Services

Dennis A. Rathburn of Rathburn & Associates is a member of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio, Credit Bureau of Columbus, Ohio State Bar Association and Columbus Bar Association. Dennis serves as both attorney and accountant and has served as a police officer. He has solid experience in the following areas of law:

Areas of Practice

Domestic Law:

• Divorce
• Dissolution
• Custody

Probate Law

• Estates
• Probate
• Wills
• Power of Attorney
• Estate Planning
• Trusts
• Name Changes
• Guardianships

Real Estate Law:

• Deeds – Survivorship/Transfer of Death
• Closings Buyer/Seller
• Land Contracts

Estate Planning:

• Last Will & Testament / Living Wills
• Durable Power of Attorney – General
• Durable Power Of Attorney – Health (proxy)
• Survivorship / Living Trusts

Personal Injury:

• Auto Accidents
• Injuries
• Wrongful Death

Social Security:

• Disability / SSI

Business Law:

• Business Formation
• Contract Law

Domestic Law: Divorce or Dissolution?

Divorce:

• One party can start
• Must allege grounds
• Service required
• May have restraining order
• May have temporary order
• May have several hearings

Dissolution:

• Both parties needed to start
• No grounds needed
• Service waived
• No restraining orders
• No temporary orders
• Usually one final hearing

Child Custody:

• Parenting issues
• Child support Ohio guidelines
• Child visitation Ohio guidelines

Probate Law:

• Estate Process with a will / without a will

Real Estate Law:

• Survivorship Deed – Not subject to Probate upon death of one owner. All owners are "current" owners. Need consent of all owners for transfer. Married couples generally want this deed.
• Transfer of Death Deed – Not subject to Probate upon death of one owner. A beneficiary is designated. Beneficiary consent not needed to transfer. Beneficiary is not a current owner.
• Life Estate – Allows for control during lifetime. Not subject to probate upon death. Usually used by parents to allow them to live in property for their lifetime then the property is transferred by law to their children after their death. Transfer required signature of all persons on deed.
• Land Contracts – Purchase / sale of land usually without traditional bank financing. Must be recorded. Many requirements per the law. Generally informal transaction. Deed recorded when complete.
• Land Lord / Tenant – Leases of Real Estate & Apartments / Houses

Estate Planning:

•  Last Will & Testament
• You decide how your assets are distributed
• Your name your executor
• Nominate Guardian of Minor Children
• Survivorship Status of Assets 
• Probate Avoidance
• Bank Accounts / IRAs/ 401 (K)s
• Motor Vehicles
• Living/Revocable Trusts
• Living Wills
• General Durable Power of Attorney
• Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (Proxy)