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Hire An Experienced, Compassionate Ohio Estate Planning Attorney
Helping Clevelanders Plan For The Future — And For Peace Of Mind
Estate planning can be a demanding journey. Don’t go alone.
Hi, I’m Kori Whisenant. I’m an estate planning attorney with a psychology degree. I’m a young Black woman, a wife, and a mom to two boys.
Yes, that makes me unique in the estate planning world. That uniqueness is what shapes my holistic, compassionate, and thoughtful approach to caring for yourself and your family.
Estate Planning vs. Legacy Planning: What You Need To Know
First, let’s clarify what we mean when we say estate planning and when we say legacy planning.
Estate planning is an important part of your legacy — but it’s just one small piece of the big picture. With your estate, you’re deciding where to transfer all of your financial assets. Legacy planning goes further than that, giving you a direct hand in how your values reverberate in this world for years to come.
Here’s what estate planning and legacy planning may entail in these main areas:
Estate Planning Includes
Documentation
- Last will and testament
- Financial power of attorney
- Healthcare power of attorney
Financial
Determining who receives your money and proceeds from sales of your assets, such as property sales
Business succession
- Naming successors
- Tax planning
Childcare
A plan for guardianship if you have children
Legacy Planning May Also Include
Documentation
More personal mementos, such as stories about your life and sharing future hopes for loved ones
Financial
- Establishing foundations
- Planning gifts to charities or other philanthropic organizations
Business succession
Directives on how you want your business to be run, such as ethics and mission
Childcare
Creating educational trusts or scholarships for future generations
Kori Whisenant Is Among The Best Estate Planning Attorneys In Ohio
The Estate Planning Process in Ohio
The estate planning process in Ohio includes these steps:
- Listing all your assets, such as real estate, personal property like cars, and bank accounts
- Deciding who receives which property
- Selecting the person responsible for distributing the property, called an executor
- Recording your wishes in a last will and testament
- Executing all documents properly according to state, county, and local law
- Reviewing your plan every few years or after a major life event, such as marriage, divorce, or having a child
The Key Documents You Need For Proper Estate Planning
Last Will and Testament
Put all of the most important wishes in writing. Your will confirms who will receive your financial and other assets after passing, caregivers for your children, and any other final wishes you want to solidify, such as funeral arrangements.
Financial Power of Attorney
When you’re no longer able to make the big decisions, a financial power of attorney verifies who will be in charge. This document legally puts all financial responsibilities into the hands of a trusted loved one.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
How you want your medical care handled is one of the most personal choices you’ll make. Decide who will be in charge of honoring your wishes by designating a healthcare power of attorney.
Beneficiary Designations
Who will receive your house? Your car? Your investment portfolio? I guide you through the process of designating primary and secondary beneficiaries for all your assets.
A Plan with Your Loved Ones
Make sure everything is in order so that your friends and family don’t have to do any extra work when it’s time to administer your estate plan. I’ll help you with suggestions, starting with how I shared this important information with my own family.
Meet Kori Whisenant
Estate planning is not easy. I started my practice to guide clients through an estate planning experience that embraced their needs, without rushing them out the door. As an attorney with a background in psychology, I look at the whole person, so we can collaborate on a plan that makes sense for you and your family.
I love that my work gives me space to demystify this stressful process — and I can’t wait to support you when you’re ready to take the first step to creating a legacy you’re proud of.
FAQs About Estate Planning in Ohio
What is an estate after death?
What happens to my assets if I don’t have a plan for my estate in Ohio?
What is the average cost of estate planning in Ohio?
What does estate mean in a will?
How much money can you inherit without paying taxes on it in Ohio?
Why can’t I just do my estate planning online?
Handling your estate planning on your own, through the assistance of online platforms, often results in a more stressful experience than working with an experienced attorney. An app or digital platform can’t listen to your unique needs or circumstances.
When you work with an estate planning attorney like me, you not only get the expertise of a professional who knows all of the legal requirements and logistical intricacies of estate planning. You also get the support of a compassionate individual who will use their experience to create an estate plan that truly reflects your needs and values.