Estate Planning Lawyer in Cleveland

Proper planning of an estate can have many benefits, including mitigating estate taxes, ensuring that your wishes are carried out after your death, privacy gained by bypassing the estate process in open court, and peace of mind for both you and your heirs in knowing that your affairs are in order and will not cause undue stress after your passing. Proper estate plans include:

• Appointing a health care agent: A durable power of attorney will permit your chosen surrogate to make healthcare decisions for you when you are unable to do so.
• Appointing a financial agent: This person, through a financial durable power of attorney, Will be empowered to take care of your finances should you be incapacitated or otherwise unable to do so.
• A full accounting of your personal property: Tangible Personal Property,  Stocks and Bonds, Commodities and Options, Accounts at Banks and Other Financial Institutions, Entity or business interests, Insurance and Annuities, Estates, Trusts, and Other Beneficial Interests, Claims and Litigation, Personal and Family Assets, Benefits from Governmental Programs or Civil or Military Service, Retirement Plans, Taxes and Digital Assets.
• Naming beneficiaries: This includes identifying heirs in your Will as well as naming beneficiaries for accounts that are Payable on Death, Transferable on Death or will otherwise bypass the probate process.
• Creating or Updating Last Will and Testament: This may specify who you wish to name as executor of your estate, as well as what you wish to leave to each of your heirs. It may also include information about any restrictions or exclusions, although these are legally complex and should also be handled in consultation with an experienced estate planning attorney in Cleveland.
• Securing your documents: Such planning does no good if your documents are lost, destroyed, outdated or cannot be found. Make a plan for securing your documents and notifying your heirs or where they are located. This may include your estate planning attorney.

Using Trusts in Ohio Estate Planning

Trusts are among the most commonly overlooked tools in estate planning. Often, people think trusts are unnecessarily complicated, or are only used by the wealthy. Neither of these misconceptions is true. The reality is that a trust can vastly simplify your estate distribution, and even allow you and your heirs to bypass the probate court process. The most common is a revocable living trust. This trust creates an entity to which the principal can transfer ownership of assets. The principal is allowed to manage the trust and benefit from the assets until his or her death. Like a Last Will and Testament, a trust will specify the beneficiaries and describe the assets that each will inherit. However, a trust will not go through the probate process. This permits the estate to be distributed to the beneficiaries immediately and without the supervision of the court. There are many other types of trusts you can discuss with your estate lawyer, including irrevocable trusts and special needs trusts, which can provide for a child or adult with special needs without disqualifying them from vital support services, such as government income and health insurance. The Law Offices of Daniel McGowan, LLC, represents clients in probate and estate matters throughout the Cleveland area, including Lakewood, Rocky River, Fairview Park, Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, South Euclid, East Cleveland, Linndale, Brooklyn, Parma, Brook Park. Newburgh Heights, Cuyahoga Heights, Brooklyn Heights, Warrensville Heights, Maple Heights, Garfield Heights, Bratenahl and Euclid.   

Common Estate Planning Mistakes — and How We Help You Avoid Them

Many families think estate planning is only for the wealthy or that a simple will is enough. In practice, small oversights can create big problems — long probate delays, family disputes, or unintended tax consequences. At the Law Offices of Daniel McGowan, LLC, we focus on practical, Ohio-specific solutions that prevent costly mistakes before they happen.

• Failing to update beneficiary designations: Life changes — marriage, divorce, births, deaths — can make old beneficiary forms outdated. We review retirement accounts, life insurance, and TOD/POD designations to make sure they match your current intent.
• Relying on DIY documents: Generic forms often miss Ohio statutory requirements or create ambiguities. We draft clear, legally sound documents tailored to your situation so your plan holds up in court if necessary.
• Neglecting incapacity planning: Powers of attorney and health care directives are just as important as a will. We prepare durable powers of attorney, advance directives, and HIPAA authorizations so your finances and medical care are protected if you cannot speak for yourself.
• Overlooking tax and long-term care considerations: Proper planning can reduce estate administration costs and protect assets from nursing-home expenses. We explain practical strategies available under Ohio law and coordinate with tax or financial advisors when needed.
• Missing family dynamics and special needs: Blended families, minor children, or beneficiaries with special needs require customized solutions such as guardian nominations and supplemental needs trusts. We design plans that protect your loved ones and minimize future conflicts.

Our goal is to give you confidence that your wishes will be honored and your family protected. During an initial consultation, we’ll identify vulnerabilities in your current plan and propose clear, prioritized steps — from simple updates to comprehensive trust-based strategies.

Contact us or call our Cleveland office to schedule a review — it’s the easiest way to discover and close gaps before they become problems.

Personalized Estate Strategies for Every Stage of Life

Whether you’re just starting a family, approaching retirement, or managing a blended household, one-size-fits-all documents won’t protect your loved ones or your legacy. At the Law Offices of Daniel McGowan, LLC, we build tailored estate plans that reflect your priorities — from minimizing probate and taxes to preserving assets for future generations and ensuring your healthcare wishes are honored.

• Young families: Guardianship provisions, durable powers of attorney, and trusts to protect minor children.
• Growing wealth: Advanced trust strategies, asset protection, and charitable giving plans.
• Seniors and long-term care planning: Medicaid planning, VA benefits guidance, and durable health directives to protect assets and care choices.
• Business owners: Succession planning to keep your business running smoothly and transfer value to heirs.

How We Work with Cleveland Clients (Clear, Compassionate, Local)

We know Cleveland families want practical answers and an easy process. Our approach is straightforward:

1. Listen: We start with a detailed conversation about your family, finances, and goals.
2. Design: We craft a plan using Ohio-specific tools (wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives) to meet your objectives.
3. Explain: We walk you through each document so you understand how it works and why it matters.
4. Update: Life changes — marriages, births, divorces, retirement — so we make updates easy and routine.

Choosing local counsel in Cleveland (44113 and surrounding neighborhoods) means you get a firm that understands Ohio law and how local courts handle estates. We pride ourselves on personal attention, responsive communication, and clear pricing so there are no surprises.

Get Started — Protect What Matters

If you’d like a practical review of your current plan or a custom estate strategy, schedule a consultation. We’ll identify gaps, prioritize actions, and give you a clear roadmap to protect your family and assets.

Call (216) 616-7592 today for a confidential consultation.

Additional Information in Cleveland, Ohio

• Choosing a Health Care Proxy: Provides detailed guidance on selecting a healthcare proxy, including considerations and steps to ensure your healthcare wishes are followed.
• Internal Revenue Service - Estate Tax: Provides information on federal estate taxes, including exemptions and filing requirements, which is important for estate planning.
• Ohio Bar Association - Estate Planning and Digital Assets: Offers guidance on managing and protecting digital assets in estate planning, including social media accounts, digital currencies, and online financial accounts.