Estate Planning

Many in Ohio are aware of the recent groundbreaking Supreme Court decision that legitimized same-sex marriage. As couples across the nation celebrate the ability to join in lawful marriage, they have also received many other benefits associated with married life....

A phenomenon has been observed among the nation’s wealthy, and has begun to be referred to as “estate planning fatigue.” This condition exists when an individual or family grows weary of trying to stay ahead of estate tax changes, and simply throws in the towel and...

Many people in Ohio take a great deal of pride in accomplishing a wide range of tasks of their own. It is possible to save significant amounts on home repairs, car maintenance and many other common needs for those who are willing to roll up their sleeves and put in...

Many Ohio residents take a rather narrow-minded approach when it comes to estate planning. They focus almost exclusively on the creation of wills and trusts, and forget to give thought to the more personal aspects of an estate plan. The result can be an effective...

In the effort to shield assets from excessive taxation both during and after an individual’s life, some in Ohio turn to limited family partnerships. This little-known estate planning tool can give families the flexibility needed to retain control over their...

For many Ohio residents, the primary focus of estate planning is the smooth transfer of wealth to children and grandchildren. While this is an important function of the estate planning process, it is essential to note that not everyone has the same set of needs when...

For many Ohio family businesses, the road to success has been paved with plenty of hard work and perseverance. When considering estate planning options, the primary goal is often to preserve the family business for future generations. While there are a number of ways...

There is a legal hurricane blowing for LGBT couples. Starting with the fall of DOMA in June of 2014, the law surrounding gay and lesbian couples can’t seem to settle. On one hand, we have oral arguments set in the US Supreme Court which, I believe will result in...

This weeks word from the estate planning dictionary is will. What is a will? Do I need one? And what happens with them? Wills are one of the oldest estate planning tools going back to the time of the ancient Greeks. Originally meant for men without children, a will is...

Well, yet another client of mine had a death in his family. We talked about the importance of estate planning but never got around to it. Unfortunately, they are another example to go into my book of cautionary tales. A few years ago, I donated a simple will to a...