Ohio Probate Litigation Attorneys

At Kolb & Zigray, we have been handling probate disputes since 1984. Our primary area of practice is probate litigation. We have been involved with hundreds of cases—both locally and around the state of Ohio. We handle mostly plaintiff's cases and a minority share of defendant's cases. We have settled, tried, and appealed cases. We do not practice estate planning or administration.

Our practice areas include:

• Probate litigation - including any of the following types of disputes:
• Will contests - last minute changes to a will, leaving money to a lawyer, unlawful will procedures, signing issues, change to long standing attorney, executor, or administrator
• Trust contests - last minute changes to trusts or deeds, leaving money to a trust officer
• Trust and will constructions
• Pre-death gift and transfer cases - inter vivos transfers (transferring during lifetime), last minute change to bank account or insurance beneficiary, unequal transfer before death
• Inheritance disputes - one child left everything to exclusion of others

The main issues in most probate litigation cases are undue influence and incompetency. Our Toledo probate lawsuit attorneys have practical experience handling such cases and handling other less common issues, including fraud or duress. All issues have arisen at one point or another over our five decades of service.

Why We Can Help

We have developed a good system of obtaining comprehensive information from our clients through the course of fifty years of combined probate litigation practice. There are similar fact patterns in probate litigation cases that have merit. Having worked in probate litigation for so long, we are familiar with these patterns. Typically, we are able quickly to review the basic facts to tell you if you may have a valid preliminary case.

The discovery stage is where we determine whether you have a solid case. We gather information through depositions, interrogatories (written questioning), and requests for documents. We have taken numerous depositions of opposing parties, attorneys, doctors, and other opinion and expert witnesses.

Our process is comprehensive and aggressive. It provides us with the facts and evidence we need for a strong prosecution or defense of an Ohio probate dispute case.

These cases are often traumatic to the client, especially when a child is excluded from a parent's will or trust. Emotions run high for the parties on both sides of the dispute. We make every attempt to calm the passions rather than fan the flames. Settlement, if the ultimate goal, can be more effectively accomplished by reducing rather than heightening emotions.

We are willing to take cases on a contingency fee basis. Our skill and experience allows us to evaluate worthwhile cases, which gives us the confidence to take on cases without charging our clients attorneys’ fees unless we obtain settlement or judgment in their favor. Most other probate litigation attorneys take cases on an hourly fee basis because. We can accurately determine the merits and risks of your case.

Contact Kolb & Zigray to speak with an experienced and dedicated Toledo probate lawsuit attorney.