Bratton Law LLC
No one has a crystal ball for what the future holds, but together we will make a plan that provides peace of mind.
With years of practical experience, our attorneys have seen the many ways people end up in having to administer assets through the probate process. They are ready to use that knowledge to help create a plan to avoid probate, while protecting loved ones, and leaving client's with a sense of control over the process.
Estate Planning and Estate Administration, Coshocton County, Ohio
Practice Areas
At Bratton Law LLC, we provide the following legal services.
Estate Planning
Understanding Estate Planning:
Estate planning involves creating a comprehensive strategy to manage your assets and affairs during your lifetime and ensuring that your wealth is distributed according to your wishes after your passing. It goes beyond just creating a will and encompasses various legal documents and financial considerations.
Components of Estate Planning:
- Will: A will outlines how you want your assets distributed and who should be responsible for carrying out your wishes.
- Trusts: Trusts can help manage and protect your assets, provide for specific beneficiaries, and even minimize estate taxes.
- Power of Attorney: This document designates someone to make financial or medical decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
- Healthcare Directive: Also known as a living will, this document states your medical preferences if you're unable to communicate your wishes.
- Beneficiary Designations: Ensuring that your retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other assets have updated beneficiaries is crucial.
- Guardianship Designations: If you have minor children, you can designate guardians to take care of them in case both parents pass away.
- Estate Taxes: Proper planning can help reduce the potential tax burden on your estate.
Elder Law
Understanding Elder Law:
Elder law is a specialized area of legal practice that focuses on the unique needs and challenges faced by senior citizens. It covers a wide range of legal matters related to healthcare, long-term care, financial planning, and more.
Key Areas of Elder Law:
- Estate Planning: Ensuring that seniors' wishes are carried out in terms of asset distribution, wills, trusts, and minimizing estate taxes.
- Guardianship: Appointing a legal guardian to make decisions for seniors who are no longer capable of making decisions on their own.
- Long-Term Care Planning: Assisting seniors and their families in navigating nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and Medicaid planning.
- Medicaid and Medicare: Providing guidance on eligibility, coverage, and benefits for these government assistance programs.
- Elder Abuse and Neglect: Protecting seniors from physical, emotional, or financial abuse and seeking legal remedies if abuse occurs.
- Advance Directives: Assisting seniors in creating documents such as living wills and healthcare proxies to outline their medical preferences and designate decision-makers.
Special Needs Planning
Understanding Special Needs Planning:
Special needs planning is a comprehensive process that involves creating a roadmap for the financial, legal, and care-related needs of individuals with disabilities. It's designed to provide a secure future for them while preserving eligibility for government benefits and enhancing their quality of life.
Key Components of Special Needs Planning:
- Special Needs Trust (SNT): This trust preserves eligibility for means-tested government benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) while enhancing the individual's quality of life with supplemental funds.
- Guardianship or Conservatorship: If necessary, legal arrangements can be made to ensure the well-being and protection of individuals who cannot make decisions independently.
- Beneficiary Designations: Careful consideration of beneficiaries on life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other assets to avoid disrupting eligibility for government benefits.
- Estate Planning: Creating a comprehensive estate plan that accounts for the individual's special needs and circumstances.
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Estate Planning and Estate Administration Lawyer
About Bratton Law LLC
News and Updates
- Attorney Bratton was selected as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2024.
- For the second year in a row, Attorney Bratton was selected as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers (2025).
Estate Planning and Estate Administration Legal Team
Meet the team
We are not your typical law firm. We value long-term relationships and endeavor to build and sustain those with our clients. We want to partner with you and make a plan to protect what matters most—your family.
Kelly L. Bratton
Attorney | Founder of Bratton Law LLC | Co-Founder of Dogwood Title LLC
A lifelong resident of Coshocton, Ohio, Kelly L. Bratton is proud to serve the community she has always called home. After graduating from Coshocton High School, Kelly attended The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She began her professional career with PNC Bank before discovering her passion for the legal profession.
Kelly’s legal career began as a probate paralegal, a position she held for nearly five years before joining the Coshocton County Juvenile and Probate Court as a deputy clerk, where she managed the guardianship docket. These experiences provided her with a strong foundation in probate, estate administration, and guardianship matters and ultimately inspired her to pursue a law degree. While continuing to work, Kelly attended Capital University Law School’s evening program, earning her Juris Doctor in January 2022. She went on to establish Bratton Law LLC and later co-founded Dogwood Title LLC, combining her legal experience with her commitment to providing personalized, practical legal services to individuals, families, and businesses throughout the community.
