Butler County residents of all ages should talk with an elder law and estate planning attorney so they can make certain they have planned ahead for retirement, but also for an untimely death or serious injury. Many families are thrown into turmoil if something goes wrong because they have no plans for nursing home care, management of assets in case of incapacity, care of minor children after death, or transfer of assets when someone passes away. Something could happen to you or your loved ones at any time, so you cannot put off making your plans and securing legal protections under Ohio law.
Zimmer Law Firm can help you to be prepared so your assets are safe, so you have autonomy over medical choices, and so your loved ones are provided for after a death. Our legal team can provide estate planning assistance and elder law services to clients throughout Butler County, so give us a call today to find out how we can put our knowledge and experience to work for you.
Life in Butler County
Butler County is a county located within the Cincinnati metropolitan area within the state of Ohio. The county was first founded on May 1 of 1803. As of the most recent census in 2010, the population of Butler County, OH was 368,130.
Butler County was named for General Richard Butler, who was killed during St. Clair’s defeat in 1791. The county seat of Butler County is Hamilton, and the county is home to an Ohio public university called Miami University. Hamilton is also the largest city within Butler County.
Butler County spans 470 square miles, including 3.1 square miles of water. Butler County was carved by glaciation, and the county is set within the river valleys of the Little Miami River and Great Miami River. Butler County is adjacent to Warren County; Preble County; Montgomery County; and Hamilton County in Ohio. It is also adjacent to three counties in Indiana: Dearborn County, Franklin County, and Union County
Butler County was once heavily forested by beech trees and maple trees, but settlement of the county that has been occurring since 1793 has caused much of Butler County to be de-forested. However, 3,596 acres of Butler County are set aside as a part of Hueston Woods State Park. This state park also extends into Preble County, Ohio. Hueston Woods spans 200 acres and is one of the last locations in Ohio where there is near-virgin growth of maple trees and American beech trees. There is also a 625 acre man-made lake located within the park.
Seniors in Butler County
In Butler County, seniors can take advantage of the Elderly Services Program, which is aimed at “helping older adults maintain their independence in Butler County.” The Elderly Services Program is administered through a joint effort of the Butler County Commissioners, and a volunteer community board called Butler County Citizens for Elderly Services, Inc.
Services that can be provided through the Elderly Services Program include adult day services; care management in which a licensed social worker coordinates services; consumer directed healthcare, which facilitates the hiring of family or friends to provide home care; electronic monitoring; environmental services like pest control or housekeeping; home care help provided by trained aides; home repairs or modifications for accessibility; meals and nutrition services; assistance with independent living; mental health services; durable medical equipment; and transportation to medical and other appointments.
Eligibility for senior services is determined after a visit by a care manager who comes to the home of a Butler County senior.
Estate and Elder Law Services in Butler County
Seniors should also take advantage of the elder law and estate planning services provided by an attorney at Zimmer Law Firm. Young people and people of all ages can also benefit from the assistance we provide.
Our legal team can help you make an incapacity plan in case you become sick or hurt, and a legacy plan to provide for your loved ones after you pass away. We also help you to address end of life issues.
Our elder law and estate planning attorneys can do many different things to protect you and your family, including helping to make sure your family does not need to pursue guardianship proceedings in case of incapacity. We also advise you on facilitating the transfer of assets outside of the probate process.
By planning ahead to avoid guardianship, you can make certain a trusted person can immediately take over asset management and decision making in the event of incapacity. By facilitating asset transfer outside probate, you can avoid court costs and fees and allow a more timely inheritance of important estate assets.
These are just some of the many services our legal team can provide. We help with retirement and financial planning; IRA investments; qualifying for Medicaid; making a nursing home plan; creating wills and trusts, and more.
Courts in Butler County
Although an elder law and estate planning attorney often work hard to help clients avoid probate court, there are times when proceedings must take place before a judge. Examples include guardianship for someone with no incapacity plan, or the probate process after a death when assets must be transferred through probate.
If the incapacitated or deceased person resides in Butler County, Ohio, the probate court that will preside over guardianship proceedings or estate administration is the Butler County Probate Court. This court is located at 101 High Street in Hamilton Ohio, 45011. The court may be reached via telephone at 513-887-3294.
Getting Help from a Butler County Estate Planning Lawyer
Zimmer Law Firm has a long track record of providing service to clients in Butler County and its surrounding areas. To find out more about how our legal team can assist you and your family with planning for a secure future in the Butler County Ohio area or in surrounding locations, give us a call at 513.721.1513.