Fall 2026 | Issue 57........................................................... ..Click to View Online

Year-End Checklist for Getting Your Legal Affairs in Order

With two months remaining in the year, now is a smart time to revisit your estate plan and make sure it still reflects your current wishes, family circumstances, and financial goals. Even small life changes throughout the year can prompt a review and update of important planning documents. 

As part of a year-end estate plan review, estate planning attorneys recommend a few key tasks to make sure your estate plan is ready for the new year, including: 

1. Review your will and trust documents. Make sure your current documents still reflect your wishes and account for any recent life events, financial changes, or shifts in family dynamics. 
2. Confirm beneficiary designations. Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and certain financial accounts pass directly to named beneficiaries. Given this, it’s important to verify that those designations are still accurate and up to date. 
3. Check health care documents. Review your financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney, and living will to ensure the individuals you selected are still the right fit if you need someone to make decisions about your care and health. 
4. Evaluate trust funding and asset ownership. If you have a trust in place, confirm that assets intended to be included have been properly titled or transferred. Newly acquired property, investment accounts, or other major assets may also need to be reviewed. 
5. Consider recent family or financial changes. Marriage, divorce, births, inheritances, business changes, or the loss of a loved one are all common reasons to revisit your estate plan and update it as needed. 
6. Reassess insurance coverage and long-term planning needs. Review your life insurance coverage, homeowner's policies, and long-term care insurance to ensure they continue to support your broader estate planning goals. 
7. Talk with loved ones about your wishes. Having conversations with family members now can help reduce confusion and avoid unnecessary conflict later. Clear communication is an important part of a well-prepared estate plan. Do the right people know where your estate planning documents are located?

Taking a little time now to review these items can provide peace of mind heading into the new year and help ensure your plan continues to protect the people and priorities that matter most to you. 

Exciting Changes to Come!

Roberson Law proudly announces that attorney Megan Bosley has been named a partner of the firm, a well-deserved recognition of her accomplishments, dedication, and contributions.

Since joining Roberson Law, Megan has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to expanding her legal knowledge, serving our clients, and helping shape the future of our firm. Megan came to Roberson Law with an impressive academic background and a strong foundation in estate planning and probate law. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law, where she distinguished herself as a member of the Moot Court Team and served as an Associate Justice of Intramural Competition. She received a prestigious CALI Award for earning the highest grade in her Bar Exam Preparation: Procedure & Practice course. Most notably, Megan earned the highest possible score on the estate planning portion of the Ohio Bar Examination, an impressive accomplishment that reflected her aptitude for this specialized area of law.

While attending law school, Megan was also a founding member and vice president of the Probate and Estate Planning Law Society, an organization dedicated to connecting aspiring attorneys with experienced practitioners in the field. Before law school, she graduated summa cum laude from West Liberty University in her home state of West Virginia.

Over the past three years, Megan has worked diligently to become proficient in all facets of Roberson Law's practice areas. Today, she leads our Guardianship Department, helping families navigate the legal responsibilities and often emotional challenges associated with caring for loved ones who are unable to manage their own affairs. She also assists individuals and families at every stage of life with comprehensive estate planning by helping them carry out their end-of life wishes, provide for their loved ones, and prepare for the future.

In addition, Megan manages a substantial caseload of decedents' estates, representing clients through the probate and estate administration process in courts throughout Ohio. Her growing experience across these practice areas has made her an invaluable member of our legal team and a trusted resource for our clients.

Megan's contributions extend well beyond the practice of law. She has also demonstrated a keen interest in improving the systems and processes that shape our clients' experience with Roberson Law. Recognizing that traditional business hours can make it difficult for working individuals and busy families to schedule legal appointments, Megan revived a standing initiative to offer evening appointments. Because of that initiative, Roberson Law will now offer evening appointments in 2027! And Megan's vision for improving the client experience doesn't stop there. Another priority on her agenda is simplifying our estate planning intake process, making it more user-friendly, less time-consuming, and less overwhelming for clients taking the important step of putting their affairs in order.

These initiatives demonstrate Megan's understanding that exceptional legal representation involves not only sound legal advice but also a thoughtful, efficient, and compassionate client experience.

For more than four decades, Roberson Law has built its reputation on knowledgeable legal counsel, personal service, and lasting relationships with the families we serve. As we look toward the future, we recognize the importance of developing the next generation of leadership while preserving the values that have defined our firm.

Megan's promotion to partner is one of the exciting new changes that represent a new chapter for Roberson Law. Her enthusiasm, initiative, and commitment to professional excellence will undoubtedly play an important role in the firm's continued growth and success. The future is bright at Roberson Law, and Megan Bosley is an important part of that future.

Please join us in congratulating Megan on this well-earned achievement. We are proud to welcome her into this new leadership role and look forward to the many contributions she will make in the years ahead. Congratulations, Megan!

