC, and remarkably, it was even witnessed (a practice still observed today.)
The concept of a will was formalized in English common law, which was passed by the English Parliament in 1540, with adaptations and attempts at standardization being made to American Wills over time to the documents you see today.

05/11/2026

🌷 Monday Reflection from Howard Law Office 🌷

We hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day celebrating the incredible women who shape our lives. 💐

Mothers teach us strength, resilience, and the importance of protecting what matters most—values we carry into everything we do at Howard Law Office.

As we move into a new week, it’s a great time to reflect on how we can safeguard our families, our futures, and the legacies we’re building for those we love.
Whether it’s planning ahead or navigating life’s unexpected moments, we’re here to help you protect what means the most.

💼 Trusted guidance
💙 Compassionate support
⚖️ Dedicated representation
Start your week with confidence—and with your family in mind.
📞 Reach out today to learn how we can support you.

05/08/2026

Welcome back to Where Law Meets Understanding: Your Weekly Guide to Peace of Mind, brought to you by Howard Law Office. Follow along with us every week, as we attempt to shed some light on different legal processes ranging from Estate Planning & Probate, to certain types of real-estate transactions. Over the next few weeks our focus will be the process of Estate Planning, and why it is such an important step to make for you and your family.

Last Will & Testament vs. Living Will vs. Living Trust— What’s the Difference? 🤔

✅ Last Will & Testament (Will):

This is a legally binding document that takes effect after you pass away and applies only to real and personal property in your name alone at death. This document is filed in Probate Court and it tells your executor how to:
Distribute your assets and personal property
Handle your estate
Name guardians for any dependents

✅ Living Will:

This is medical advance directive document used while you’re still alive, but unable to communicate your wishes. It is directions to medical staff; outlining your preferences for life-sustaining treatments if recovery isn’t expected. This overrides a durable healthcare power of attorney; as directs medical professionals to make all decisions.

✅ Living Trust — What Is It?
A Living Trust is a legal tool that holds your assets while you’re still alive and helps manage what happens to them after you pass.
Think of it as an “umbrella” that:
Controls your assets during your lifetime.
Keeps you in control while you’re alive.
Creates a clear plan and chain of command for distributing your assets after death.
Avoids Probate

💡 Why it matters:
A Living Trust can help your loved ones avoid probate, making the process faster, more private, and often less costly.

⚖️ Key takeaway:

A Will protects your family and assets after death, but is under Probate control.

A Living Will allows medical professionals to make decisions for you during life; rather than persons you choose under a durable heath care power of attorney.

A Living Trust controls your assets while you are alive, and allows for a smooth transfer after you have passed.

These three important documents may sound similar, but they serve very different purposes

05/07/2026

Did you know?

There is an approximate of 90,000 probate cases filed every year in the state of Ohio! And the average time to process an estate through the probate court is about 6-12 months IF there are no complications, challenges, or claims against the estate, which can prolong the process significantly and potentially freeze your assets within the estate, until the probate case has run it's course.

Consider consulting our office to develop a secure plan for your family's future.

In our office, there is a distinct debate on the primary source of our weekly energy: coffee or Alani Nu supplements. Wh...
05/05/2026

In our office, there is a distinct debate on the primary source of our weekly energy: coffee or Alani Nu supplements. Which one do you rely on to fuel your productivity?

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4130 Linden Avenue, Ste 304
Dayton, OH
45432

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