The Law Office of Nicholas Kanoza, LLC

02/18/2026

New on the blog: TRUST Me, It's Not That Complicated

Have you ever wondered what a "trust" really is? This article breaks it down in plain English using a simple analogy you can actually understand.

Check it out!:

Have you ever heard the term “trust,” or “trust fund,” or “put it in a trust,” but never really understood what that means? It can sound complicated, intimidating, or as if it’s something only families with a lot of money need to worry about. In this blog, I want to share an analogy th...

01/21/2026

Is Getting Your Sh*t Together a Goal in 2026?

If “getting your sh*t together” made your list for 2026, you’re in good company. A lot of people here in Ohio know estate planning is something they should do, but it keeps sliding to the bottom of the list because it feels intimidating, awkward, or like a project for “someday.” Good news. It’s usually way easier than you think.

Here’s how it typically works:

1. We talk. We spend about an hour or two talking through your family, your assets, and what matters to you. I make house calls and also meet with clients online, whatever is easiest and most comfortable for you.

2. I put the plan together. I take that conversation and turn it into documents that actually fit your life. No drama. No overcomplication. Just a solid plan that makes sense.

3. You review it. You get time to read things over, ask questions, and make changes. This is a collaboration, not a one-way street.

4. You sign. Once everything feels right, you sign the documents and your plan is officially in place under Ohio law.

5. You sleep a little better. Because your family has a plan and future you will be very glad you did this.

Life is busy. When it makes sense, I can work around your schedule and offer after hours or weekend meetings.

Getting your sh*t together does not have to be overwhelming. It just takes a little intention and the right help.

If 2026 is the year you finally check this off your list, email me at [email protected] to get started.

10/22/2025

🎃 Halloween is all fun and games until someone trips over a cord or a cracked sidewalk.

I just posted a quick guide for Ohio homeowners on who’s really liable if a trick-or-treater takes a tumble this Halloween, and what you can do to protect yourself.

Read here 👉 https://kanozalaw.com/scary-sidewalks-and-haunted-lawns-whos-liable-when-halloween-goes-wrong/

Spoiler: It’s not as scary as it sounds… but a little knowledge goes a long way

When it comes to outdoor holiday decorations, the Kanoza family is proud of their inflatables. Every October, our front yard becomes a sea of ghosts, spiders, and skeletons, all secured with metal stakes and surrounded by a tangled web of extension cords. If you’ve ever set up inflatables, you kno...

10/02/2025

This post is for all the single people out there! Check out why it might be even more important than you think to get your affairs in order:

Did you know that about 50% of Ohio adults are single (never married, divorced, or widowed)? Many assume that being single means you don’t need to get your affairs in order, but the reality is quite different. In Ohio, if you are single, the law doesn’t automatically protect your assets or assig...

09/24/2025

If you or your spouse still have student loans, it’s important to know how those debts could impact your family. In today’s blog, I share what happens to federal and private student loans when "life" happens.

According to Congress.gov, “[n]early 43 million individuals–one in six adult Americans–have federal student loan debt, and the federal student loan portfolio now exceeds $1.6 trillion.” Keep in mind, this doesn’t even account for private student loans, which some estimate to be around $140...

06/18/2025

🎓 Graduation parties are in full swing, and in just a few weeks, many of those high school seniors will become college freshmen. But did you know that once your child turns 18, you may lose the legal right to make medical decisions for them. Even in an emergency?

It’s something most parents don’t realize until it’s too late. This quick read breaks down the simple documents every Ohio parent should consider before their teen leaves home.

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Graduation party season is here. Backyards are buzzing, cupcakes are disappearing fast, and proud parents everywhere are watching their kids celebrate a major milestone. In just a few more weeks, many of these high school seniors will be packing up their lives and heading off to college. But amidst....

05/15/2025

Imagine a lifetime of photographs lost, simply because your loved ones didn’t know how to access your accounts.

Years ago, we could just clean out a storage room and find the old photo albums. Now, those memories live in the cloud, locked behind usernames and passwords. If you don’t plan ahead, they could be lost forever.

