Estate Planning, Trusts
Serving Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

Our firm can assist you with the planning of your estate and prepare all of the documents mentioned below:

Estate Planning

A sound estate plan provides instruction for the management and disposition of your estate and takes full advantage of any estate tax savings that may be available. At a minimum, proper estate planning involves the implementation of a Last Will and Testament, a Durable Power of Attorney (for financial decisions), a Living Will, and a Health Care Power of Attorney.

Wills

A will can be used to accomplish two important objectives: (1) to appoint an executor or executrix who will be responsible for distributing your assets upon your death; (2) to appoint a guardian for your minor children (this will save money by lowering court and bond costs).

Powers of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is used to delegate your decision-making authority to another person if you become incapacitated or incompetent. A Durable Power of Attorney allows you designate an individual to make financial management decisions on your behalf should you be unable to do so. A Health Care Power of Attorney allows you to designate an individual to make health care decisions for you. A Living Will is your directive as to your health care should you become permanently incapacitated or in a terminal condition.

Trusts

If a trust agreement is necessary in your estate plan, we can draft the type of trust agreement that best addresses your estate planning needs and concerns. A trust can be used to meet several important concerns: (1) Avoid some of the costs incurred during the probate process; (2) Provide instructions to the trustee as to financial and custodial care of your minor children; (3) Take advantage of tax savings and lower the amount of federal estate tax owed by your estate; (4) Pass assets to your heirs; and (5) Make charitable gifts.

Gifting

Our firm can assist you to develop a gifting program. Through the use of a well-developed gifting program, you can gift assets to family members, charities or other organizations to lower the amount of your taxable estate.

Estate Administration & Probate

A death in the family is a very emotional and stressful event. We can assist families during this difficult period by guiding you through the probate process.