Estate planning and probate litigation lawyers for Cleveland, Ohio
No one likes talking about death, but everyone wants to ensure that their loved ones are not overwhelmed with legal issues when they die. Some people think they don’t have enough assets to necessitate estate planning, but even a modest estate can be difficult to manage without the proper documents in place.
Estate planning is a very personal legal process that not only affects you, but also your family. At Wuliger & Wuliger we listen, first and foremost, to your unique needs, hopes and aspirations. Then, we execute a framework to ensure that your wishes are followed. We can provide you with an estate planning structure that adapts to the changes in your life and changes in the law over time to protect your assets.
At Wuliger & Wuliger, we believe good planning is key to avoiding disputes down the road, but should you find yourself in a situation where planning has failed, we can help with that, too. Sadly, death can bring out the worst in people, leading to a wide array of litigation. As experienced litigators, we have successfully represented parties on both sides of such probate disputes.
Estate planning and probate litigation legal services
- Wills: The foundation of any estate plan is a last will and testament. You can use your will to state how you would like to distribute your property, whom you would like to serve as the guardian of your minor children, and specify funeral and burial arrangements.
- Trusts: Trusts can provide even more options and flexibility for handling assets, both during your lifetime and after your death. For example, if you have assets that you don’t want disbursed on your death (such as an ongoing business concern), a trust can allow you to preserve those assets and provide for their future management.
- Powers of Attorney & Living Wills: Another key part of an estate plan is making sure your decisions about your own care will be followed (through a living will) or that someone you trust is authorized to make those decisions for you in the event you become incapacitated (through a healthcare power of attorney). A financial power of attorney enables a trusted individual to handle your affairs when you can’t.
- Probate & Trust Administration: A person named in a will as the executor of the estate must file the will in probate court, manage the deceased person’s final affairs, and distribute their property. The rules and procedures governing probate proceedings can be daunting. We can provide representation during this process and make sure all of an executor’s duties are completed correctly. We can also assist with the administration of trusts.
- Probate Litigation: If you are unable to avoid a legal dispute, we can provide representation in probate court on a variety of matters.
– Will contests involve challenges to the validity of a will, such as claims that the deceased was the victim of fraud, duress, or undue influence.
– Trust or estate administration disputes, such as a beneficiary’s claim of improper administration or breach of fiduciary duty by a trustee, executor, estate administrator or guardian.
– Creditor’s claims involve the defense or prosecution of claims of individual creditors or financial institutions against an estate.
– Wrongful death or other tort claims belonging to the deceased may be brought on behalf of an estate.
Our promise to our estate planning and probate litigation clients
You spent your life accumulating assets, and you want to ensure that they are passed down as efficiently as possible, protected from unnecessary taxes, legal fees, probate expenses and costs of litigation.
Wuliger & Wuliger’s personal rapport with our clients allows us to build dynamic estate planning solutions that ensure their wishes are fulfilled and can adapt over time as family and financial situations evolve.