Cleveland Elder Law

04/14/2026

Are you a licensed real estate professional interested in learning more about probate and estate planning? We've partnered with Infinity Title Agency to offer a 2 hour, Ohio real estate CE approved course.

Date: Join us Tuesday, April 21st
Time: Lunch at 12pm - Session is from 12:30-2:30pm
Location: The Lake House - 32756 Lake Road, Avon Lake, OH 44012

You must register with the link below - space is limited.

https://api.razicrm.com/widget/form/WrdXRndCrxvSXg5BU7hN

03/02/2026

There are costly gaps in traditional estate planning. While most people have heard of a power of attorney, few know the difference between the various types. For example, have you heard of "hot powers" within the Financial or Durable POA? These give family members the ability to fully protect your assets and to do things like apply for Medicaid on your behalf. What about a Healthcare Power of Attorney? Did you know that in Ohio, a Living Will supersedes the Healthcare POA? And what about a Will? Everyone knows they have one, but if you or a loved one is interested in reducing the risk of long-term care costs, a Will is often insufficient.

Contact us to learn more about the potential gaps in your estate plan.

02/24/2026

We are presenting tomorrow, February 25th at the Bay Village Senior Center for an in person, lunch and learn event!

The topic is -

Trusts 101: Making Trusts Work for You: Protect Your Family From Probate and Preserve Your Assets. If you've ever considered a Trust but aren't sure you need one, or are unsure what kind of Trust will work for you. If you have a Trust but are unsure it still works for you and your family, this seminar is for you.

This event sold out almost immediately - but if you run or manage a senior center, are a financial planner, or a related service provider, and you'd like us to put on a similar event for you - please contact us.

02/21/2026

The biggest difference between traditional Estate Planning and Care-Based Planning is that while traditional planning focuses on transfer of wealth, our care-based planning focuses on continuity of life — aligning documents, assets, and care priorities so they move together as a person’s health changes.

At its heart, care-based planning is not just about protecting what you’ve built; it’s about preserving how you live. It gives families the framework to manage care with confidence, adapt to change without crisis, and carry forward not only a legacy of assets, but a legacy of compassion and stability.

02/12/2026

While the economic consequences of not understanding Medicaid can be catastrophic, so can the mental and physical health of the cared for and caregiver if they aren't receiving the care they need. The top reason people delay getting the proper medical care is that they are afraid of losing their home or having nothing to leave their children. These concerns can be avoided with the proper planning!

The reality is as we age, every one of us needs to consider ”what if I need this?". If you aren't considering this yet, just remember that 57% of Americans turning 65 today will have a disability that could require long-term care. Also, the average cost of long-term care for anyone turning 65 today is $122,400. And fewer than 1/3 of Americans have set aside money to fund long-term care.

Contact us today to learn more about our 'Care-Based Planning' approach to elder law.

02/08/2026

Are you a caregiver dealing with incontinence? Join The Benjamin Rose Institute on aging via Zoom for this informative session on February 19th from 12noon - 1pm. Incontinence can be a frustrating and debilitating problem. Estimated to affect as many as 50% of adults over 60, it can put a strain on independent daily activities and create significant emotional distress. Click below to learn more and get registered.

Please join us for Empower Yourself with Confidence and Control as Barbie Montgomery, OTR/L Certified in Adult Bladder and Urinary Incontinence with Fox Rehabilitation, shares strategies you can use, including exercises and lifestyle changes, to help improve bladder control in the older adult you ca...

01/19/2026

Don’t let the cost of long-term care erode the assets you’ve worked so hard to build. At Cleveland Elder Law, we provide strategic planning to protect your home and assets, ensuring your wealth is passed on to your loved ones. Let’s discuss your options.

01/16/2026

Imagine this: A loved one passes away, and despite having a clear Will in place, a small oversight leads to costly delays and unnecessary stress for the family. This happened in a real case we worked on, and it’s a perfect example of why relying solely on a Will can leave you exposed.

A 68-year-old man passed away, leaving behind a well-crafted Will. However, he overlooked one critical detail: the family home wasn’t titled solely in his wife’s name. This mistake triggered a chain of complications:
* The home, valued at $500,000, wasn’t automatically transferred to his wife, and his four children had to be notified and approve the sale.
* Two children ignored the required paperwork, delaying the sale by 8 weeks and causing the wife to lose a buyer.
* The estate went through probate, costing 2% of its total value in legal and court fees.

This real-life scenario highlights the limitations of a simple will. While a Will is necessary, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Without additional tools like trusts, financial powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, your family could face delays, disputes, and financial burdens.

If you want to avoid these issues and ensure your estate plan covers all the bases, let’s chat about what we can do for you.

01/08/2026

When caring for a loved one in an emergency, having the right legal documents in place can make all the difference. Ensure you have a Healthcare Power of Attorney and Financial Power of Attorney so you can make decisions swiftly. Confirm that HIPAA authorizations are in place as well to ensure access to medical information. Learn more in our blog, The Caregiver's Checklist.

Discovering that a loved one needs long-term care can be overwhelming, especially when a sudden fall or unexpected illness forces quick decisions. From locating assisted living after a skilled rehab stay to vetting in-home service providers, or even moving in temporarily with a parent while care is

01/03/2026

Caring for an aging loved one can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Cleveland Elder Law, we provide holistic elder law support, offering resources and guidance for families and caregivers. Let us lighten the load — contact u

12/31/2025

A will alone isn’t enough to protect your legacy. Here are the key tools that every comprehensive estate plan should include:
* Financial Power of Attorney (FPOA)
* Healthcare Power of Attorney
* Will
* and many families benefit from having an Irrevocable or Revocable Trust

A strong estate plan addresses incapacity, long-term care, family dynamics, and most of all, it should be built to fit your needs. Interested in diving deeper? Read our latest blog post for guidance on these essential tools.

Many people assume that creating a Will means they have everything covered, but a simple will often leaves important questions unanswered. This is especially true for seniors who don’t consider their own potential incapacity, prohibitive long term care costs,  and avoiding family disputes