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Our attorneys draw upon their diverse backgrounds to provide strategic and creative solutions to complex legal problems. Our diversity includes backgrounds in engineering and business to political science, education, mathematics, insurance and journalism. As trial lawyers, we have nearly 100 years of combined legal experience. We thoroughly analyze each and every detail to craft solid legal strategies that are aimed at results - while remaining well-grounded in the law. Our attention to detail has helped not only to achieve results, but also to shape and define the law. 

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Specialty Trusts In OHIO

A common misconception is that trusts are only for the wealthy. When trusts are used as part of a comprehensive estate plan, trusts can provide many benefits to your family and loved ones whether you are a financially secured retiree or a young family planning for the future.

Why Set Up A Trust?

Some common reasons our clients decide to set up a trust include:

  • Providing for minor children or family members who are inexperienced or unable to handle financial matters
  • Providing for management of personal assets should one become unable to do so
  • Avoiding probate and immediately transferring assets to beneficiaries upon death
  • Reducing estate taxes and providing assets to help pay for taxes
  • Keeping your life private. The terms of a will are public while the terms of a trust are not, so privacy makes a trust an attractive option

In general terms, a trust is a legal agreement that has three parties to it: The grantor who creates the trust, the trustee who manages the property held by the trust as directed in the trust document and the beneficiary who receives the benefits of the assets that are being held by the trust.

The most common type of trust used in estate planning is the revocable living trust. With a revocable living trust, you or you and your spouse (if married) are the grantors, trustees and beneficiaries of the trust during your lifetimes. The fact that the trust is revocable refers to the fact that you can revoke or change the terms of the trust at any time while you are living. Once you are deceased, the trust becomes irrevocable, meaning it can no longer be changed. A successor trustee of your choosing steps in after you are deceased, and administers and distributes the trust assets for the benefit of your children and family as directed in your trust document.

In addition to revocable living trusts, the attorneys at Phillips Law Firm, Inc., have significant experience establishing a variety of other types of trusts, including:

  • Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs): An irrevocable trust that uses life insurance proceeds to avoid estate taxation
  • NFA Gun Trusts: A specially designed revocable trust, which is established for the limited purpose of owning your firearms, with a specific focus on NFA Firearms.
  • Ohio Asset Protection Trusts: A self-settled irrevocable trust that allows an individual to place the transferred property out of the reach of certain creditors, while still being allowed to receive the benefits of the transferred property.

Schedule A Consultation With One Of Our OHIO Attorneys

We would be happy to discuss what kind of trust would be best for you.

For an initial consultation, call 513-985-2500 or submit a contact form to get started.