Last Will & Testament Practical Counsel. Personal Attention.

Last Will & Testament in Cleveland

Wills Drafted by an Ohio Estate & Probate Attorney Since 1994

A will is one of the most important legal documents you’ll ever sign, and getting it right matters. At Law Offices of Daniel McGowan, LLC, we draft last wills and testaments for individuals and families throughout Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Lake, and Lorain Counties. Attorney Daniel McGowan has practiced estate and probate law since 1994, and clients work directly with him from the first conversation through document execution.

That direct access matters. You won’t be handed off to an associate or left waiting for a callback. Attorney McGowan keeps his practice lean, which lets him offer hourly rates below what larger firms charge for the same quality of legal work.

Ready to put a will in place? Call us at (216) 616-7592 or use our online contact form to schedule a consultation.

What a Last Will & Testament Covers

A last will and testament directs how your property and assets are distributed after your death. It gives you control over decisions that, without a will, get made by Ohio law or a court.

Beneficiaries: You name who receives your assets and in what shares.
Executor: You appoint a personal representative to manage and settle the estate through the probate process.
Guardian for minor children: A will is the proper legal vehicle for designating who raises your children if you can’t.
Asset distribution: Property covered by the will passes through Cuyahoga County Probate Court or the applicable Ohio probate court. Assets held in trust or with named beneficiaries, such as retirement accounts and life insurance, pass outside the will.

A will can be updated after major life changes through a properly executed codicil or a new document. Informal changes, such as crossing out a name or adding a handwritten note, can invalidate the will under Ohio law.

Ohio’s Legal Requirements for a Valid Will

Ohio Revised Code section 2107.03 sets clear execution standards. A valid will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by at least two people present when the testator signs or acknowledges the signature. Witnesses must be at least 18 years old. Ohio doesn’t require notarization, but witness execution is mandatory.

Generic online templates often don’t account for Ohio’s specific requirements. A document that fails those standards can be rejected by the probate court, which means the estate passes under Ohio’s intestate succession rules rather than the decedent’s wishes. Working with an attorney can reduce that risk.

Why Cleveland Families Work With Attorney McGowan

Attorney McGowan’s credentials in estate and probate law go beyond years in practice. He holds an AV Distinguished rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a peer-review rating for ethics and legal ability. He is an active member of the Estate Planning and Trust sections of both the Ohio State Bar Association and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and serves as Executive Committee Member of the Estate Planning Institute of the Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, where he is also the outline chair for the annual Estate Planning Institute.

That depth of involvement in Ohio estate law means his will drafting reflects current standards and court expectations. He is licensed in Ohio, Florida, and Pennsylvania, with Ohio estate and probate practice as the core of his work. Clients reach him directly: one reviewed client noted he returned a call within 10 minutes.

Start Your Will Today

If you’re ready to put a last will and testament in place, a consultation with Attorney McGowan can give you a clear picture of what your will needs to accomplish and what the process looks like from start to finish.

Call Law Offices of Daniel McGowan, LLC at (216) 616-7592 or reach us through our online contact form to get started.

What Happens If You Die Without a Will in Ohio

When an Ohio resident dies without a valid will, the estate is considered intestate. Ohio Revised Code section 2105.06 then controls how assets are distributed, following a fixed legal order: surviving spouse first, then children, then parents, then siblings, and so on to more distant relatives. If no qualifying relatives exist, the estate escheats to the state of Ohio.

Dying intestate has consequences beyond asset distribution. The probate court determines who serves as executor and, when minor children are involved, who serves as their guardian. Specific gifts to friends, charities, or anyone outside the statutory order can’t be honored. The process can also take longer because the court must establish heirs before assets can move.

A properly drafted will can address those questions in advance, on your terms.

The Will Drafting Process

Drafting a will begins with an initial consultation. Attorney McGowan gathers information about your assets, your family situation, and what you want your estate to accomplish. From there, he prepares a draft that reflects your instructions, which you review before anything is signed.

Once the document reflects your intentions, execution takes place in the presence of two qualifying witnesses. Attorney McGowan coordinates that step to help ensure everything meets Ohio’s legal requirements.

After execution, store your will somewhere safe and make sure your executor or a trusted person knows where to find it. Ohio law allows wills to be deposited with the probate court for safekeeping under Ohio Revised Code section 2107.07. Plan to revisit your will after major life events, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a significant change in assets, to confirm it still reflects your wishes.

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"Amazing lawyer."
He get a 10 star from me. Looking forward to do more business with him.

Missy O.
"Very Professional"
Dan, himself, returned our phone call within 10 minutes and was able to answer all of our questions.

Brenda B.
"Very Responsive"
Daniel McGowan is exactly the attorney you need when a loved one dies without a will (intestate).

Cathe C.
"Highly Recommend"
His legal expertise is superb providing thorough evaluation and explanation regarding relevant matters.

EG
"Daniel McGowan was awesome."
. He cleared the case in months, after 2 plus years of dragging. I now have a case in PA and I wish I could call on Daniel again.

SMT
"Extremely knowledgeable."
He is honest, fair and extremely knowledgeable.

Jackie W.
"Dan just has a terrific understanding of the law."
He answered all my questions, using his great experience and a pleasant understanding demeanor.

August A.
"Dan is very professional and thorough."
Very adept at assisting clients to define their objectives.

John W.

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