Top 10 Estate Planning Attorneys in Cleveland
Did you know that up to 25% of Americans don’t have an estate plan? It’s true! With over 456,671 older adults living in Cleveland, we’d have to imagine that quite a few Clevelanders probably need to start their estate planning ASAP. But let’s face it: estate planning isn’t easy. Every state has different laws and regulations, and if you don’t do estate planning by the book, you might be dooming your loved ones to months and months of probate court. Yikes!
Fortunately, that’s exactly why estate planning attorneys exist! These legal professionals can help you figure out everything from writing a will to setting up a trust. So, without further ado, here are our picks for the top 10 BEST estate planning in Cleveland…and all the reasons why they received the Senior Resource stamp of approval!
Baron Law, LLC
Do you need someone to help you with long-term care planning? Or appoint a power of attorney? Or update your will to include all the changes that have happened in your life since you wrote it in 2002? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, then don’t hesitate to contact Baron Law! And while they can help you with pretty much anything related to estate planning, they can also help you with any small business needs you might have, too!
Highlights:
- 60+ years of legal experience
- Online client portal
- FREE consultation
What others are saying:
Not only did the Baron law firm win the “Avvo Clients’ Choice” award in the Estate Planning Category in 2017, but Mr. Baron himself was recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for his work as an elder law attorney!
Bradley Hull IV Esquire LLC
Have you ever heard of an attorney making house calls? Well, now you have, since Mr. Hull offers exactly that! He also offers other estate planning services, including Medicaid planning, guardianship, and probate administration. But it doesn’t end there! Mr. Hull can also help you if you need to set up a small business or maybe sue that person who sold you your house without informing you that the basement turns into a swamp every time it rains.
Highlights:
- An experienced attorney who was born and raised in Ohio
- FREE initial consultation
- Flexible scheduling!
What others are saying:
A 5-star Google review states the following: “Brad was instrumental in helping us during a trying time. He assisted us with a variety of family law [counsel] after an unexpected death. His advice gave us confidence on how to handle the matter for us, and the surviving children involved. I would not hesitate to recommend Brad to anyone going forward.” Mr. Hull also made the Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for nine consecutive years!
Brenden Kelley Law
To say that Brenden Kelley does―or rather, practices―it all wouldn’t be hyperbole! Not only does he handle estate planning, but he can also help you with your small business, real estate taxes, and even litigation! If you don’t live in the Cleveland area, don’t worry. Mr. Kelley also services clients in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. He can even handle your case remotely!
Highlights:
- Online bill pay
- Remote services
- Accredited through the Better Business Bureau, with an A+ rating
What others are saying:
Brenden Kelley was named “2022 Litigation Lawyer of the Year” by the Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards! His firm also holds a perfect 5-star rating on Google, where one user called him “the absolute best.”
Carson Law Firm LLC
Like Mr. Kelley, Christian Carson practices it all! But when it comes to estate planning, he wants to help you avoid all the mistakes that might just land your assets in probate court. Plus, after you sit down with Mr. Carson and create an estate plan, he’ll review and update it as often (and as drastically) as needed!
Highlights:
- Member of the Ohio State Bar Association
- FREE consultation
- Tons of resources available on the website
What others are saying:
Carson Law Firm holds a 4.9-star rating on Google, where it has over 240 reviews!
Jeffrey S. Berenholz, LLC
Mr. Berenholz is so passionate about estate planning that he offers a FREE book full of estate planning tips, which you can download HERE! Plus, he makes it easy to book your first consultation, with an online calendar where you can select the date and time you’d like to meet with him! Oh, and did we mention that Mr. Berenholz also has a monthly newsletter all about estate planning? (You can subscribe to that here!)
Highlights:
- 25+ years of experience
- Tons of free resources available on his website
What others are saying:
One client very simply stated in their Google review: “Wonderful experience! Would reccomend!”
Law Office of K. E. Whisenant, LLC
Your estate planning journey with K.E. Whisenant starts the second you visit her website! All you need to do is select a legal service, answer a series of questions, and then provide Mrs. Whisenant with your contact information! It’s truly that simple!
Highlights:
- Accredited through the Better Business Bureau, with an A+ rating
- 14+ years of experience (per Avvo)
What others are saying:
Mrs. Whisenant is rated 5 out of 5 perfect stars on Avvo! One Google reviewer also wrote: “K. E. Whisenant is a very kind and compassionate lawyer. She is very knowledgeable and her focus is on helping her clients. I would highly recommend her.”
Max W. Thomas, LLC
As Mr. Thomas states on his website, there is no cookie-cutter approach to estate planning. To that end, he’s ready to use his decades of experience to create the perfect estate plan for you and your family! And while estate planning is the primary focus of his practice, he can also help you with other legal matters, like business litigation!
Highlights:
- Named a SuperLawyer Rising Star in 2010 and 2012
- Member of the Akron Bar Association
What others are saying:
One 5-star Google review reads: “Max quickly and efficiently helped me find some desperately needed clarity on one of the most stressful situations I have ever personally faced. Max is a smart, thoughtful and articulate attorney. I highly recommend him and I would not hesitate to use his legal services again. Although I hope I do not have to! Thank you so much Max.”
N.P. Weiss Law
If you’re looking for a larger firm that can help with more than just estate planning, then N.P. Weiss Law might be the perfect fit for you! But let’s focus on estate planning for a moment. Not only does this firm offer all the standard estate planning services―writing a will, setting up a trust―but they also can help you set up a trust for your pet! That way, you don’t have to worry about what will happen to your fur baby after you pass away. You can appoint a caregiver and even set aside funds to make sure your pet gets the best possible care, long after you’re gone! (Be sure to check out their Pawsupport Team to see all the adorable four-legged staff members at N.P. Weiss Law!)
Highlights:
- Bigger firm with multiple practice areas
- Active on Facebook
What others are saying:
Mr. Weiss holds a perfect 10-star rating on Justia! The firm itself holds a 4.9-star rating on Google, where reviewers praised their professionalism, responsiveness, and active listening skills!
The Perla Law Firm
As a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Mrs. Perla knows a thing or two about estate planning! She can help you with pretty much anything related to that topic, like writing a will or appointing a power of attorney. Her services even extend to funeral planning! So, if you’d prefer to be embalmed instead of cremated (or vice versa), she’ll write a document that can make that happen.
Highlights:
- Upfront pricing
- Free quarterly newsletter and guides (which you can download HERE)
What others are saying:
One 5-star Google review reads: “My sister recommended Elizabeth Perla to us. We found her to be extremely organized, very pleasant. She provided clear explanations and suggestions for our complicated situation. The firm’s staff was great. The online guides were a help in advance of our meeting.”
Rhodium Law, LLC
Guess what? Rhodium Law is a virtual law firm. Translation: They can help you, no matter where you live in Ohio! This is also a faith-based law firm, so if you’re a believer and want to work with a lawyer who shares your values, then you might want to schedule your first consultation with Mr. Goodwin!
Highlights:
- Has the Rhodium Legacy Club, which unlocks perks like annual reviews and a monthly newsletter!
- Virtual consultations
What others are saying:
“Attorney Goodwin is a gem,” begins one 5-star Google review. “He helped with many questions me and my sister had and explained why estate planning is so important. He was very knowledgeable and cared about me and my sister’s concerns throughout the entire process.” Another reviewer wrote: “Very professional and intelligent individual! You can’t go wrong with Andrew.” Rhodium Law holds a 4.9-star rating on Google!
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Originally published August 28, 2024
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