Trusts, Estates & Wealth Transfer

We assist clients in protecting their assets and ensuring that their wishes are carried out after they pass away by creating a comprehensive estate plan that includes wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. We also help with the administration of trusts, the establishment of guardianships for minor children, and the transfer of wealth to future generations. With a personalized planning approach and attention to detail, we help clients achieve their legacy goals and provide peace of mind for our clients and their loved ones.

We assist clients with probate and trust administration, ensuring that their wishes are carried out and assets are distributed according to their intentions. Our group provides guidance and support throughout the probate process, helping clients and their loved ones navigate complex legal and financial issues. We also assist with trust administration, serving as a trustee or advisor on trust management and distributions. With a focus on efficiency, transparency, and sensitivity to family dynamics, we help clients achieve a smooth and successful administration.

Effective business succession planning is crucial for closely-held businesses to prevent failure after the primary owner’s retirement or death. Our experienced team works with you to develop unique plans that consider business, personal, and tax factors. Our plans involve developing a succession strategy, monitoring progress, and coordinating with retirement and tax planning, including the preparation of shareholder, operating, and buy-sell agreements.

We assist clients in creating and implementing effective charitable giving strategies that align with their philanthropic goals and estate planning objectives. This includes setting up charitable trusts (such as charitable remainder trusts [CRAT or CRUT], charitable lead trusts [CLAT or CLUT]), foundations, or donor-advised funds, as well as providing guidance on tax-efficient giving strategies.

We have extensive experience in estate tax disputes and in charitable contribution planning. We work on all aspects of estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes, as well as estate and trust income taxes.

We work with fiduciaries (including executors, administrators, and trustees) to advise them on the unique characteristics of operating as a fiduciary. We have the experience to alert fiduciaries to their unique reporting obligations and potential pitfalls. We also work with beneficiaries to ensure that they are treated fairly and get all that they are entitled to receive. We use specialized tools to assist these clients, including decanted trusts and private settlement agreements.

We help clients with prenuptial and postnuptial agreements to protect their assets and interests in the event of divorce or death. Our group assists in drafting and negotiating these agreements, addressing important issues such as property division, spousal support, and inheritance rights. With a focus on personalized attention and discretion, we help clients navigate this sensitive area of family law. By planning ahead with a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, clients can avoid potential legal disputes and achieve peace of mind.

We assist with special needs trust planning, helping clients provide for the future care and financial security of a loved one with disabilities. Our group can set up a wholly-discretionary or special needs trust that will preserve eligibility for government benefits and provide for additional expenses not covered by those benefits. With a deep understanding of special needs planning and a focus on personalized attention, we can help clients navigate this complex area of law and achieve peace of mind for their loved one’s future.

We represent executors, trustees, and beneficiaries on a wide variety of probate court and litigation matters. We counsel and protect fiduciaries. We also work with beneficiaries to understand and enforce their legal rights.

To help clients with wealth and asset protection, we develop strategies to safeguard their assets from potential risks and threats. Our group can provide guidance on various asset protection techniques, including Ohio Legacy Trusts. With a focus on personalized attention and a deep understanding of wealth preservation strategies, we help clients achieve their goals and protect their assets for future generations.