Biography
Growing up, when his peers wanted to be astronauts and firefighters, Tom always wanted to be a teacher. Now he loves doing that every day through his legal practice and Eques Title.
In the real estate field, Tom uses his unique experience to advance clients’ interests in real estate matters, from leases to litigation. With a knack for researching and analyzing title issues and an attention to detail that helps avoid delays at the closing, Tom loves helping clients buy and invest in their home, as well as their futures through real estate investments like short-term rentals.
In his core estate planning practice, Tom strives to make the process comfortable and straightforward by effectively learning his clients’ needs and desires and implementing them through methods that are both practical and efficient. He’s built a system that offers to complete a full estate plan in only one meeting, making it easier for working people and retired travelers to “cross it off the list.”
Tom also has broad probate experience, extending beyond regular estates to contested or complex guardianships and pursuing recovery from a former fiduciary. While he spends significant time trying to avoid probate, he understands that sometimes probate happens; when it does, he’s ready to lead the team that helps clients clean things up.
Tom also helps small businesses, starting with his wife’s single member LLC (yes, she’s the boss!). Whether it’s plugging the business into an estate plan or segmenting assets for protection against risks in real estate investing, Tom’s practical advice helps clients get back to their real work.
He is now an active member of the Westerville Sunrise Rotary club and the Knights of Columbus, and enjoys following his favorite baseball and college basketball teams. During law school Tom spent a summer working and studying Irish and European Law in Dublin, Ireland, and brought back an occasional brogue and an expanded appreciation for whiskey. He and his wife Jessica are “opportunity travelers” – taking advantage of circumstances as they come. Together they’re raising three wonderful children at home.
Experience
Licensed to practice law in Ohio State Courts and the Federal Southern District of Ohio since 2007
Practice Areas
Real Estate and Title: Title and closing through Eques Title, contracts and sales without a realtor (and with them too!), resolving title defects, investment property set-up and management (including leases and contracts), clearing local zoning and regulatory issues, residential and commercial leases.
Estate Planning: explaining and helping clients make key decisions in Last Wills and Testaments, Durable Financial Powers of Attorney, Advanced Medical Directives (Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will), and Revocable Living Trusts to avoid probate and secure assets to young beneficiaries and charitable giving, Transfer on Death Designation Affidavits.
Probate and Trust Administration: Summary Release, Relief from Administration, and Full Administration of probate estates in court, including land sale actions where necessary; Trust Administrations where we bring together Trustees, beneficiaries, tax and financial advisors and other professionals to amicably resolve disputes and efficiently complete management; pursuits against a fiduciary; contested guardianships over a loved one.
Business: Drafting and revising operating agreements to secure member-manager provisions and TOD ownership transfers, registering and secretary of state designations; series LLC setups for investment property ownership and sales and other entrepreneurial endeavors.
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