Meet Our Attorney
I am a solo practioner who graduated from John Marshall College of Law in 1983 and has been practicing law in Ohio since 1985. I have focused on providing affordable, high quality legal services in a prompt and professional manner. My practice is designed to assist individuals and families through some of the most life challanging times. When one wishes to adopt a child, has lost a loved one through death, needs to find protection for a friend or family member who can no longer take care of themselves, or desires to buy or sell a home, you need an attorney who knows how to work closely with you, is sensitive to your situation, and has the skills and expertise to guide you through the legal processes.
Our Law Firm
Experience and Dedication in Family & Estate Law
I believe an attorney should be accessible to you and willing to answer any questions you may have. Since I personally work with each of my clients, I make sure that I am available to you throughout your legal process.
As a sole practioner, I help individuals and families with adoptions, estate planning and will or trust drafting, administering an estate when a loved one passes away, or assisting in setting up a guardianship or change your name. In addition, I help those who are working with a realtor and desire to have an attorney review their real estate purchase contracts, request for remedies, and real estate closing documents. I also assist those who wish to buy or sell their home without a realtor. Lastly, I can prepare the documents for creating a small business or limited liability company (LLC).
Additional Services
In addition to the mentioned services, Bonnie offers compassionate and knowledgeable legal guidance in several other areas, including guardianships, LLC formation, and name changes. Whether you’re managing a loved one’s care, starting a new business, or updating personal legal documents, Bonnie brings the same clarity, accessibility, and client-focused approach to every matter she handles.
Guardianship
There are two types of guardianships in Ohio. One is for those who are elderly or mentally incompetent. The other is for youth in need of a guardian. I have experience with both.
There are times a loved one needs the assistance of a guardian. They may have become incompetent and need family oversight or the appointment of an outside person to care for them.
Youth may also be in need of a guardian due to special circumstances. Either way, I can be of assistance to you
Name Changes
There are many reasons why one may need, or desire, to change their name. Whatever the reason, I know both the process and forms that need to be completed to efficiently help you legally change your name.
Small Business Creation
If you want to create your own small business, you should either set up a limited liability corporation (LLC) or a sub chapter S Corporation.
Limited Liability Corporation (LLC)
When creating an LLC, you need to file Articles of Organization, create an Operating Agreement, and obtain a tax ID number. The operating agreement needs to be customized to match your business. I prepare different, specialized agreements for single member LLC’s, multi-member LLC’s and those who have managing partners separate from the regular members.
If you are creating a sub-chapter S corporation, there are Articles of Incorporation to be filed and a code of conduct or by-laws to be prepared. You will also need to issue stock certificates and obtain an employee tax id number.
Whichever you need, I am very willing and available to provide the legal services you need for a reasonable price. Filing fees are additional to legal and clerical services.
Legal Fees for Services
Because I know that selecting an attorney is such a personal matter, I provide one free consultation, either on the phone or in person. I will also provide one free additional round of e-mail conversation following a free consultation. Beyond that, I will need to begin charging for my time and expertise.
Depending upon the type of work being done, I charge hourly or may have a flat fee for services. However, whether there is an hourly charge or flat fee, other expenses, such as court costs, return receipt mail, filing fees, clerical work, drive time, recording fees and other expenses will be charged to the client. My hourly fee is $175 per hour charged in 5 minute increments. This means that if I call you or email you, I will charge you for 5 minutes of time. Many attorneys bill in 15 minute increments. By charging in 5 minute increments, I am keeping my legal billing at a minimum for you. Clerical work will be billed at $25.00 per hour and drive time at $45 per hour.
Flat fee work is available for adoptions using certain adoption agencies, real estate work, and estate planning.
For a basic estate plan consisting of a General Power of Attorney, Last Will and Testament and Health Care Power of Attorney/Living Will, the flat fee is $450 for an individual or a couple. If a trust is needed, there will be an additional fee.
Unless there are unusual circumstances, I charge a flat fee of $475 for real estate work when there is a realtor involved. If your real estate transaction does not involve a realtor, our services will be billed at our standard hourly rate. This includes reviewing real estate contracts, working with realtor on addendums and remedy requests, reviewing closing documents and attending the closing.
On real estate transactions without a realtor, I have to use hourly billing as noted above.
On flat fee work, full payment must be received by the finalization hearing, if an adoption, or when we sign the estate planning documents or at the real estate closing.
On fee based work, I will bill you and expect to be paid in a reasonable period of time after being invoiced. I do not take retainers.
Bonnie Michael Legal Practice 