Estate Planning Attorney, Columbus, OH
Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney—Let's Sort Through It All, Together
Secure Your Legacy With Estate Planning
Everyone needs an estate plan, regardless of the size of your assets or your marital status. We specialize in helping small business owners craft estate plans to avoid excess taxes and ensure your wishes are carried out. Let's create a legal estate plan so you feel confident about the future of your personal and business assets. Wick Law can help you create a legal estate plan so you can feel confident about the future of your personal and business assets.
Hi! I'm Melissa, Your Purpose-Aligned Estate Planning Attorney
Estate planning isn't just about documents—it's about protecting your people, your purpose, and your peace of mind. With 15+ years of legal experience and a background in coaching, I help individuals and families make empowered decisions about their legacy. Whether you're planning for your family, your business, or both, I'll help you create a plan that reflects your values and makes things easier for the people you love.
"Melissa has been tremendously helpful."
"She is sharp, highly skilled, and will tailor everything to fit what you need. Beyond that, she approaches her clients holistically and takes time to ensure she really understands you and your business. Most lawyers treat their clients like they're another cog in the machine, but Melissa truly makes you feel like you're a VIP client. I will return to her over and over."
Amanda Kern, Business Owner & Client
What is estate planning?
Estate planning isn't just about what happens when you die. I's about protecting what matters while you're still here. That way, you can make decisions on your terms instead of leaving chaos behind for the people you love. I'll help you create a plan that reflects your values, your wishes, and your life. That means deciding: Who gets what (and how they get it); Who steps in if you can't make decisions yourself; Who raises your kids if something happens; What happens to your business or property. Your plan might include a trust, a will, powers of attorney, or other tools—we'll figure that out together, based on your actual life (not just some legal checklist).
Estate Planning Services
Estate planning involves creating a plan for the future of your loved ones and, if you own a business, the future of the business.
Wills
Every person should have a will, but it is especially important if you have a minor child. This document will make clear who is in charge of orchestrating the transfer of assets and who will have custody of your minor child if you die. A will also dictates what will happen to your personal assets after you pass.
Trusts
Sometimes it can be advantageous to have a trust prepared, so that your assets and wealth do not immediately pass to a beneficiary upon your death. Instead, your trust will appoint a third party, or trustee, to hold on to the assets for a period of time. The trust will state which items are part of the trust, when the trustee needs to pass them to the beneficiary, and who the beneficiary will be. A trust gives you more control over how and when your assets will be distributed to your family and loved ones. A trust also protects your assets from creditors and sometimes can be used to minimize taxes.
Powers of Attorney
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that states a person may make decisions on your behalf. A power of attorney is helpful with you need care and are incapable pf making decisions due to declining health. General powers of attorney give a designated person the ability to make decisions on your behalf regarding any matter, such as finances, managing bank accounts and property.
Estate Planning Attorney:
Frequently Asked Questions
What's considered your estate?
Your estate includes your home and any other real estate you own, as well as personal belongings like furniture, electronics, vehicles, and equipment. It also includes your savings and checking accounts, as well as other investments. If you're a solopreneur, your business is likely part of your estate.
What are the 7 steps in the estate planning process?
Take inventory of assets
Define your goals and wishes
Choose key decision-makers (executor, guardians, POA)
Draft your will and/or trust
Create powers of attorney
Review tax and asset protection strategies
Update and review your plan regularly
What is the difference between will and estate planning?
A will is one part of an estate plan—it outlines how your assets are distributed after death. Estate planning is broader and includes wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other tools to manage your affairs during life and after death.
Protect What You've Built So You Can Pass It Down To Loved Ones
It's time to protect what matters most—with a plan that honors your life, your loved ones, and your vision.