At Mackenzie Murphy’s Law, we believe estate planning is not just about documents—it's about peace of mind. Whether you're planning for the future of your family, your finances, or your legacy, we help you make informed decisions with clarity, compassion, and legal precision.
Our goal is simple: to help you protect your loved ones, preserve your assets, and minimize future burdens through a custom, comprehensive estate plan that fits your life.
What Is Estate Planning?
Estate planning is the legal process of organizing your affairs during your lifetime to ensure your wishes are honored after death—or if you become incapacitated. A well-crafted plan provides:
Clear instructions for your healthcare and finances if you can't make decisions
A smooth transfer of assets to loved ones
Guardianship for minor children
Minimization of taxes, court costs, and family conflict
A lasting legacy through charitable giving or trusts
We work with individuals, couples, blended families, business owners, and retirees at all stages of life to create plans that work in real life, not just on paper.
At Mackenzie Murphy’s Law, we provide personalized solutions tailored to your goals, family structure, and financial situation. Our services include:
Wills & Trusts
Last Will and Testament
Revocable Living Trusts
Irrevocable Trusts
Testamentary Trusts
Special Needs Trusts
Trust Amendments & Restatements
Powers of Attorney
Durable Financial Power of Attorney
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Living Will / Advance Directives
Business Succession Planning
Protecting your business interests
Planning for continuity or transfer of ownership
Family-owned business succession
Guardianship Designations
Naming guardians for minor children
Temporary and emergency guardianship provisions
Estate Plan Reviews & Updates
Reviewing existing documents for gaps or outdated terms
Updating plans due to marriage, divorce, children, retirement, or asset changes
We know estate planning can feel overwhelming or emotional. That’s why we’ve built a process that’s:
Clear – We explain everything in plain language, not legal jargon.
Personalized – No boilerplate documents. Your plan is tailored to your unique life.
Relationship-Driven – We see estate planning as a partnership, not a transaction. We're here for the long term.
Whether you’re just starting out or updating a complex legacy plan, you’ll work directly with Attorney Mackenzie Murphy, who brings thoughtful insight, strategic planning, and unwavering care to every client.
Who We Help
Families with minor or adult children
Retirees planning for long-term care
Individuals with blended families or second marriages
Professionals and business owners
Parents of children with special needs
Anyone who wants to avoid probate or reduce estate taxes
If you own property, have loved ones who depend on you, or want to direct how your estate is handled—you need a plan.
When legal matters must pass through the probate court in Ohio, the process can be confusing, time-consuming, and a tough time emotionally. Whether you are administering a loved one’s estate, seeking legal guardianship, or expanding your family through adoption, having a knowledgeable and compassionate probate attorney by your side can make all the difference.
At Mackenzie Murphy's Law, we help individuals and families navigate the probate system efficiently and with peace of mind.
We provide full-service legal support for all types of probate court matters across Ohio, including:
Decedents’ Estates & Estate Administration
After someone passes away, their assets often need to go through probate. This legal process ensures debts are paid and property is distributed according to the will—or Ohio law, if there is no will.
We help with:
Opening the estate in probate court
Filing the will and securing its validity
Identifying and valuing assets
Notifying heirs and creditors
Resolving debts and claims against the estate
Distributing property to beneficiaries
Preparing required probate accountings and filings
Assisting with small estate alternatives (where applicable)
Adoptions
Adoption is a joyful and life-changing legal process—but it’s also highly regulated and often complex. We help individuals and families complete legal adoptions smoothly and with the highest level of care.
We represent clients in:
Private and agency adoptions
Step-parent and relative adoptions
Adult adoptions
Finalizing adoptions in probate court
Guardianships (Adults & Minors)
Guardianship is a legal process where the probate court appoints someone to care for a person who is unable to care for themselves—whether due to age, disability, or incapacity.
We assist with:
Establishing guardianship of a minor or adult
Contested guardianship proceedings
Emergency and temporary guardianships
Annual reporting and accountings
Guardianship termination or modification
We help families, concerned relatives, and professionals seek guardianship appointments or defend their rights in contested matters. Whether you’re pursuing a guardianship out of love or necessity, we’ll walk you through the court process with compassion and clarity.
When a loved one passes away or a trust becomes irrevocable, the process of trust administration begins. Trust administration involves carrying out the terms of the trust—managing assets, paying debts, filing tax returns, and distributing property to beneficiaries—according to the law and the trust’s instructions.
In Ohio, this process is governed by the Ohio Trust Code (ORC Title 58). Whether you're a trustee navigating your legal duties, or a beneficiary seeking to understand your rights, having an experienced trust administration attorney ensures the process is handled properly and efficiently.
Being named a trustee is a serious responsibility, and Ohio law imposes fiduciary duties that can create personal liability if mishandled. We guide trustees through each step, providing legal protection, clarity, and confidence.
Review and Interpretation of Trust Documents
We help you understand the trust’s terms, your powers, and your obligations under Ohio law.
Notification and Compliance Duties
We ensure all required notices are given to beneficiaries and that you meet Ohio’s legal standards for disclosure and reporting.
Asset Inventory and Valuation
Our team helps you identify, secure, and value all trust assets in compliance with legal requirements.
Investment and Management Guidance
We assist with prudent investment decisions and delegation strategies that comply with the prudent investor rule.
Trustee Accounting and Recordkeeping
We prepare or review trustee accountings and help you maintain proper financial records to avoid disputes or liability.
Distributions to Beneficiaries
We advise on timing and method of distributions, helping you balance fairness, discretion, and tax efficiency.
Tax Reporting and Legal Filings
From estate tax filings to fiduciary income tax returns, we coordinate with tax professionals to ensure compliance.
Termination and Final Distribution
We manage the legal process of winding up the trust, making final distributions, and releasing you from further obligations.
If you're a trust beneficiary, you have legal rights to information, accountings, and fair treatment. Our attorneys help you:
Understand your entitlements under the trust
Enforce your right to receive reports or accountings
Address concerns about mismanagement, delayed distributions, or trustee misconduct
Pursue modifications or court petitions if circumstances change
Whether your goal is to stay informed or to challenge a trustee’s actions, we ensure your voice is heard and protected under Ohio law.
Trustees often assume their duties without realizing the legal risks involved. Even unintentional mistakes—like improper recordkeeping, failure to notify beneficiaries, or imprudent investment decisions—can lead to litigation or personal liability.
As experienced Ohio trust administration attorneys, we:
Help prevent costly errors and disputes
Streamline the administration process
Minimize tax liability
Protect trustees from liability
Resolve conflicts through negotiation or litigation when needed
A family member dies, and a successor trustee needs help taking over
A trustee needs advice on asset management and distributions
A beneficiary believes a trustee is not acting fairly or transparently
Trust assets need to be sold, transferred, or retitled
A trust needs to be modified or terminated in court
There’s disagreement among co-trustees or beneficiaries
We know trust administration often occurs during a difficult time. Our attorneys bring professionalism, discretion, and compassion to every case. Whether you need full-service legal administration or targeted advice, we tailor our services to your unique needs.