Law Office Of Tonya R. Coles
Legal Counsel For Your Family Planning Needs
Firm Overview
The Law Office of Tonya R. Coles was established in August 2007. The office is located in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio.
My practice is focused on elder law, estate planning and probate matters. In particular, I handle the following matters:
• ELDER LAW: Estate Planning; Medicare and Medicaid Planning; Grandparents Rights; Guardianships; Conservatorships; Family Business Succession Plans
• ESTATE PLANNING: Wills; Trusts; Advanced Health Care Directives; Powers of Attorney; End of Life Decision Making
• PROBATE: Estate Administration, Guardianships, Conservatorships
Example One: A client recently visited my office because she had been informed that she would lose her Medicaid benefits within one week. She was distraught and felt that she had no options and nowhere to turn. She relied on her Medicaid benefits to survive financially. I was able to work with the client and her social worker to preserve her monthly benefits.
Example Two: A client retained me for estate planning services because she had been diagnosed with cancer and was expected to live only a few months. Prior to the client's death, I was able to help her structure an estate plan to pass her money and property to her loved ones. After the client's death, I was able to guide her family through the probate process.
Main
625 City Park Avenue
Columbus
OH
43206
- (614) 228-6600
- (614) 221-3713
Fees
Free in office consultation. Out-of-office visits billed at $175. per hour.
Most estate planning services are billed at a flat fee rate. During your consultation, we will discuss what your situation requires and the cost for legal services. Mention Nolo for 10% off your estate plan.
$175
Office Information
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Evenings and weekends by appointment.
Yes
How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?
I chose this area of law because it is based on relationships. I enjoy building a relationship with each client and helping them plan for important life events. I take pride in helping my clients create long-term plans and resolve sensitive issues.
What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I believe that clients should do the preliminary research necessary to get a basic understanding of the legal issue they are facing. This makes them a better informed consumer of legal services. However, an attorney should be consulted regarding the legal process necessary to resolve those issues.
Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?
If clients are going to prepare legal documents themselves, it is a good idea to have them reviewed by an attorney. Attorneys are trained to follow the steps required to complete legal documents. Clients should always have an attorney at least review these documents. As an example, I have talked with many clients who have drafted their own powers of attorney or wills only to find later that these documents were not legal. The sad thing is that they found this out at the critical stage when these documents needed to operate -- and it was not possible to prepare another document.
Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I frequently represent clients on a limited basis, either to review documents prepared by the clients themselves or by another attorney. For financial and other reasons, some clients prefer to represent themselves in court and pay an attorney only for document review or drafting.
Tonya Coles
Prior to attending law school, I worked for several years as a marketing professional at Huntington National Bank. Since graduating from law school, I launched my own practice and have worked to offer my clients quality, effective, affordable legal help. I've also provided my services for such worthy community efforts as ProSeniors, Legal Aid Society of Columbus, and Wills for First Responders.
My work in the banking industry taught me valuable customer service skills and how to navigate the financial system, which prepared me to be an estate planning attorney. Also, being a member of a large family taught me to be a people person. My mother is one of twelve children and my father is one of five children. All of my aunts, uncles and cousins have different backgrounds and different ways of thinking. Interacting with a large family taught me to relate to all types of people and to approach situations in a unique way.
I take time to listen to and get to know each client. I like to work together with the client to come up with a plan for resolving their legal issue.
- Bar Number: 0081661
Ohio , 2007
- Capital University Law School
Juris Doctor , 2006
Columbus, OH
- Otterbein College
Bachelor of Arts , 1997
Westerville, OH
• Major: Public Relations
• Minor: English
• Honors: Dean's List 1993 - 1997
• Otterbein Scholar Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
• Ammons-Thomas Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement
* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.
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