Now Booking for 2027: Have a Roberson Law Attorney Speak at Your Next Event

All our attorneys have been busy this year donating their time as speakers for special events where groups desire to educate their members, congregations, or students about the need to prepare for the unexpected.

We are committed to helping the community become prepared to get their legal affairs in order. As part of our mission, our attorneys have spoken to various terminal illness support groups, religious organizations, senior citizen groups, financial planning firms, and community-focused organizations. Just this past month, Kristina Rainer spoke for the University of Dayton Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Megan Bosley spoke for the ALS Association Support Group, and Nancy Roberson spoke for Channel 2 News on a segment titled, "Expecting the Unexpected" in partnership with the Dayton Foundation. We do not charge a fee for our speaking event presentations.

Some of our speaking topics and the outlines to some of our presentations are provided on our website. For more information, click here. If you don’t see the topics in which you are interested, we will work with you to address the topic you desire, as long as they are in the areas of law in which we practice.

Fair Inheritances for Financially Risky Kids

Parents want to leave a lasting legacy for their children, but what happens when one child is financially responsible and another struggles with managing money? Dividing an estate equally may seem like the fairest approach, but it doesn't always provide the same level of protection for each beneficiary. Fortunately, thoughtful estate planning can help parents provide equally for their children while safeguarding an inheritance from poor financial decisions. This recent Moneywise article explores how trusts and other estate planning strategies can help preserve family wealth and provide peace of mind for parents concerned about their children's financial futures.

Source: Bieber, Christy. “How to Leave an Equal Inheritance to a Financially Irresponsible Child Without Letting Them Waste It, According to Estate Planning Attorneys.” Moneywise, October 14, 2026. Read the article here.

Don't wait: Medicare enrollment opened October 15th and the window will close soon!

Read and heed. This only happens one time of the year in Ohio. The deadlines to change your health coverage plan or enroll are looming, so get all the important dates to calendar here.

I'm in a Boatload of Debt, so why would I do Estate Planning?

Most people assume the phrase "estate planning" involves having wealth. That assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. Estate planning simply means that you are preparing for the unexpected and inevitable. Death does not discriminate according to income level, age, or social status. Face the reality, death is certain for everyone.

If you don’t care about the following, then we highly encourage you to NOT do estate planning:

• Being able to make the choice about where your “stuff“ goes after your death. Do you own a car? Do you have a wedding ring? If the answer is yes to either of these questions, then you have an estate.

• Deciding for yourself who you want to make your financial and health care decisions if you aren’t physically, mentally, or emotionally able to do so. Do you have the ability to telepath your wishes to a physician or banker if you are unconscious, mentally ill, or have severe dementia? Do you think your spouse or children are automatically allowed to make those decisions? Think again.

• Choosing who you want to care for your minor children, disabled adult child, or pets after you die. Do you really want a stranger appointed by the probate court to make these decisions for you?

• Designating where you want your money to go if you need full-time healthcare from a family member, facility, or healthcare agency. If you are okay with your life savings going to a nursing home and the government obtaining the proceeds of the sale of your home after you die, then by all means, do not do any estate planning!

• Deciding which family members, charities, and loved ones get the money in your bank account after you die.

• Making the decision yourself about who will be your legal representative and decision-maker for your estate after you die.

• Having peace of mind knowing that you have your affairs in order in the event of an unforeseen death or disability.

A main reason for not doing proper estate planning is because many people think that they are allergic to lawyers, so they actually attempt “Do It Yourself” (DIY) estate planning without knowing the law in order to save money and avoid having to call a lawyer. You wouldn’t perform your own heart surgery, so why would you perform a task that requires many years of college and continuing education in order to effectively do the task? Yes, estate planning is an investment similar to buying insurance. But like the cost of not having insurance, the cost of not doing estate planning, or doing DIY planning, usually far outweighs the initial investment of getting your affairs in order. The costly messes our firm has cleaned up because of improper planning, or not planning at all, far outweigh the cost of having your estate planning documents prepared by a lawyer who is experienced in estate planning.

*Source: Illustrative cost comparison shown below was prepared for educational purposes. Figures are hypothetical and demonstrate potential differences between the upfront cost of professionally prepared estate planning documents and the expenses that may arise from inadequate estate planning, including probate, court proceedings, and legal fees. Actual costs vary based on individual circumstances, estate complexity, and applicable state law.

Choosing the Right Lawyer After Your Loved One Dies

By Attorney Nancy Roberson

The death of a loved one presents many daunting challenges, including negotiating a potential minefield of legal decisions and activities. In these frightening economic times, you will be tempted to avoid lawyers and either handle the legal matters yourself or ignore them completely. Please don’t, because you don’t know what you don’t know. Have a least one consultation with a lawyer to find out what, if anything, needs to be done about your loved one’s estate. The time and money will be well spent. You may be relieved to learn that very little needs to be done; on the other hand, you may be dismayed to learn that things are a mess and will take time and money to clean up.