Kelly’s dedication to her profession and community has earned her recognition as an Ohio Rising Star in both 2024 and 2025, as well as the Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Young Leader Award. In 2026 she was awarded the District Community Service Award for Newer Attorneys for District 9 by the Ohio State Bar Foundation. She remains actively involved in numerous community organizations, serving on the boards of the Dollars for Scholars and the Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce. She is also the President-Elect of the Coshocton Kiwanis Club, and a member of the Coshocton County Bar Association and the Coshocton Junior Women’s Club.
Outside the office, Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband, Jerad, cheering on their son, Pacman, at his sporting events, and taking neighborhood walks with their dogs, Griffey and Cookie. She is grateful for the opportunity to build lasting relationships while serving the community that has given her so much.
Corie L. Lahna
Attorney | Co-Founder of Dogwood Title LLC
A native of Warsaw, Ohio, Corie L. Lahna has always had a strong interest in the legal profession and a commitment to serving her local community. After graduating from River View High School, Corie attended Ohio University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Psychology. She continued her education at the University of Dayton School of Law, earning her Juris Doctor in 2007.
Corie began her legal career practicing criminal defense in Licking, Fairfield, and Coshocton Counties, gaining nearly four years of valuable courtroom and client advocacy experience. In 2011, she transitioned into oil and gas law and real estate title work, developing extensive experience in title examination, property matters, and the legal complexities surrounding real estate transactions. She has also served as the Coshocton County Drug Court Attorney for approximately eight years. Today, Corie brings her diverse legal background and practical approach to her work at Bratton Law. As co-founder of Dogwood Title LLC alongside Kelly Bratton, she also helps provide comprehensive title and closing services to individuals, businesses, and real estate professionals throughout the area.
Corie is a member of the American Association of Professional Landmen and remains actively involved in the Coshocton community. She serves on the Coshocton Behavioral Health Choices Board and the Coshocton County Public Defenders Commission, and is a member of the Coshocton Kiwanis Club, reflecting her continued dedication to both the legal profession and the well-being of the community.
Outside the office, Corie enjoys spending time with her husband, Chad, and their daughters, Addie and Rigley. Whether attending sporting events or enjoying time together as a family, she values the close-knit community and relationships that make the Coshocton area a special place to live and work.
Jonathon E. Sorrell
Attorney
A native of Warsaw, Ohio, Jack Sorrell is excited to begin his legal career in the community where he grew up. After graduating from River View High School in 2020, Jack attended Capital University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2023. He continued his education at Capital University Law School in downtown Columbus, earning his Juris Doctor. Having experienced communities of varying sizes throughout his education, Jack knew the Coshocton area was where he wanted to establish his legal career.
Jack’s interest in the legal profession began in high school through his participation in the Coshocton County Mock Trial program. Working alongside local judges and attorneys while participating in simulated trials provided him with an early appreciation for the law and the important role attorneys play in their communities. Growing up in a family with a strong business background, Jack initially considered several business-related career paths before finding his calling in the legal profession. Today, he brings that business perspective to his legal practice, along with a desire to develop practical solutions and build meaningful relationships with the individuals and businesses he serves.
Jack looks forward to becoming increasingly involved in local organizations and community activities and has already joined the Coshocton Rotary Club. He values the relationships and opportunities that come with practicing law in a close-knit community and is committed to continuing his professional development while serving the people of Coshocton County and the surrounding areas.
Outside the office, Jack enjoys playing guitar, fishing, and spending time with friends and family. An animal lover, he grew up surrounded by dogs, horses, and the occasional barn cat. He is enthusiastic about this next chapter and looks forward to building a lasting career serving the community he calls home.
Amanda Crossley
Probate Paralegal & Office Manager
Kacey Lahna
Real Estate Paralegal & Dogwood Title Manager
Tisha Raber
Estate Planning and Business Paralegal
Carly Murphy
Receptionist
Griffey Bratton
Client Services, Director of Greeting
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Bratton Law LLC
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(740) 202-9557
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538 Main Street, Suite 207
Coshocton, OH 43812
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