Top 10 Reasons You Should Have a Trust

As an estate planning attorney in Summit County, Cuyahoga County, Medina County and surrounding areas, we know many reasons why a revocable living trust can be very important. Here are 10 reasons why having a trust can be absolutely critical: (more…)

Probate estate administration is one of our main focus areas at Valente Law, LLC.  As a probate estate lawyer in the greater Cleveland, Ohio, Akron, Ohio areas, we regularly practice in Cuyahoga County Probate Court, Summit County Probate Court, Medina County Probate Court, Lorain County Probate Court, and all surrounding areas.  We have the experience and knowledge to make the probate estate process easier on our clients.

Probate Estate Executor’s Duties and Probate Process

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One of the most common questions we get from new clients who have been named as a Trustee of a Trust, is “what exactly do I need to do to stay in compliance with the terms of the Trust?  Is there a checklist?”  Well, now there is!

For the benefit of our Trustee clients, to answer the question of “what do Trustees need to do?” we have compiled the following checklist and outline for the Trustee to follow: (more…)

On February 23, 2017 Eric Valente of Valente Law co-hosted an estate planning and financial planning event with financial adviser David Trende of Wealth Design Partners, LLC.  Here is a slideshow and a link to the handout materials that were available for the guests.  If you want more information on wills, trusts and estate planning, take a look at our Great Information on Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning. Valente Law hosts events like this quite often, so if you would like to attend a future estate planning and financial planning event, please call or email us today so that we can invite you to our next event!

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Just THINKING about your estate plan is not enough!  We know first hand how easy it is to put off your estate plan, and we are an estate planning law firm that is here to make things easy on you.  First, take a look at our Information on Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning.  Then, contact us to get started on your estate plan (more…)

Trusts are governed by the Ohio Revised Code Title 58, which you can read here: ORC Title 58 – Ohio Trust Code.

Here are the basics on trusts: (more…)

Valente Law counsels clients in the Cleveland and Akron areas who have recently inherited assets or been asked to manage their parents’ assets.  Whether you are getting an inheritance as an heir or will be acting as the successor trustee for a parent that has passed away, Valente Law can help you navigate the technical, legal issues in working with the next generation of heirs by: (more…)

New clients always ask, “what should I think about before our first estate planning meeting” and I always answer by sending this questionnaire. In addition to the below questionnaire take a look at our comprehensive Will, Trust and Estate Planning Lawyer Page.

What follows is my standard estate planning questionnaire that I use for my estate planning clients in Cleveland, Ohio and Akron, Ohio.  As an estate planning attorney, I always appreciate when a client comes prepared and knows what to think about.  Please call Valente Law at (330) 665-5000 to discuss your estate plan!  We offer free initial consultations, so it really is a no lose situation!

Here is a link to the estate planning questionnaire in its entirety with proper formatting:

Estate Planning Questionnaire – Valente Law, LLC – 2017 Update

And here is the estate planning questionnaire in text form: (more…)

There are many types of trusts which are designed to serve many purposes.  Every trust has very unique, specific rules and benefits and each should be carefully reviewed.  In very general terms, some of the most common trusts include the following.

Living trusts are created by the grantor during the grantor’s lifetime. (more…)