JWAYYED LAW
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Estate Planning, Probate & Dispute Resolution

Ohio legal services for estate planning, wills and trusts, probate administration, and alternative dispute resolution. Serving Columbus and throughout Ohio.

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Additional Legal Services at Jwayyed Law LLC

In addition to criminal defense, OVI/DUI defense, personal injury, civil litigation, and business law, Jwayyed Law LLC provides estate planning, probate administration, and dispute resolution services throughout Ohio. These practice areas address some of life's most important legal decisions — protecting your assets and family through thoughtful estate planning, navigating the Ohio probate process efficiently after a loved one passes, and resolving disputes through mediation or arbitration when litigation is not the right path. Our attorney handles these matters with the same attention to Ohio statute and practical detail that we bring to our litigation practice.

Estate planning in Ohio is governed primarily by ORC Chapter 2107 (wills), ORC Chapter 5801 (trusts), and ORC 1337 (powers of attorney). A comprehensive estate plan typically includes a Last Will and Testament, a durable financial power of attorney, a healthcare power of attorney, and an advance directive (living will). For individuals with larger estates, blended families, or real estate in multiple states, a revocable living trust under ORC Chapter 5801 can avoid probate entirely and provide a flexible, private mechanism for asset management and distribution. Ohio's Transfer on Death deed statute, ORC 5302.22, also allows real estate to pass directly to named beneficiaries without probate.

Probate administration in Ohio is handled through the Probate Division of the Court of Common Pleas under ORC Chapter 2113. The executor must inventory estate assets, publish notice to creditors, satisfy valid claims during the 4-month creditor claim period under ORC 2117.06, file required tax returns, and distribute the estate to beneficiaries. Executors have fiduciary duties and can face personal liability for mismanagement. Our attorney guides executors through each step of the process — from opening the estate to final accounting and distribution — helping them fulfill their obligations and minimize risk.

Dispute resolution services include mediation under ORC Chapter 2710 and arbitration under ORC Chapter 2711. Many commercial contracts now include mandatory arbitration clauses, making it important to have experienced representation in arbitration proceedings. Mediation offers a confidential, voluntary path to settlement that can resolve disputes faster and at lower cost than litigation. Whether a dispute arises from a contract, a business relationship, or an estate matter, our attorney can advise on the most appropriate resolution strategy and represent your interests throughout.

Other Services – Locations We Serve

We serve clients in the following Ohio counties. Each county has its own page; click through for court information and local details.

Franklin CountyColumbus & surrounding areasDelaware CountyDelaware & surrounding areasButler CountyHamilton, Oxford, West ChesterGreene CountyFairborn & surrounding areasMontgomery CountyDayton & surrounding areasPickaway CountyCircleville & surrounding areasAthens CountyAthens & surrounding areasMorrow CountyMount Gilead, Cardington & surrounding areasClinton CountyWilmington & surrounding areas

Our Other Legal Services

Estate Planning

Overview of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and guardianships.

Estate Planning & Wills

Core estate planning and will preparation services.

Powers of Attorney

Financial and health care powers of attorney.

Guardianships

Establishing guardianships for minors and adults.

Probate

Overview of probate administration and related disputes.

Probate Administration

Guidance through the Ohio probate process.

Will Contests

Challenging or defending the validity of a will.

Estate Disputes

Resolving conflicts among heirs and beneficiaries.

Dispute Resolution

Alternatives to litigation for resolving legal disputes.

Mediation

Neutral mediation services to help parties reach agreement.

Arbitration

Private arbitration to resolve disputes outside of court.

Trusts

Trust-based planning, including revocable and special needs trusts.

