Cleveland Trusts and Estates Lawyer

The proven Cleveland estate lawyers at Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell LLP are experienced in the effective resolution of estate lawsuits and claims as related to family estates and trusts. Cleveland estate attorneys are knowledgeable in all areas of general estate law, including but not limited to instances of estate bankruptcy, living trusts and retirement planning in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Cleveland trusts and estates attorneys have experience representing clients with matters involving:

Decedents Estate
Estate Administration
Estate Bankruptcy
Estate Litigation
Estate Planning
Family Trusts
Fiduciary
Living Trusts
Powers of Attorney
Retirement Planning
Special Needs Trusts
Trusts
Trust Administration
Trust Litigation
Unclaimed Property
Wealth Planning

Experienced Cleveland Trust Attorney

Trusts are estate-planning tools that can replace or supplement wills; as well as help manage property during life. A trust manages the distribution of a person’s property by transferring its benefits and obligations to different people. There are many reasons to create a trust, making this property distribution technique a popular choice for many people when creating an estate plan.

The basics of trust creation are fairly simple. To create a trust, the property owner (called the “trustor,” “grantor,” or “settlor”) transfers legal ownership to a person or institution (called the “trustee”) to manage that property for the benefit of another person (called the “beneficiary”). The trustee often receives compensation for his or her management role. Trusts create a “fiduciary” relationship running from the trustee to the beneficiary, meaning that the trustee must act solely in the best interests of the beneficiary when dealing with the trust property. If a trustee does not live up to this duty, then the trustee is legally accountable to the beneficiary for any damage to his or her interests. The grantor may act as the trustee himself or herself, and retain ownership instead of transferring the property, but he or she still must act in a fiduciary capacity. A grantor may also name him or herself as one of the beneficiaries of the trust. In any trust arrangement, however, the trust cannot become effective until the grantor transfers the property to the trustee.

An experienced Cleveland estate lawyer is professional and knowledgeable in understanding the details, facts, complications, and circumstances that arise in a trusts and estates case.

Trusted Cleveland Estate Law Firm

The Cleveland estate attorneys at Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell LLP are distinguished by a history of successful estate claim recoveries and resolutions. For experienced representation in an estate dispute or if you need help with estate planning, contact the Cleveland estate lawyers at Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell LLP in Ohio.