Strategic Probate Representation For Estate Administration, Will Contests, And Inheritance Disputes.
Heban, Murphree & Lewandowski, LLC helps families, fiduciaries, beneficiaries, heirs, trustees, and property owners navigate probate court, contested estates, estate planning, power of attorney concerns, and estate-related real estate issues.
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Ohio Probate and Estate Attorneys for Both Administration and Disputes
Some families need help administering an estate. Others are facing a disagreement over a will, inheritance, executor, trustee, or transfer of property. Choose a service below to learn how HML can help.
The HML Legal Team
Heban, Murphree & Lewandowski brings together attorneys with experience in probate, estate planning, litigation, real estate, and related legal matters.
Our team includes counsel licensed in Ohio and Michigan.
100+ Years Combined Experience
Experience involving probate, estate planning, litigation, real estate, and related legal matters.
Probate & Estate Litigation
Representation involving contested wills, inheritance disputes, fiduciary conflicts, trusts, and difficult estate administration issues.
Northwest Ohio Roots
Helping individuals and families throughout Toledo, Rossford, Perrysburg, Maumee, Sylvania, Oregon, Findlay, and surrounding communities.
Probate Problems Often Involve More Than Probate
An estate may involve deeds, real estate, a family business, beneficiary designations, or property transfers made before death. These issues sometimes require legal review beyond probate filings.
HML combines probate, estate planning, litigation, and property experience to help clients evaluate related issues, understand their options, and determine practical next steps.
What Happens When You Contact HML?
You do not need to know the exact legal terminology for your situation before contacting the firm.
Tell Us What Happened
Provide a short summary of the problem, the county involved, and any court date or deadline you know about.
If the matter involves an estate, it helps to know the deceased person’s name and whether a probate case has already been opened.
Our Team Reviews Your Inquiry
We review the information you provide to determine whether the matter falls within the services HML handles and what the appropriate next step may be.
Discuss Your Options
When a consultation is appropriate, you can discuss the circumstances of the matter, the issues that need evaluation, and the scope of potential legal representation.
Probate Representation in Toledo and Northwest Ohio
HML is located at 200 Dixie Highway in Rossford, Ohio, just across the river from downtown Toledo. We work with clients throughout Northwest Ohio, including Toledo, Findlay, Whitehouse, Waterville, Lyons, and surrounding communities.
Probate matters are generally handled in the probate court in the county where the estate is located. Because court procedures, local rules, property issues, and family circumstances can differ from one matter to another, local familiarity can help you decide how to proceed.
Who Typically Contacts Our Probate Attorneys?
People often reach out to HML when they are dealing with situations such as:
Executors & Administrators
You have been appointed to manage an estate and want to ensure the probate process is handled correctly.
Beneficiaries & Heirs
You have questions about your inheritance, estate administration, or decisions made by an executor or trustee.
Families Facing a Dispute
A document has been challenged, a last-minute estate-plan change appears suspicious, or family members disagree about what the deceased intended.
Power of Attorney Concerns
You believe someone may have misused authority to transfer money, real estate, or other assets.
Property Owners & Families
A probate matter involves a home, farmland, deed, title problem, lease, or other real estate issue.
Individuals Planning Ahead
You want to create or update an estate plan before a crisis occurs.
Handling Probate and Estate Disputes
Many people begin researching a probate matter long before they know whether they need an attorney.
HML publishes resources explaining Ohio probate, inheritance law, wills, trusts, fiduciary responsibilities, property issues, and common disputes.
Inheritance Disputes
Read more about disagreements involving beneficiaries, heirs, executors, trustees, and estate assets.
Lack of Testamentary Capacity →
A will may be disputed if someone believes the person signing it did not understand their property, family relationships, or the document’s effect.
Undue Influence or Forgery →
Undue influence may occur when someone pressures or manipulates the testator. Forgery concerns arise when a signature or document appears suspicious.
