Estate Planning in Shaker Heights, Ohio
Planning for the future can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. At Solace Estate Planning, we help families and individuals design clear, legally sound plans that protect what they’ve built and make life easier for the people they love. Our work includes Wills and Trusts, Probate Avoidance, and Asset Protection — all crafted to honor your wishes, minimize court involvement, and preserve your legacy with clarity and confidence.
What Estate Planning Really Does
There are three critical questions every adult should be able to answer:
1
Who will have control if you can’t act for yourself? Who can make medical and financial decisions on your behalf — without delays, cost, or court involvement?
2
Who will control how your assets are passed on — you or the probate court? Will what you’ve built stay private and on your terms, or will the court decide through the public probate process?
3
How can you keep control of your legacy and protect it from future risks? Can your plan shield your home, savings, and inheritance from long-term care costs, lawsuits, or other threats?
Even if you have loved ones you trust, they can’t automatically step in to manage your finances or make medical decisions. A good plan gives them both the legal authority to act and clear instructions about your wishes — so they can make decisions with confidence and avoid conflict. Without the right authority and clear guidance, those you choose may be forced into court and left struggling — or even fighting — over critical decisions.
Likewise, deciding how your assets will pass and protecting them from probate and other risks helps your family avoid losing control to the court system — saving time, cost, and stress when it matters most. A thoughtful plan not only names decision-makers but also spells out how and when your legacy should be handled, so your loved ones can stay united and out of court.
At Solace Estate Planning in Shaker Heights, Ohio, we help you keep control of your future, give your family both the authority and the guidance they’ll need, and preserve the legacy you’ve worked hard to build.
The Core Documents
Most families begin with a set of foundational documents that work together to create a clear, effective plan:
- Last Will and Testament – directs how assets are distributed and names guardians for minor children.
- Revocable Living Trust – keeps your estate private, avoids probate, and provides flexibility during your lifetime.
- Financial Power of Attorney – allows someone you trust to manage finances if you’re unable.
- Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will – names who can make medical decisions and outlines your treatment wishes.
- HIPAA Authorization – gives your chosen decision-makers access to medical information when needed.
Each piece is tailored to your life and explained clearly. You’ll know what each document means, when it is used, and how it supports the rest of your plan. We also guide you through the critical step of aligning asset titles and beneficiary designations so your plan works exactly as you intend — protecting your family and your legacy when it matters most.
Wills and Trusts
A Will directs where your assets go and can name guardians for minor children. But a Will alone must go through probate — a public court process that can take months or even years, add significant cost, delay access to assets, and open your family’s private affairs to the public record.
A Revocable Living Trust can help your family avoid probate. You stay in control while you’re well; if you become ill or pass away, your chosen trustee follows your written instructions without court supervision. Together, we’ll design a plan that fits your life, protects your family, and avoids unnecessary court involvement.
Guardianship Planning for Young Families
If you have young children, naming short-term and long-term guardians is one of the most loving and important decisions you can make. We’ll help you think through who shares your values and who can provide day-to-day care if you’re not there. You can also give clear instructions for how funds should support your children’s education, daily living, and important life milestones — so they’re protected and cared for at every stage of life.
Planning for Incapacity
Estate planning isn’t only about what happens after you’re gone — it’s also about protecting yourself and easing the burden on your loved ones if you can’t act. A Financial Power of Attorney lets someone you trust pay bills, manage accounts, and sign forms on your behalf if you’re unable to. Health care documents record your wishes and name someone to speak with doctors.
But simply naming someone isn’t enough. The right plan gives your chosen decision-makers both the legal authority to act and clear instructions about your preferences and limits. Without that guidance, even people you trust may feel uncertain, disagree, or end up in court trying to figure out what you would have wanted.
Putting these tools in place now gives your family the clarity and confidence they’ll need — so they can help you without conflict or court involvement during a crisis.
Asset Protection That Fits Your Life
Protecting what you’ve worked so hard to build is about more than just legal strategy — it’s about peace of mind. Asset protection means creating lawful structures and smart habits to keep your savings, home, and investments safe from unexpected risks. A Revocable Living Trust does not shield your own assets from creditors during your lifetime, so we look at other strategies when needed — from how you title property, to the insurance you carry, to specialized entities and trusts.
For your beneficiaries, we can design trusts that give long-term protection by appointing co-trustees and providing clear instructions on how and when distributions should be made. This helps safeguard inheritances from lawsuits, creditors, and poor financial decisions, while still giving your loved ones flexibility and support.
