Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in Ohio

What happens to assets/funds when an elderly person does not have a will but has many assets (house, investments, savings, etc); when this person has no close living relatives, only second cousins, who are also elderly; when this person has been cared for by a neighbor for several years? What advice is there regarding this situation and having the elderly person (who is currently refusing to) express her wishes for her assets?


Asked on 12/28/09, 5:36 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Elizabeth Schmitz Elizabeth S. Schmitz Attorney at Law

If she dies without a will then her assets would pass to her next of kin (her second cousins).

Although it is always best to have a will, there is no reqirement that someone does so.

If you are the neighbor, you should also be very careful about any actions that you take to get her to express her wishes since they could be considered as exercising influence over her and could subject you to questions after she passes away.

I would suggest that you contact a local attorney that may be able to discuss the situation with her.

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Answered on 1/02/10, 11:53 am


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