Ohio Estate Planning, Probate & Probate Court Litigation Lawyer

Stow Law Firm Serving Clients in Northeast Ohio

At Perduk & Associates Co., L.P.A., we assist clients with all their legal needs relating to estate planning, probate of estates, and probate court litigation. From our office in Stow, we assist clients in Cuyahoga County, Medina County, Portage County, Stark County, Summit County, Wayne County, and surrounding areas.

Estate Planning in Ohio

Estate planning ensures that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after your death. A sound estate plan also includes documents that protect you during your lifetime. In those documents — called durable powers of attorney — you designate to individuals (or financial institutions) to make decisions for you in the event you become incapacitated for any reason.

Having an up-to-date estate plan is important for anyone who owns assets, has a family, or has concerns about who will make decisions if they become incapacitated. Your estate plan protects your family, you, and your assets. Circumstances in which an estate plan is absolutely essential include:

  • You own real estate and other assets
  • You own a business
  • You are married and have a family or are planning a family
  • You are divorced or in a second marriage
  • You have a blended family that includes children of different biological parents
  • You want to decide who will make health care decisions and manage your finances if you become unable to make those decisions yourself

Every estate plan is as unique as the individuals and family it protects. Using "off the rack" or DIY (Do It Yourself) forms puts you and your family at risk. If a DIY document or plan does not meet all the legal requirements, it may be invalid. That fact may not be discovered in time to correct it.

Attorney David Perduk has more than 20 years experience helping businesses, individuals, and families develop estate plans that are tailored to their specific needs and circumstances. Before developing a plan for you, Attorney Perduk will discuss your situation with you in great detail. Then, he suggests the plan that will best accomplish your goals, making sure that all the bases are covered.

Documents in an estate plan vary, depending on the client's situation. At Perduk & Associates, we use many different tools in estate plans, including:

  • Wills
  • Trusts
  • Revocable living trusts
  • Testamentary trusts
  • Charitable trusts
  • Special needs trusts
  • General powers of attorney
  • Durable powers of attorney for health and medical care and finances
  • Living wills for end-of-life decisions
  • Business succession plans
  • HIPAA release authorization form for access to your medical records

Whatever your goals may be, you can count on us to help you realize them — and we never charge a fee for your first consultation.

Ohio Probate and Estate Administration

Losing a loved one is among the most difficult experiences in life. After a family member passes away, the family should be able to focus on bereaving their loved one without worrying about legal matters.

Unfortunately, in many cases, the family needs to address probate or administration of the deceased loved one's estate fairly soon after death. If that happens in your family, Perduk & Associates is here to help. We shoulder as much of the responsibility as possible, while you and your family continue to grieve your loss.

Probate is the legal process that occurs after someone dies, whether or not they had a will. Under Ohio law, small estates may be able to go through a simplified process called release from administration or summary release from probate.

Regardless of the circumstances, the deceased person's assets must be collected, bills must be paid, and assets must be distributed. Either an executor named in a will or an administrator (if there is no executor) is responsible for administering the estate. Enlisting assistance from experienced probate attorney David Perduk makes the whole process much less of a burden on you and your family and ensures that all the legal requirements are satisfied.

Probate Court Litigation

While most estates do not involve asking the probate court to resolve issues or disputes, sometimes it is necessary. Many attorneys who handle estate planning and probate do not handle probate court cases, which are referred to as probate litigation. Attorney David Perduk has more than 20 years trial and litigation experience in Northeast Ohio, including cases involving probate litigation.

Probate court litigation takes many different forms. Regardless of what type of issue you face involving probate court, we can assist. We represent executors and administrators, beneficiaries, heirs, and others involved in estate disputes. At Perduk & Associates, we handle all kinds of probate litigation, including:

  • Will contests
  • Trust contests
  • Inheritance disputes
  • Beneficiary disputes
  • Guardianship proceedings
  • Conservatorship proceedings
  • Power of attorney disputes
  • Fraud of a fiduciary, such as a trustee or agent under a power of attorney

Contact Us for a Free Consultation with an Experienced Northeast Ohio Estate Planning, Probate & Probate Litigation Attorney

We welcome you to contact us about your legal needs relating to estate planning, probate or administration of an estate, or probate court litigation. With more than 20 years of experience, attorney David Perduk has the knowledge and skill to assist you, regardless of the type of issue you face. At Perduk & Associates, we do not charge a fee for your first consultation.

From our office in Stow, we serve clients throughout Northeast Ohio, including Cuyahoga County, Medina County, Portage County, Stark County, Summit County, Wayne County, and surrounding areas. We provide legal services to clients in Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Kent, Medina, Stow, Tallmadge, Wadsworth, Wooster, and other nearby cities and towns.

Call us at 330.688.1072 or use our online contact form to set up your free initial consultation.