Practical tools we may discuss include:
- Limited liability companies (LLCs) for rental properties and business interests
- Umbrella liability insurance coordinated with your estate plan
- Clear beneficiary designations and trust terms that safeguard heirs
- Asset Protection Trusts that help shield your savings, home, and investments from lawsuits, creditors, and long-term care costs
We explain each strategy in plain, simple language so you understand the tradeoffs and can choose what fits your comfort level and goals.
Business Owners
Your business may be your most valuable asset — but it’s also one of the most exposed. We help you protect the company you’ve built from outside risks such as lawsuits, creditors, and unexpected liabilities. Using strategies like LLCs, Asset Protection Trusts, and proper titling, we can separate business risk from personal wealth and create a structure that’s easier to transfer or sell when the time is right. The result is a business that’s safer today and a stronger legacy for your family tomorrow.
Real Estate
Your home and other properties are often your family’s most significant assets — and some of the most vulnerable. Simply adding someone to the deed or using transfer-on-death (TOD) designations can unintentionally expose property to lawsuits, creditors, or family conflict. We help you title real estate correctly, coordinate insurance, and use strategies such as trusts or limited liability companies (LLCs) when appropriate. This approach keeps ownership private, avoids probate delays, and helps shield your equity from unnecessary risk — while making sure your property passes smoothly to the right people on your terms.
Special Needs Planning
Planning for a loved one with a disability is one of the most important and caring steps you can take. A Special Needs Trust can preserve eligibility for vital government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid while still allowing you to improve your loved one’s daily life. We explain what the trust can pay for, who manages it, and how to direct gifts or beneficiary designations so funds land safely in the right place.
At Solace Estate Planning, we include a standby Special Needs Trust in every trust-based plan. Even if your child or loved one doesn’t currently receive benefits, this built-in safety net means you’re ready if their needs or circumstances change — for example, if they apply for government benefits or college financial aid later in life. Without the right planning, a well-intentioned gift or inheritance can unexpectedly count as their asset and disqualify them from crucial support such as financial aid or benefits. Having the trust already in place prevents this problem and ensures their resources and opportunities aren’t disrupted when they need them most.
When to Update Your Plan
Life changes — and your estate plan should change with it. A quick review after major life events can keep your documents accurate and prevent surprises later. Even when life is calm, it’s smart to revisit your plan periodically to be sure it still fits your goals.
You should consider an update if you experience:
- Marriage or divorce
- The birth or adoption of a child or grandchild
- Buying or selling a home or business
- Moving into or out of Ohio
- A major health change
We’re here whenever life changes — whether you’re part of our TLC™ Estate Plan Maintenance Program or simply want to schedule a check-in. Our optional TLC program provides ongoing counseling, plan reviews when laws or strategies evolve, and proactive updates to help keep your plan current and minimize costs and stress for your loved ones later. Even if you’re not enrolled, we recommend reviewing your plan every three to five years (or sooner if something significant happens).
If it’s been a while since you last reviewed your plan, we can help you be sure it still works the way you intend — when you’re ready, book your initial call below.
How Our Process Feels
Our process is calm, clear, and judgment-free. First, we listen — learning about your family, your assets, and your goals. Then we design a plan tailored to you and walk you through every choice in plain language, so you feel confident and in control.
We handle the details — drafting, signing, and notarizing your documents. We help you fund your trust and give you a clear roadmap for adding future accounts or assets. And when life changes, we’re here to adjust your plan so it continues to fit your needs and protect the people you love.
Ensure Your Loved Ones Have
Immediate Access to Funds
A thoughtful estate plan protects your assets and ensures your wishes are honored — but without immediate access to cash, your family may still face unexpected financial strain in the days following your passing. The Beneficiary Liquidity Plan (BLP) offers a seamless solution, providing your loved ones with critical funds within 24–48 hours — without waiting on probate or even a death certificate.
By including a BLP in your estate plan, you can remove financial delays, ease stress during an already difficult time, and give your family the security they need right away.
Estate Planning for Peace of Mind
You don’t need perfect answers to begin — you just need a guide who listens and understands. If you’re ready to protect your family, simplify decisions, and keep things private and kind for the people you love, we’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.
Book an Initial Call
Schedule your free consultation today and let’s create a plan that gives you peace of mind — and keeps you in control.