Estate & Trust Planning
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A good estate plan is a clear set of instructions, written while everyone still agrees. We help you write yours.
Our private client group works with individuals, married couples, blended families and owners of closely held companies. Some come to us with a simple goal: make sure the house and savings go where they intend. Others need a plan that moves a business, a farm or investment property to the next generation without forcing a sale or starting a family argument.
Planning is personal, so we begin by listening. We learn who depends on you, what you own and how it is titled, and what worries you most. Then we draft documents in plain language, walk you through each one, and schedule a review so the plan changes as your life does.
Capabilities
Estate planning covers more than a will. These are the pieces we put together most often for our private clients.
Core documents that name guardians, direct assets and, with a funded trust, keep your estate out of probate court.
Ask about thisBuy-sell agreements, voting and non-voting interests and gifting strategies that let ownership move gradually and fairly.
Ask about thisFinancial and medical decision makers chosen by you, with instructions they can follow in a hard moment.
Ask about thisStep by step guidance for trustees and executors after a death, from notices to final distributions.
Ask about thisDonor advised funds, charitable trusts and bequests that support causes you care about while fitting your broader plan.
Ask about thisWhy choose us
Families stay with us across generations because we explain everything and never rush a decision.
Plain language documents
Every plan comes with a one page summary you can actually read.
Flat fee planning
Most estate plans are quoted as a single fee before any drafting begins.
Review reminders
We check in every three years, or sooner after a marriage, birth or sale.
Coordinated advisors
We work directly with your financial planner and accountant.
01
Listen first
A relaxed first meeting about your family, your property and what you want to happen. No documents are drafted until this is clear.
Book a meeting02
Draft in plain words
We prepare the plan, then walk through every page with you. Each document comes with a one page summary written for your family.
Contact the team03
Review as life changes
We check in every three years and after big events, so your plan still says what you mean when it matters most.
Meet the partnersPlanning FAQ
Planning questions families ask
Still have a question?
If your situation is not covered here, call the office or send a short note and a partner will reply.
Contact usIt depends on what you own, where it is located and how private you want the process to be. Many families benefit from a funded revocable trust; others are well served by a will and beneficiary designations.
Every three to five years, and after any major change such as a marriage, divorce, birth, move to another state, or the sale of a business.
Ohio law decides who inherits, and a probate court appoints someone to manage the estate. The result may not match what the person would have chosen.
Yes. We guide executors and trustees through notices, inventories, creditor claims, tax filings and final distributions.
Family voices
Families on planning with us
Comments from clients who planned an estate, a succession or both with our private client group.
Illustrative testimonials for this demo.
“Selling the company my father started felt impossible at first. The team kept every deadline in front of us, explained each draft in plain words, and never let a question sit overnight.”
Former owner, distributorL. Brennan“Clear updates, no jargon, and a written plan for every scenario we raised. I always knew what the next step was, who was handling it, and why it mattered to our business.”
Chief financial officerT. OkonkwoStart the plan your family will thank you for
A first planning conversation is free. Bring a list of what you own and who you want to protect, and we will take it from there.