It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time, so I've put together a quick blog with some ideas to help you ensure that your memories and digital life don’t disappear.

Check it out👉

Back in law school, I wrote a law review article on what happens to your online accounts when you die. It didn’t get published (and honestly, it wasn’t great), but the topic stuck with me. At the time, it seemed like a fringe issue; I mean, who really cared about digital accounts after death any...

04/07/2025

Fellow parents, here’s a tough question: do you know who will raise your kids if something unexpected happens to you?

Check out the latest blog post to learn what happens when parents pass away without a plan and how you can take control of your child’s future.

👉 Read more: https://kanozalaw.com/what-happens-to-your-minor-children-if-you-dont-have-a-will/

None of us want to think about it, but do you know what happens to your kids if you pass unexpectedly? In Ohio, if you die without a will, you have very little control over who winds up raising your children. The court takes over, which can lead to outcomes you may not have intended. […]

03/04/2025

Do you have a collection of rare coins 🪙, sports memorabilia ⚾️, fine art 🖼, or even Beanie Babies🐢!? Have you thought about what will happen to them in the future? Learn more here:

📖 https://kanozalaw.com/protecting-your-collectibles/

We all have that one friend who takes collecting to the next level. Last week, I visited mine. His sports memorabilia collection? Mind-blowing. Thousands of baseball cards, memorabilia, and rare autographs, all displayed like a museum exhibit. It got me thinking; whether it’s comic books, coins, b...

02/11/2025

🏆 Future Planning: It’s a Team Sport! 🏆

Recently, I’ve had the chance to meet some truly outstanding professionals who are just as passionate about helping people plan for the future as I am. One thing I’ve learned? Estate planning isn’t a solo job—it takes a team of experts working together to protect what matters most.

Sure, you could go it alone—but even the best players need a strong team! From attorneys to financial advisors to accountants, having the right people in your corner makes all the difference.

Want to know why assembling your dream team is the key to a solid estate plan? Check out this article:

👉 https://kanozalaw.com/estate-planning-is-a-team-sport/

💬 Need a referral to a trusted professional? Message me directly—I’d be happy to help!

Why You Need a Strong Team for Future Planning I was going to write about federal estate taxes this week, but most people find that about as riveting as a documentary on paper clips. Instead, let’s discuss something more engaging: why assembling a trusted team of experts is key to your future plan...

02/07/2025

💡Legal Tip: Navigating the Federal Estate Tax with Confidence!💡

We've all heard the saying, "Nothing is certain except death and taxes." But did you know that taxes don’t stop after you pass away? That’s right—your estate could still owe money to the IRS after you die! The federal estate tax, commonly called the "death tax," can significantly reduce the assets you leave behind. Fortunately, with proper planning, you can safeguard your legacy and protect your loved ones from these taxes. Here’s what you need to know:

👉 Here's the bright side: Most estates don’t owe any estate tax. For 2025, the exemption is expected to be around $13.6 million per individual. That means the tax doesn't kick-in until your taxable estate exceeds ~$13.6 M (or double that amount for married couples). That’s great news for most folks!

👉 Even better news: If you're in Ohio, you’ll be happy to know that there is no state death tax! That’s one less thing to worry about!

👉 A little caution: While the majority won't face these taxes, families with significant wealth should plan to keep tax burdens in check. 💰⚖️ Remember, amounts exceeding the exemption could be taxed as much as 40%, so proactive planning is key!

🔹 Helpful Tip: Spouses can pass any unused exemption to the surviving partner. This feature, known as "portability," can be a valuable tool for effective estate planning.

🔹 Smart Strategy: Consider gifting, setting up trusts, or charitable contributions! These strategies foster generosity and can meaningfully reduce your taxable estate.

🔹 An Important Update: Keep an eye on the exemption amount! It's currently around $13.6 million per year but is set to drop down to approximately $7.3 million at the end of this year—unless political changes come into play. If that happens, the estate tax may affect families who thought they were in the clear. This is definitely a subject to watch in the coming months!

So, if you want to safeguard your estate and ensure your family’s future is bright, let's talk! I'm here to help you navigate these waters in an easy-to-understand way.