Jessa Gary, Estate Planning & Probate Attorney

09/14/2026

Misconception Monday: You've heard it, but is it actually true?

It's been a while since I have posted one of these so now through the end of the year, I will be posting a misconception every Monday relating to estate planning and probate.

MYTH: "I'm married so everything will automatically go to my spouse."

TRUTH: The fact that you are married does not automatically mean that your assets will pass to your surviving spouse. The key is how assets are titled and beneficiaries are designated. For instance, if you are married, but have your children as beneficiaries on your life insurance policy, those proceeds will go to your children and not your spouse. There are many other situations that I can reference, but you get the point.

MONDAY TAKEAWAY: Do not "plan" based on what you've heard from your friends, neighbors, co-workers or social media. Speak to an attorney focusing their practice on estate planning and probate.

Have an estate-planning misconception you've always wondered about? Feel free to post one in the comments and I will address it in the weeks to come.

09/09/2026

💙 Celebrating Jaci & Baby Jackson! 💙

Our team had the sweetest surprise for our amazing paralegal, Jaci, as she gets ready to welcome her baby boy, Jackson, into the world! 🍼👶🏼

We celebrated with a surprise shower filled with delicious food, thoughtful gifts, lots of laughter, and plenty of excitement for the little guy who will soon be joining the family. 💙

We are so grateful for all that Jaci brings to our team—not only her hard work and dedication, but also the kindness and positivity she brings to our office every day.

Jaci, we are so excited for you and this next chapter! Jackson is already so loved, and we can’t wait to meet him.

09/08/2026

It was a pleasure to be part of the Senior Living Truth Empowered Series, presenting on “The Truth About Probate for Homeowners.”

One of the most rewarding aspects of these conversations is the opportunity to connect with people, answer questions, and address the real concerns they have about protecting their homes and their families. This audience was especially engaged, with thoughtful participation and meaningful questions throughout the discussion.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such a great conversation. Your questions are exactly why these educational opportunities are so important.

A special thank you to Regina Hill for hosting and for creating a space where homeowners can gain practical knowledge and feel empowered to take the next step in planning for the future.

Estate planning isn’t simply about documents. It’s about preparation, education, and giving your family greater clarity when they need it most.

09/02/2026

🎶 MacArthur 🎶

I heard this country song recently, and as an estate planning and probate attorney, it made me think about something I talk about with families all the time:

We aren’t really planning for things. We’re planning for people.

A house isn’t just a house.

It’s where your kids took their first steps.
Where holidays happened.
Where family gathered around the table.
Where memories were made.

A piece of jewelry may not be worth a fortune, but it might have belonged to your grandmother.

A cabin may be just property on paper, but to your family, it may be the place where everyone spent summers together.

A family business isn’t just an asset—it may represent decades of sacrifice, hard work, and dreams.

That’s why estate planning matters.

Yes, we need to talk about wills, trusts, probate, beneficiary designations and who gets what.

But underneath all of that is something much more important:

❤️ What do you want your family to have when you’re no longer here?

And sometimes the answer isn’t about money at all.

It’s about a home.

A photograph.

A recipe.

A piece of jewelry.

A family tradition.

A place.

A story.

A memory.

Your estate is your legacy—but your legacy is so much more than your estate.

Maybe that’s why songs like MacArthur hit a little differently when you’re an estate planning attorney. 🎶

05/26/2026

This case was open for over 2-years solely to deal with issues related to back taxes the decedent had with the State of Ohio and the IRS. We were thankfully able to resolve the debts with money left over to be distributed to the beneficiary.

While we strive to be efficient in probate and trust administration cases, sometimes it is not possible as we are dealing with outside entities that can slow things down.

Please reach out to us should you have a probate or trust administration matter that you need assistance with.

When estate administration intersects with business development, tax debt and family responsibility, the path forward can become complicated. In a new case study, our Partner Jessa Gary shares how thoughtful probate strategy preserved an inheritance at risk of being lost to mounting tax obligations....

05/22/2026

Client relationships are built long before a matter is resolved. They begin with the first phone call, the first questions asked and the first opportunity to provide clarity during what can often be a difficult or unfamiliar process.

We take that that responsibility seriously. We are committed to being responsive, prepared, attentive from the moment a client reaches out, ensuring the feel informed and supported at every stage.

03/14/2026

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Estate Planning Must Do's

Adulting level expert: getting your life organized before someone else has to.

YOU know that nagging feeling that you know you need to do it, but it's an uncomfortable topic! STOP. This is for YOU!!!

No more procrastinating it's time to get your Affairs in order!

Estate planning is not about fear. It is about clarity, preparation, and peace of mind for the people you love. EARLIER IS BETTER!

• Tuesday, March 31
• 6:00 to 8:30 PM
• $25 per person

Includes
• Legacy Binder with organized tabs to guide you step by step
• Food and one drink ticket
• Practical insights to help you get everything in order
• Huntington will be speaking about their caregiver banking program,


📍 Aficionado
8909 South Old State Road
Lewis Center, OH 43035

It is one of the greatest gifts you can leave your family.

https://crtrealtors.com/kht-estate-planning

https://afpolaris.com/

SPACES ARE VERY LIMITED!

01/25/2026

🚨 Do You Really Need an Estate Plan?
Most people wait too long—and it ends up costing their loved ones.

🎙️ On this episode of the Legacy Leaders Podcast, guest host Vance Bennett sits down with elder law attorney Jessa Gary to talk about the top estate planning mistakes, avoiding probate in multiple states, and how to protect your legacy with simple but powerful legal tools.

✅ Why you should NEVER rely on the state to decide who gets your assets
✅ How a missing beneficiary can derail everything
✅ The truth about wills, trusts, and probate
✅ What “snowbirds” need to know about owning homes in different states
✅ And why being proactive, not reactive, matters most

📢 Whether you're planning for yourself, your parents, or your clients—this episode is packed with insight and real-world advice.

🎧 Listen now: https://apple.co/3f9srME

Jessa Gary

Education Podcast · Updated Semiweekly · The Legacy Leaders podcast introduces listeners to Stan Miller and Katie Beth Hand. Stan is the CEO of Pinnacle Legacy law based in Little Rock, Arkansas where he has protected over $4 billion of clie…

10/31/2025

We’re proud to celebrate an incredible milestone for four of our current and retired attorneys Lawrence A. Belskis, James C. Carpenter, Michael L. Close, and Gregory M. Travalio who is marking 50 years in the legal profession this year!
Their decades of dedication, leadership, and service have made a lasting impact on both the legal community and the clients they’ve served.
It was an honor to see their remarkable careers recognized at the Columbus Bar Foundation Annual Meeting earlier this month.
Read the full article here: https://www.isaacwiles.com/blog/celebrating-50-years-in-the-legal-profession/

10/28/2025

High-stakes moments in business litigation often center on what’s called an “Apex deposition” when one side seeks to depose the other’s CEO or top executive.
These depositions are rare, tightly controlled by courts, and can shape the outcome of a case. Counsel on both sides must navigate complex motions, protect their clients, and master every procedural nuance.
The stakes? Time, cost, and potentially, the direction of the entire lawsuit.
Read the full article here: https://www.isaacwiles.com/blog/apex-depositions-bring-high-tension-and-drama-to-business-litigation/