Assisting Northeast Ohio Business Owners with Estate/Trust Planning & Preparation
Estate planning and business succession plans aren’t always top of mind, so our team tries to uncomplicate the concepts and processes for you. We weigh your options and get all your paperwork in order so you can have peace of mind in whatever decisions you make.
Estate Planning
Small Business Succession
Estate & Trust Litigation
Will & Trust Contests
Fiduciary Claims
Undue Influence & Elder Abuse
Estate Planning
You know how to effectively run your business, but sometimes, it can be hard to focus your attention outside of your day-to-day work. Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney are critical but tough issues to tackle. We break down the barriers by carefully and effectively understanding your wishes, including who you want to benefit from your estate as well as who will make decisions for you and your family when you can’t. We make sure you’re in charge of all the decisions, not a probate court. By having your backup plan in place, you free up your schedule and avoid having to focus on the “what if”s.
Small Business Succession
We love seeing companies have succession plans in place to make a business a family legacy or to leave a business in the trusted hands of a team member. We go over the pros and cons of different scenarios, openly evaluating your options. Whether it’s the first time you’ve considered who you want to take over once you’re retired or if you’re updating your succession plan after things have changed, we help you gain clarity and solidify your plan. As a team, we’re passionate about seeing small businesses win—for you and for the next person in line.
Estate & Trust Litigation
When it comes to distributing assets outlined within a will or trust, difficult situations can happen…sometimes intentionally. That’s where we come in—working with you to determine if you have claims to pursue. In some cases, assets aren’t distributed properly or fairly, so we analyze the key documents and key players involved to figure out the clearest way forward. Then we aggressively pursue or defend your rights and interests to salvage the actual intent of the estate plan.
Will & Trust Contests
If there’s a part of a will or trust that you disagree with, we can determine together if it’s something to contest. Especially when businesses are involved within wills and trusts, there can be some confusion around how everything is handled. We determine the intent of the documents and where the documents were prepared wrongfully. Then we do what’s necessary to fight for a fair settlement, making sure the right person wins.
Fiduciary Claims
Sometimes the executor or trustee chosen in the estate planning documents doesn’t do their job or takes liberties with the powers they’re given, and beneficiaries don’t receive what’s theirs. Fiduciaries are given many responsibilities, and we make sure they’re held accountable. We take a level-headed approach to any problems that arise and are upfront about the most realistic way to proceed, determining when to dispute, when to push, and when to settle.
Undue Influence & Elder Financial Abuse
You may also have claims against caretakers or family members of an elderly person who is convinced to change their will, disinherit someone, or are financially exploited in another way. We understand cases like this can be emotionally charged, so we ensure we’re available to talk as much as possible, figuring out what’s best for the individual and family in question, and minimizing their stress while enforcing their rights.
