Practice Areas

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Wills - Estate planning is an important process that involves preparing for the transfer of an individual’s assets and properties after their death. It is essential to have a comprehensive estate plan in place to ensure that your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are taken care of. We can create a plan, specific to your needs, that can help ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes and that your preferences are respected.

Trusts - A trust is a legal arrangement that allows you to transfer your assets to a trustee who will manage them on behalf of your beneficiaries. There are different types of trusts, such as revocable living trusts and irrevocable trusts, that can be used for different purposes such as protection from creditors or planning for the care of a beneficiary with special needs. Trusts also provide additional benefits including added privacy and avoiding potentially costly and length probate administration proceedings. Contact us to discuss if a trust may be suitable for your needs.

Pet Planning - A pet trust ensures the lifelong care and well-being of your beloved animals by legally designating caregivers and providing dedicated funds for their needs, providing reassurance that your pets will be protected even if you're unable to care for them. It provides a compassionate and legally enforceable solution to guarantee your pets' continued happiness and security in your absence. 

Living Wills - A living will is a valuable legal document that allows you to express your medical treatment preferences in advance, ensuring that your healthcare decisions align with your values and wishes, even if you're unable to communicate them. It provides peace of mind to both you and your loved ones by reducing uncertainty during critical healthcare situations and guaranteeing your choices are respected.

Healthcare Power of Attorney - A healthcare power of attorney is a crucial document that empowers someone you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf if you're unable to do so. By designating a trusted individual, you ensure your healthcare preferences are honored and provide a clear path for timely and informed medical choices during critical moments.

Durable Power of Attorney - A durable power of attorney is a vital tool that allows you to appoint a trusted representative to manage your financial and legal affairs, even if you become incapacitated. By establishing this legal document, you ensure that your financial matters are handled seamlessly and according to your wishes, providing both security and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

HIPAA Release - A HIPAA release is a crucial document that grants designated individuals access to your medical information, allowing them to make informed healthcare decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. This release ensures that your medical preferences are respected and your loved ones can remain informed and act on your behalf during times of incapacity, contributing to a comprehensive and effective estate plan.

At Egelhoff Law Firm, LLC, we specialize in crafting meticulous estate plans that safeguard your legacy and provide for your loved ones with grace and precision. Contact us today to embark on the journey of securing your family's future, and let us be your trusted partner in preserving what is most dear to you.

In Ohio, the divorce process begins when one spouse files a Complaint for Divorce in the Domestic Relations Court of the county where either spouse has lived for at least six months. The filing party must allege grounds for divorce, such as incompatibility, adultery, extreme cruelty, or living separately for at least one year. The non-filing spouse is served with the complaint and has an opportunity to respond. If the divorce is contested, the process involves discovery, negotiation, and possibly mediation before proceeding to trial, where a judge will decide issues such as child custody, property division, spousal support, and child support. If both parties agree on all terms, they may submit a settlement agreement for court approval, avoiding a trial. Once the judge issues a final decree of divorce, the marriage is legally terminated.

Why Choose a Divorce - Divorce is the preferred option for many individuals because it allows for a full resolution of marital issues, including asset division, spousal support, and parental rights, under court supervision. Unlike dissolution of marriage, which requires both spouses to agree on all terms before filing, divorce provides a legal path even when one spouse is uncooperative or disputes key issues. While annulment is an option, it is only available in limited circumstances where the marriage was legally invalid from the start. Divorce ensures that both parties have legal recourse to protect their interests, making it the most practical solution when spouses cannot reach a mutual agreement on ending their marriage.

Dissolution of marriage is a legal process available to couples who are able to work together to terminate their marriage. Unlike divorce, fault is not assigned to either party. Both parties must agree on decisions regarding the division of property, child custody and parenting plans, child support, and spousal support (if applicable). Dissolution is not available to couples who cannot reach an agreement on all relevant issues.

Why Choose a Dissolution - Dissolution is typically faster and far less expensive than a divorce, not to mention less stressful. Additionally, pursuing a dissolution allows the couple to maintain a greater degree of control over the terms of the separation, which is memorialized in the form of a separation agreement. In a divorce, a third-party (judge) will make the final determinations on issues in dispute. If you are considering a dissolution, contact Egelhoff Law Firm and let us help guide you through the process.

An annulment is a legal procedure that declares a marriage null and void, as if it never legally existed. In Ohio, annulments are granted only in specific circumstances, including bigamy, one spouse being underage without parental consent, fraud, coercion, lack of legal consent due to mental incapacity, or if the marriage was never consummated. Unlike divorce, which dissolves a valid marriage, an annulment treats the marriage as legally invalid from the start. The time limits for filing an annulment vary depending on the grounds, and the process may involve proving the claim in court. Since annulments have strict legal requirements, they are less common than divorce or dissolution as a method of terminating a marriage in Ohio.

A legal separation in Ohio allows spouses to live apart while remaining legally married, addressing many of the same issues as a divorce, such as child custody, parenting time, spousal support, and division of assets and debts. To obtain a legal separation, one spouse must file a Complaint for Legal Separation in the Domestic Relations Court, citing legally recognized grounds similar to those for divorce, such as incompatibility, adultery, or extreme cruelty. Unlike divorce, legal separation does not end the marriage, meaning neither spouse can remarry unless they later pursue a divorce or dissolution. Some couples choose legal separation for religious reasons, financial benefits, or a trial separation before making a final decision about divorce. If both parties later agree to end the marriage, the terms of the legal separation can often be converted into a divorce decree.

• Modification of Custody/Parenting Time
• Modification of Child Support
• Modification of Spousal Support
• Motion for Contempt
• Relocation of a Parent
• Property Division Enforcement
• Modification/Termination of Shared Parenting Plans
• Change of Legal Custody

Mediation is a powerful alternative in the legal realm, offering you the opportunity to resolve disputes amicably and cost-effectively in a legally binding manner. Parties involved in mediation have more direct control over the outcome, as they actively participate in the decision-making process, ensuring that their needs and interests are considered and limiting the stress and unpredictability that comes with litigation. At Egelhoff Law Firm, LLC, our mediation services are tailored to your unique needs, providing a neutral and collaborative environment where conflicts can be resolved with greater fairness and efficiency. We guide the process, ensuring that your voice is heard, and together we find balanced solutions that empower both parties, fostering long-term agreements that save time, money, and often, relationships. Choose mediation as the path to resolution, and let us lead the way towards a brighter, more harmonious legal outcome.

We offer a range of services, including contract drafting and review, negotiation assistance, due diligence, risk assessment, and legal advice tailored to the specific transaction. Additionally, we can help identify and mitigate potential legal risks, protect our clients' interests, and structure deals that align with their objectives. Whether it's a business merger, real estate purchase, or any other transaction, our involvement can provide confidence, legal clarity, and a higher likelihood of achieving favorable and legally sound outcomes. Our expertise helps clients navigate the complexities of transactions, saving time and resources, and ultimately reducing the potential for legal disputes down the road.