Attorney Zachary Fowler

08/26/2026

A neat little moment in my career. I presented at a seminar today for the Ohio State Bar Association on the topic of insurance and TOD transfers for real estate.

The concern is what happens to the homeowner's insurance after the owner dies. You may expect the TOD beneficiary to be covered, but they are not. If you are considering a TOD for your home or have done one, you may to talk with your insurance agent about adding your TOD beneficiaries as additional insured.

If you are a TOD beneficiary, don't assume the property remains insured after the owner's death. Contact the insurance company or agent promptly to confirm coverage and obtain appropriate insurance.

A TOD for real estate may solve one problem, avoiding probate court, but it can create another if the insurance issue is overlooked.

07/03/2026

11/08/2025

Happy National First-Generation Day! The ABA celebrates the law students and lawyers who are the first in their family to embark upon a legal career and welcomes them to the profession. Take advantage of our resources for first-generation lawyers here: https://bit.ly/3LcoK8z

10/16/2025

09/08/2025

The City of Tiffin Law Director is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Part-time Assistant Director of Law (City Prosecutor).

For full details on and to see the job posting visit https://www.tiffinohio.gov/news/tiffin-seeking-part-time-assistant-prosecutor.

08/13/2025

Also, Client: I used ChatGPT to write this. What do you think?

04/13/2025

Did I do it right? I went with the Funko Pop style for something a little different.

03/17/2025

Estate planning comes down to a simple choice:

You can invest your own resources (time, effort, and finances) into developing a solid estate plan now

-or-

Others may need to handle the aftermath, which typically extends the process and increases the costs.

The greatest gift you can leave your family, regardless of the size of your estate, is to plan ahead so your family doesn't have the burden of making emotional and financial decisions.

03/16/2025

What information do you bring to your first meeting with an estate planning attorney?

🗣️ Personal and family information like:

- Full legal names, date of birth, and contact information for you, your children, and beneficiaries
- Full legal names and contact information for anyone serving in various estate roles (i.e. POA, Executor, Trustee, etc.)

🗂️ Asset information like:

- Real estate deeds and property tax statements
- Bank and investment account statements
- Retirement account information (401(k)s, IRAs, pensions)
- Life insurance policies and annuities
- Business ownership documents
- Vehicle titles
- Valuable personal property inventory (art, jewelry, collectibles)

💰 General information (i.e. approximate balances) on debts like:

- Mortgages
- Personal loans
- Student loans
- Business loans
- Credit cards

Few other things:

📋 Beneficiary designations (on assets themselves - i.e. life insurance, investments, etc.)
📜 Existing estate documents like Will, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Healthcare directives, Living Wills
🗄️ Funeral and burial preferences, including any pre-arranged funeral plans, burial or cremation preferences, etc.