Toledo Probate Litigation Attorney

Providing legal representation in the unique area of probate litigation for more than 25 years

Many Ohio attorneys focus on estate administration and the drafting of wills and trusts, but few handle will contests and trust contests.  Drafting a will or trust and contesting a will or trust are two entirely different matters, requiring a different set of skills.

I, Richard Kolb, have been handling will contests and trust contests since 1984.  My goal is to find the best solution for my client as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Probate litigation is a unique area of law which I practice exclusively

Probate litigation is a niche area of the law requiring special knowledge of both probate law and litigation law. There are many unique rules (indeed minefields) applicable to will contest and trust contest cases, that do not apply to other cases.

Most probate attorneys focus on the transactional end of probate (estate administration and the drafting of wills or trusts) and many litigators concentrate on cases involving other areas of the law, such as personal injury, business, bankruptcy, divorce, etc.  My sole practice is will contests, trust contests and related probate litigation issues.

My probate litigation practice includes:

I have been involved in settling and trying hundreds and hundreds of probate litigation cases.  I have handled cases throughout the state of Ohio.  I have both challenged and defended probate disputes.  

Learn more about the types of cases I have worked on by reading about some of my sample cases.

Operating on a contingency fee system

I take most cases on a contingency fee basis.  Under a contingency fee arrangement, I am paid a percentage of the amount recovered but I am not paid a fee if there is no recovery.  Thus, I take the risk of loss - not my client. My broad experience helps me evaluate the worthiness of a case, giving me the confidence necessary to risk taking a case on a contingency basis rather than charging an hourly fee.  Few other attorneys in Ohio handle will contests, trust contests, or related cases on a contingency fee basis.

Contingency fees are beneficial to my clients because will contests, trust contests and related probate litigation cases often require dozens or even hundreds of hours to prepare and try.  This amount of effort quickly becomes highly expensive if you are paying at an hourly rate.  Most clients cannot afford this type of expense.

Finding effective resolutions in a peaceable fashion

Probate litigation cases are often traumatic to the client, especially when a child is excluded from a parent’s will or trust.  Emotions run high for the parties on both sides of the dispute.  I make every effort to calm the passions rather than fan the flames.  Settlement, if this is your ultimate goal, can be more effectively accomplished by reducing the emotions.

Contact me

If you would like to discuss ways I can help you, please contact my probate litigation law firm online or at (419) 244-3006.

I keep flexible hours and can speak to you in the evening or even weekends, if necessary.

I serve clients in cities such as Toledo, Sylvania, Perrysburg, Rossford, Bowling Green, Wauseon, Napoleon, Findlay, Lima, Fremont, Port Clinton, Norwalk, Tiffin, Van Wert, Troy, Sidney, Dayton and Columbus, as well as counties such as Lucas, Wood, Fulton, Henry, Williams, Defiance, Ottawa, Erie, Sandusky, Hancock, Allen, Pauling, Putnam, Van Wert, Mercer, Darke, Auglaize, Wyandot, Champaign, Green, Seneca, Miami, Montgomery and Franklin.  I have also served clients in other Ohio cities and counties.