Estate Planning Adviser in Columbus, OH (2026)
Estate Planning Adviser in Columbus, OH (2026)
Columbus is Ohio’s largest city and one of the most economically diverse metros in the Midwest, anchored by Ohio State University, a growing tech sector, major insurance and financial services headquarters, and a steady influx of young professionals. Ohio repealed its state estate tax in 2013, which removed a significant layer of taxation that once affected estates above ~$338,000. But federal estate tax still applies, and the projected 2026 exemption sunset under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is creating urgency for Columbus families who assumed their estates were too small to worry about.
Why You Need an Estate Planning Adviser in Columbus
The federal estate tax exemption is projected to drop from ~$13.6 million per individual to roughly ~$7 million in 2026. While this threshold still excludes most Columbus households, families with a combination of real estate equity, retirement accounts, business interests, and life insurance death benefits may be closer to this line than they expect. Life insurance proceeds are included in the taxable estate unless owned by an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT), a detail that surprises many people.
Ohio is a common law property state, meaning assets are owned by the spouse whose name is on the title, unlike community property states where marital assets are split 50/50 by default. This makes titling decisions — who owns what and how it is titled — critical to estate planning. Joint tenancy with right of survivorship, tenancy in common, and transfer-on-death (TOD) designations each have different implications for probate avoidance, tax treatment, and control over distribution.
Ohio’s transfer-on-death designation for real property is a powerful probate avoidance tool. By recording a TOD affidavit, a property owner can pass real estate directly to named beneficiaries without going through probate. This is simpler and cheaper than creating a trust for the sole purpose of avoiding probate on a single property, but it lacks the flexibility and control that a trust provides. An experienced adviser will know when a TOD designation is sufficient and when a trust is the better structure.
Ohio’s probate process is not as expensive or slow as in some states, but it is still public. Anyone can look up probate filings, meaning the details of your estate — assets, debts, beneficiaries — become a matter of public record. For families who value privacy, a revocable living trust is the standard tool to keep estate details out of the public record.
What to Look For in a Columbus Estate Planning Adviser
Look for advisers with a CFP designation who work in coordination with estate planning attorneys. The Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) credential signals advanced expertise. The Estate Planning Council of Central Ohio is a local professional organization whose members include attorneys, CPAs, and financial planners focused on estate and trust planning.
Fee-only, fiduciary advisers ensure that recommendations are made in your interest, not driven by product commissions.
Average Estate Planning Adviser Fees in Columbus
| Fee Type | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Hourly consultation | ~$175 – ~$375 per hour |
| Comprehensive estate plan (financial planning component) | ~$1,800 – ~$5,000 |
| Ongoing advisory retainer (includes estate plan updates) | ~$2,000 – ~$5,500 per year |
| Assets under management (AUM) for integrated wealth/estate planning | ~0.75% – ~1.15% annually |
Note: legal fees for drafting trusts, wills, and other documents are separate. Expect to pay an estate planning attorney ~$1,500 – ~$3,500 for a complete trust-based plan in Columbus.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Estate Planning Adviser
- How are you preparing clients for the projected federal estate tax exemption sunset? Even in Ohio, where state estate tax is gone, the federal threshold change matters.
- How do you approach asset titling decisions in a common law property state? Titling errors are one of the most common ways estate plans fail in Ohio.
- When do you recommend a revocable living trust versus TOD designations for probate avoidance? The adviser should be able to explain the tradeoffs clearly.
- How do you coordinate with estate planning attorneys and CPAs? Estate planning requires legal, tax, and financial expertise working together.
- Are you a fiduciary, and do you receive any commissions from insurance or annuity products? Commission-driven recommendations can distort estate planning advice.
Key Takeaways
- Ohio’s repeal of the state estate tax in 2013 simplified the landscape, but federal estate tax and the projected exemption sunset still create planning needs for Columbus families.
- Asset titling, TOD designations, and the choice between trusts and simpler probate avoidance tools are central to estate planning in Ohio’s common law property system.
- Prioritize advisers with CFP and/or AEP credentials who are fee-only and coordinate with licensed estate planning attorneys.
Next Steps
Begin with Estate Planning 101 for a foundational overview. To understand how adviser compensation structures compare, read Financial Adviser Fees Explained. Use our Compare Financial Advisers tool to find estate planning specialists in Columbus.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a licensed financial professional for your specific situation.