Take the Guesswork Out of Your Funeral—Pick Your Person, State Your Wishes

Did you know your will isn’t enough for funeral instructions in Ohio? Get crucial insights with attorney Larae Schraeder from Schraeder Law.

Ever wondered who’s legally responsible for your final arrangements when you pass away? Estate attorney Larae Schraeder joins Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson to decode Ohio’s Disposition of Remains law. It's a critical and often misunderstood part of estate planning that goes beyond wills and trusts.

If you’ve ever faced confusing funeral decisions for a loved one, you know how complex it can be. This episode reveals how Ohio empowers individuals to choose their own representative for those important end-of-life decisions. And why relying on just a will or family default isn’t enough.

Larae details the law’s background, how to create a declaration, who has the right to decide in different scenarios, and how these choices can spare your loved ones stress and uncertainty.

Key Takeaways:

Why Ohio’s Disposition of Remains law matters: Learn the difference between a will and a disposition declaration, and why both are necessary.Who can make your final decisions: Discover the legal pecking order for funeral decisions, and how you can choose your own representative instead.How to document your wishes: Find out when to create a declaration, what’s included, and how to update it as your life changes.Avoiding family disputes: See how clear planning protects loved ones and prevents conflicts among relatives, stepparents, or distant kin.What happens without a declaration: Understand the role of next of kin, probate court, and what your executor can, and cannot, do.

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5 Frequently Asked Questions about Ohio's Disposition of Remains Law

What is Ohio’s Disposition of Remains law? Ohio’s Disposition of Remains law, passed in 2006, lets you legally appoint someone to make decisions about your funeral and final arrangements, separate from your will or financial plans 02:50.Who can make decisions if I don’t complete a declaration? If you don’t have a declaration, Ohio law defaults to your next of kin in a specific order: spouse, children, parents, siblings, and so on 04:09, 16:08.Should funeral instructions be in my will? No. Wills are often not immediately accessible after death and may not be effective for funeral decisions. A disposition declaration should be readily available 13:02-14:21.What happens