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Jacintha K. Balch
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Jacintha K. Balch
Balch Law
1335 Dublin Rd.
Suite 203A
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 224-2329 | Fax: (614) 236-9921
http://www.balchlaw.com
Large Firm Experience, Small Firm Attention
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
Persons needing estate planning, probate and trust services.
Sub-Categories
Insurance
- Annuities
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Property & Casualty
- Audit Defense
- Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
- Income Taxes
- IRS Disputes
- IRS Filing & Compliance
- Negotiating IRS Payments & Settlements
- Power of Attorney
- Property Taxes
- Tax Planning
- Charitable Giving
- Charitable Trusts
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Probate
- Asset Protection
- Guardianship
- Power of Attorney
- Business Succession Planning
- Special Needs Trust
- Supplemental Needs Trust
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Bar Admissions
OH, Nov 1979
Bar Number: 0001653
Specialty Certifications
Ohio Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Probate and Trust.
Other Court Admissions
Ohio Local and Federal District Court.
Association Memberships
Ohio State Bar Association and Columbus Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I attend continuing legal education courses, many of which are at higher levels on estate planning, probate and trust. I also have served as a speaker for such seminars.
Example Cases
First example case: I met with a couple just after the husband was diagnosed with a severe form of cancer and had only a few months to live. The estate was large, requiring federal estate tax planning. Because of the need to rush, the estate planning documents were done and signed within a week. Complete appropriate funding took place before the decedent's death. Thus, we were able to avoid any Probate Court proceedings. The widow wanted to settle her husband's estate as soon as possible because of her own health problems. The federal estate tax return and Ohio estate tax return were filed within six weeks of the decedent's death. We had federal and State estate tax closing letters accepting the estate as filed before the nine month due date for filing the returns.
Second example case: A decedent died owning a business subject to a buy-sell agreement with a strained relationship with his business partner. We were able to fully and effectively carry out the terms of the buy-sell agreement for the estate for the benefit of the decedent's estate. Although the estate was large and complicated, we passed through Probate swiftly and filed federal and Ohio estate tax returns before the due date and received estate tax closing letters accepting the returns as filed.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
University of Michigan Law School
City:
Ann Arbor
State:
MI
Year:
1979
Honors:
Cum Laude and Legislation Award.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Estate Planning, Probate and Health Care Law.
Degree:
B.A.
School:
Wittenberg University
City:
Springfield
State:
OH
Year:
1975
Honors:
Summa Cum Laude.
Focus and Accomplishments:
English.
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
Ohio
Firm Focus and History
Balch Law was formed in 1991 in Columbus, Ohio, and is a boutique law firm focusing on estate planning, probate, and trust.
Previous Employment Summary
Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease - Attorney in the area of estate planning, probate, trust and health care law.
Huntington National Bank/Huntington Trust Company - Vice President and head of estate planning department for region bank trust company.
Activities and Awards
AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell; named one of top Central Ohio lawyers in CEO Magazine 2009; multiple Leave a Legacy Awards sponsored by local charities; former Board member Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio; and Professional Advisors Committee of The Columbus Foundation.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
The more a person educates themselves on basic legal issues, the better that person is prepared to use time effectively with his or her attorney. In the area of estate planning, probate and trust, a self-educated client already will understand the importance of proper estate planning.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
From my experience, it is much better to have an attorney prepare estate planning documents from the very first. Otherwise, too many problems can result. For example, I never met the decedent during his life, but at his death, his children came to me for help with the Will and Trust that their father, the decedent, had drafted himself. It took a Probate Court Declaratory Judgment Action to interpret the Will and the Trust and to get the local Bank to honor it. Even a properly drafted simple Will could have saved three years of proceedings in the Probate Court as the Court attempted to rule on what the decedent had intended when he did his own cut and paste estate planning job before his death.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
For the reasons stated above, I prefer to help the client from the very first to do the job properly. Just like prescribing prescription medicine for yourself when you are sick instead of seeing a doctor is not a good idea, it is best to work with an attorney to do the job right the first time.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
Law offers an opportunity to help people.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
During my years at a large law firm, I was particularly fortunate to have a wonderful mentor that taught me many of the fine points of estate planning and probate. He was very good at answering client questions, stating that "There is no such thing as a dumb question, just a dumb answer." He taught me to be able to explain an estate plan in terms that can be understood.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I am interested in individuals. Estate planning helps me be able to help my client to work out an estate plan that works for that individual, which is crafted to meet that client's needs and specifications. Probate lets me help the family to finalize probate and estate tax matters efficiently and promptly and with kindness and understanding of what the family has been through in the loss of a loved one.
What do you like best about your career?
I like the contact with good people.
Tell us about your law firm:
Balch Law's other attorney, J. Randolph Balch, JD, MHSA, MBA, is a health care attorney. His areas are hospital and physician matters. He is the 2009 to 2010 Chairperson of the Ohio State Bar Association Health Law Committee.
What are your strengths and style?
My strength is to listen to what the client's situation is and to build an estate plan around meeting that client's needs. I try to be very time responsive in getting the job done. I also educate my clients on issues they need to understand. For example, I educate my clients on why funding a trust properly is important. In an estate setting, I try to be sensitive to the family's recent loss and work with them to wind up their loved one's affairs as quickly and accurately as possible. Another strength is when I file an estate tax return, I try to make sure that every entry is documented properly so that the estate moves promptly through the tax system to closing.
Personal Interests:
Gardening, cooking, reading, and travel.
Fax
(614) 236-9921
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by appointment.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I have both hourly rates and fixed price services. I often price estate planning and probate by the job once I see what needs to be done on each case so that the client can relax and take the time to ask any questions, etc.
Hourly Rates
My hourly rate ranges from $235 to $275, based on what the job is.
Free Initial Consultation?
Free consultations of 15 minutes by appointment.
Typical Retainer
No standard retainer.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