Frequently Asked Questions

At a minimum, Ohio adults should have: (1) a Last Will and Testament under ORC Chapter 2107 directing distribution of probate assets and naming an executor; (2) a durable financial power of attorney under ORC 1337.22 designating someone to manage finances if incapacitated; (3) a healthcare power of attorney or healthcare proxy under ORC 1337.12 designating a decision-maker for medical treatment; and (4) a living will (advance directive) under ORC 2133.02 stating end-of-life treatment preferences. Depending on assets and goals, a revocable living trust under ORC 5801 may also be appropriate to avoid probate and provide for seamless asset management.
Ohio probate is administered through the Probate Division of the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the decedent resided. Under ORC Chapter 2113, the executor files the will (if any) and petitions the court to open the estate. The estate must remain open long enough to notify creditors (notice must be published and a 4-month creditor claim period runs under ORC 2117.06), inventory assets, pay valid debts and taxes, and distribute remaining assets to beneficiaries. A straightforward Ohio estate typically takes 6–12 months; complex estates with disputes, real estate in multiple counties, or federal estate tax obligations can take longer. An attorney guides the executor through each step.
Yes. Several Ohio mechanisms allow assets to pass outside of probate: (1) joint tenancy with right of survivorship (real estate and financial accounts); (2) beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, life insurance, and financial accounts (TOD/POD designations); (3) a Transfer on Death (TOD) deed for real estate under ORC 5302.22; (4) a revocable living trust under ORC Chapter 5801, which holds assets during life and distributes them at death without court involvement. A properly funded living trust is the most comprehensive probate avoidance tool for larger or more complex estates. Our attorney can advise on the best strategy for your specific asset mix and family situation.
A Last Will and Testament under ORC Chapter 2107 is a document that takes effect at death and must pass through Ohio probate court before assets are distributed — it is a public record. A revocable living trust under ORC Chapter 5801 is a legal entity you create and fund during your lifetime that holds title to your assets; at death, the successor trustee distributes assets to beneficiaries without court involvement, maintaining privacy and avoiding probate delay. Wills are generally simpler and less expensive to create; trusts require funding (retitling assets) to be effective but provide greater flexibility, privacy, and control — particularly for larger estates, blended families, or individuals with property in multiple states.
An Ohio executor (personal representative) has fiduciary duties under ORC Chapter 2113 including: inventorying and appraising estate assets, notifying and paying valid creditors, filing estate and income tax returns, managing estate assets prudently during administration, and distributing assets to beneficiaries per the will or Ohio intestacy law. Executors can be held personally liable for breach of these fiduciary duties — for example, distributing assets before creditors are paid, or mismanaging estate investments. An attorney can guide the executor through the probate process, helping them fulfill their obligations and minimize personal liability exposure.
Mediation and arbitration are both forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Ohio but work differently. Mediation under ORC Chapter 2710 is a voluntary, confidential process where a neutral mediator helps the parties reach a mutually acceptable settlement — the mediator has no authority to impose a decision. Arbitration under ORC Chapter 2711 is a more formal process where a neutral arbitrator (or panel) hears evidence and issues a binding or non-binding award. Mediation is typically faster and less expensive; arbitration resembles a streamlined trial. Many commercial contracts include mandatory arbitration clauses. Our attorney can advise on which ADR process is appropriate for your dispute and represent you throughout.
Ohio does not recognize handwritten (holographic) wills that lack proper witness signatures. Under ORC 2107.03, a valid Ohio will must be in writing, signed by the testator (or by another at the testator's direction), and attested and signed by two competent witnesses in the testator's conscious presence. An unwitnessed handwritten will is not valid in Ohio. If someone dies with an invalid or no will, Ohio's intestacy statute (ORC 2105.06) governs distribution — which may not reflect the decedent's actual wishes. This makes proper will drafting with an attorney critical to ensuring your intentions are carried out.
Beyond criminal defense, OVI/DUI defense, and personal injury, Jwayyed Law LLC provides: estate planning (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills under ORC Chapters 2107, 5801, 1337); probate administration (ORC Chapter 2113); dispute resolution including mediation (ORC Chapter 2710) and arbitration (ORC Chapter 2711); civil litigation including landlord-tenant disputes, debt collection defense, employment disputes, and defamation claims; and business law including LLC formation (ORC Chapter 1706), business dissolution, contract drafting, and business dispute resolution. We serve clients throughout Ohio from our Columbus base.

Ready to Discuss Your Case?

Contact Jwayyed Law LLC today to schedule a consultation. We're here to help you understand your legal rights and options.

(614) 285-5482jwayyedlawllc@outlook.com
100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, Ohio 43235

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