I was only twenty-seven years old and clueless about the legal profession when my first husband, David Phillips, died. (I began law school eleven months after David died.) I had only two previous experiences with lawyers, the last one of which was with the lawyer who had written David’s will the previous year. Thus, I had at least a name to call to get me started with settling David’s estate. If you are not as fortunate, I offer the following steps in identifying a lawyer who is competent to handle the estate of your loved one.



1. Contact the local bar association where you live. The Dayton (Ohio) Bar Association to which I belong maintains lists of lawyers who handle various kinds of cases, including estates.
2. Ask trusted advisors, such as your insurance agent, financial advisor, or accountant. Most financial services professionals network with other professionals in order to provide value-added services and generate referrals.
3. Engage a lawyer who is recognized as a specialist in estate law. You do not want “a Jack of all trades and a master of none.” In Ohio where I practice, the Ohio State Bar Association certifies lawyers as specialists in various areas, including the areas of Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law.
4. Be a wise consumer of legal services. Interview several lawyers before choosing one. Question the lawyer about his or her credentials, experience, staff, and timeline for working on and finishing your case. Look for a lawyer who sensitively listens to you, candidly answers your questions, encourages collaboration, and considers you a member of the legal team.
5. Before you hire a lawyer, have a frank discussion about fees, including how and when the lawyer sends bills. Estate lawyers usually charge either an hourly rate or a percentage of the assets in the estate. An hourly rate will generally be more appropriate for your case. Do not engage a lawyer who is ambiguous about fees. Insist upon a written fee agreement before the lawyer starts on your case. Resist the urge to let your lawyer-friend who knows little about estate issues handle the case because he or she wants to help and may be cheap or free. Remember, you get what you pay for!

Once you have decided upon the lawyer with whom you want to work, consider the following:

1. Don’t delay! Deadlines may affect the administration of your loved one’s estate and your legal rights. For example, if your loved one died as a result of the negligent or intentional behavior of another person, you may have only one year from the date of your loved one’s death to file a lawsuit against the perpetrator. Also, if you are a surviving spouse and your loved one died without a will, there may be limitations periods on the property rights that you can claim as a surviving spouse. Finally, although most states no longer have estate or inheritance taxes, a few states still do; you do not want to incur penalties and interest by not filing the estate or inheritance tax returns on time.
2. Your grief will affect your motivation and concentration. Ask a friend or relative to accompany you to meetings with your lawyer to help you remember the lawyer’s explanations and instructions. Take a notebook or journal with you to each appointment with your lawyer and make notes of your meeting, especially recording activities that your lawyer wants you to do.
3. In defense of lawyers everywhere, I beg you to not shoot the messenger. Your lawyer may need to tell you things that you do not want to hear…difficult legal realities about the death of your loved one that your lawyer did not create. Your grief may compel you to lash out in anger at the lawyer. Don’t. During this difficult time, your lawyer can be a powerful ally who you don’t want to alienate.
4. Don’t panic if your loved one’s estate must be probated. Probate has gotten negative publicity in recent years; some of it is justified, and some of it is not.
5. Release your expectation of quickly finishing your loved one’s estate; that may or may not be possible. You may feel that if the estate is closed quickly, you will get over your grief quickly. This is a common perception that is usually not grounded in reality, because you will get through your grief only as you diligently do your grief work.

Widows Support Group

The Young Widow Support Group of SW Ohio (YWSG-SWO) is a monthly support group for widows under approximately 50 years of age.

The group meets on the first Thursday of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Normandy United Methodist Church, 450 W. Alex Bell Road, Centerville, Ohio. YWSG-SWO is not affiliated with the church.

On Thursday, November 5, they will explore the topic “Navigating Grief at the Holidays.” The speaker will be Kim Vesey, a longtime Roberson Law client and retired hospice nurse who is certified in thanatology and became a widow at age 45.

Attendees will leave with an awareness of common holiday grief triggers, ideas for navigating them, and the beginnings of a holiday survival plan. We hope you can join them!

Questions? Email widows.swohio@gmail.com.

Share some thanks! 

from Amy Cary, Business Manager

Our clients are awesome. At least once a month, we receive a note of appreciation, homemade baked treat, or flowers delivered from a client who we have helped through a difficult time in life.

Many people don't have the time or resources to show gratitude in those ways, but a gesture of thanksgiving that never dies is a public review of appreciation. Your feedback not only helps us, but it also helps other potential clients.

If you cannot give us 5 stars in the link below, please reach out to me personally at acary@dayton-attorney.com. I am here to assist you if there is anything that we can do to improve your experience with our firm.  Thank you for helping us in our efforts to continue to maintain the excellent, high standards that have been the backbone of our reputation for over 40 years!

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