Fraud in Will Creation →
Fraud may involve deception about the contents, purpose, or effect of a will. These claims require careful review of documents, witnesses, and surrounding facts.
Check Out Our Legal Resources To Get Help Answering These Questions…
- Who is entitled to see a will after someone dies?
- How do you locate a will in Ohio?
- What happens when someone dies without a will?
- Can a child contest a parent’s will?
- What happens when siblings disagree about an inheritance?
- What can be done about suspected power-of-attorney abuse?
- When can a trustee be challenged?
- What happens when co-executors disagree?
- How is real estate handled during probate?
- What rights do beneficiaries have during an estate administration?
Real Estate, Farmland & Property Matters
Probate and estate planning frequently involve property. HML also assists clients with legal matters involving:
Residential Real Estate →
Deeds, purchase agreements, leases, property disputes, title issues, and other residential property matters.
Farmland →
Farm succession issues, agricultural leases, farmland ownership questions, and disputes involving agricultural property.
Agricultural Law →
Legal support for farmers, landowners, and agribusiness clients across Ohio.
TOD & Deed Planning →
Planning tools that may help transfer property more efficiently after death, when appropriate.
Experienced Legal Guidance Without Making the Process More Complicated
Probate and inheritance concerns can bring legal, financial, and family questions together. HML helps clients understand their responsibilities, available options, and fact-based next steps.
“Mr. Heban is courteous, friendly, and very helpful. We would recommend him to anyone.”
Pat Lindner
“Kevin and his staff were wonderful, walking us through the estate process after my mother passed away.”
Laura Moon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is probate?
Probate is the court-supervised process for administering property owned by someone who has died. Depending on the estate, the process may include validating a will, appointing an executor or administrator, identifying assets, addressing debts and creditor claims, and distributing property to the appropriate beneficiaries or heirs.
Does every Ohio estate have to go through probate?
No. Whether probate is necessary depends largely on what assets the deceased person owned and how those assets were titled.
Some property may pass outside probate through survivorship ownership, beneficiary designations, trusts, or transfer-on-death arrangements.
What should I do if I have been named executor?
Before distributing assets or making major decisions, determine whether the estate needs to be probated and understand the responsibilities that come with serving as executor.
Gather the will, death certificate, information about assets and debts, and any notices or important estate documents you already have.
Can I refuse to serve as executor?
Being named as executor in a will does not necessarily mean you must accept the role. Another qualified person may be appointed when the named executor cannot or does not wish to serve.
What if I believe a will is invalid?
Concerns about a will may involve capacity, undue influence, fraud, forgery, or whether the document was properly executed.
Will contests can involve strict procedures and deadlines, so it is important to have the particular documents and circumstances reviewed promptly.
What if the executor is not handling the estate properly?
Executors and other fiduciaries have legal responsibilities when handling estate property.
If you are concerned about missing assets, lack of information, improper distributions, unusual transactions, or other conduct, an attorney can review the circumstances and explain what options may be available.
What if someone used a power of attorney before my family member died?
Transactions made under a power of attorney may become an important issue after death, particularly when money or property was transferred shortly before the estate was opened.
The validity and significance of those transactions depend on the power-of-attorney document, the agent’s authority, the circumstances, and the available records.
What information should I have when I contact a probate lawyer?
Helpful information may include:
- The name of the deceased person
- The county where the person lived
- Whether a probate case has already been opened
- Any case number you have
- A copy of the will or trust if available
- The names of the executor or trustee
- A short description of the disagreement or concern
- Any upcoming hearing or deadline
You don’t need everything before contacting the firm.
What should I do when a loved one dies?
Start by securing important documents, arranging care for dependents or pets, locating the will or trust, identifying assets and debts, and speaking with a probate attorney before transferring or distributing property.
Where should you file a probate case?
A probate case is typically filed in the county where the deceased person lived at the time of death. Additional proceedings may be needed when real estate or other property is located in another state.