Independence Estate Planning Lawyers

Quality Representation ~ Personalized Service

I am dual certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation, and as a Specialist in Elder Law by the Ohio State Bar Association. I am one of twenty-three attorneys with this dual certification. I devote my practice to those issues uniquely affecting the elderly, the disabled and their families. Having been raised by a parent with early onset Parkinson's Disease, and having witnessed a grandparent spend over sixteen years in a nursing facility suffering from Alzheimer's, I gravitated early in my career towards the practice of elder and disability law. I established my Law...

Allison M. McMeechan received her Juris Doctor degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice Studies from the University of Dayton. Allison's practice areas focus on elder law, life care planning, long term care planning, and special needs planning. Allison has published articles and has spoken in the areas of probate, estate planning, government benefits, and special needs trusts. Her audiences include bar associations, non-profit organizations, and other professional organizations. Allison is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys National and Ohio Chapters, as well as the Ohio State Bar...

Nick Weiss opened his practice after years of practicing civil litigation and in-house counsel experience. A transplant from Maine, he now represents families, individuals, and businesses, throughout northeast Ohio. He is proud to have been AV Preeminent rated by Martindale Hubbell in 2020, and was selected as one of the exclusive Super Lawyers Rising Stars for 2022.

Often, people feel like they need a little extra help, an extra hand to hold during their tough battles in life. That can be especially true when you're dealing with family issues or trying to stay in the country against all odds. That's why I take my responsibilities seriously. Because it's not just a job, its someone's life. And I'm glad I get to hold your hand and win our fight together. I'm licensed to practice law in the state of Ohio. I graduated with honors in both Law and Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati. I handle cases...

Eric Valente, JD, MBA, is an attorney and founding member of Valente Law, LLC. He studied business administrations and earned his MBA while attending law school at the University of Toledo. Eric began his career doing business litigation at J.W. Krueger & Associates, LLC, where he still maintains an office. Eric has always had a creative, entrepreneurial spirit, and estate planning and business counseling provides him with the opportunity to engage these interests while helping clients achieve their goals. Eric's focus areas are estate planning (Wills, Trusts, Healthcare Planning), Probate Administration and Business Law. Eric is a...

Jeff has represented individuals and business entities ranging from sole proprietorships to multi-national corporations.

Jeff held a number of positions as an attorney in both the public and the private sector including positions with small, mid-sized, and large law firms. Jeff’s practice areas cover a wide-ranging spectrum, but he primarily focuses on real estate law, commercial law, business and civil litigation matters.

Jeff was raised in Summit County, Ohio and he and his wife have resided in Strongsville, Ohio since 1992. They have four children and three grandchildren. He is an avid football fan and a...

I was elected in November 2012 and was seated on January 1, 2013. A lifelong resident of the Cuyahoga County area, growing up in Maple Heights until the age of 12, and moving to Lyndhurst where I reside today. I attended public school, graduating from Brush High School in 1975.
I have a daughter, Michelle, and understands how difficult raising a child can be as a single parent.
After Michelle graduated from college, I pursued a degree at Baldwin Wallace University and earned a degree in Human Services while working as a private investigator and a freelance designer in advertising.
I worked as...

I began practicing law in 2002. I spent over 13 years with the Cleveland firm of Gallagher Sharp, primarily as a litigator, before venturing on my own and then landing at The Gertsburg Law Firm in 2017 before choosing to restart my own practice in 2020. Before becoming an attorney, I worked as a financial manager for a small business after earning his MBA. My experience allows me to understands the challenges facing small business owners, allowing me to advise, as well as provide valuable legal information. With over 20 years’ experience in the business and legal worlds, I strive...

With over seventeen years of intensive courtroom experience, Attorney Dyer has the expertise necessary to confidently and effectively represent Northeast Ohio clients in all aspects of family law including, divorce, dissolution, child custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, adoptions, modifications and restraining orders. She served as a Guardian ad Litem for minors in hundreds of cases, advocating for their best interest in custody matters. Attorney Dyer is one of a handful of lawyers certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as a Family Law Specialist. Attorney Dyer strives to meet her clients’ goals in an efficient and cost-effective manner, providing personalized...

Maria strongly believes that every couple and family, both traditional and non-traditional, deserve the same quality legal services and the same legal protections for themselves and their loved ones. Maria specializes in estate planning, probate administration, elder law and legal services for non-traditional families.

The Nickolls Law Firm, LLC is a Northeast Ohio Family Law Firm dedicated to advocating for families and resolving complicated and unique family issues, including divorce, child custody, alimony, property division, child support, prenuptial agreements, guardian ad litem services, mediation services, and post decree litigation.

Erin C. Eurenius is delighted to help seniors, individuals with disabilities, and their families at Butcher Elder Law. Her passion for elder law stems from her personal experiences with her grandmother, Helen. Erin’s grandmother helped to raise her while living with the family. Around the age of 84, Helen was diagnosed with dementia and a few short years later suffered from a stroke. Erin watched the repercussions of not planning ahead for these devastating occurrences in life. Erin went to doctor’s visits and hospital calls at 3:00 A.M. and visited the nursing home. She saw the guardianship and Medicaid process...

Melvyn E. Resnick earned his undergraduate degree in Business and Accounting with honors from Ohio University. He was awarded his law degree from Case Western Reserve School of Law and admitted to the Bar in 1966. Mr. Resnick is a member of the Lake County Bar Association. He is a past president of Tau Epsilon Rho Law Fraternity. He is licensed to practice in all Ohio courts as well as U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, since 1968 and the U.S. Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit. Mr. Resnick's practice emphasizes real estate, commercial litigation, general business, corporate banking, estate...

Howard Rabb concentrates on estate, general business and bankruptcy matters. He regularly advises clients on business, estate and debt strategies. A lifelong Clevelander, he has a “Superb” AVVO rating.

Estate Planning: Howard’s practice involves an analysis of the goals of the client, an understanding of all relevant family relationships, and a comprehensive list of all of the clients assets. After obtaining this information, he will advise his clients as to whether a living trust or testamentary trust makes sense in order to address probate, distribution, or tax concerns. Typically, the estate planning will include wills, health-care power of attorney, living...

Erika provides estate planning counsel to families and assists families in various aspects of elder law, including long term care planning and Medicaid planning. Erika has now translated that global experience into advocating for and counseling individuals and families in Northeast Ohio. Erika received her B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2005 and her J.D. from the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in 2009. She is an active member of the Latvian community, participating in various local and national Latvian social and cultural organizations. She resides locally with her family in Chagrin Falls,...

I'm a recent graduate of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. I passed the bar in July 2021. I focus on Criminal Law, Social Security Disability, and Bankruptcy. I have a passion for criminal justice and making sure that all individuals, regardless of race or socioeconomic status have equal access to justice. I have been working in the area of SSI and SSD for 10 years, including attending many hearings during that time. También hablo español.

Martin Bielat LLC was founded on the idea of providing valuable legal solutions for environmental and real estate issues. The firm, started in 2019 by Martin Bielat, Esq., focuses on two key areas of law – environmental and real estate – but also takes clients in a wide variety of other practice areas like collections, business management, and estate planning.

Nestled in the innovative Cleveland-Marshall Solo Practice Incubator near Playhouse Square, Martin Bielat LLC prides itself on working conjunctively with its clients in order to illuminate the best solution. The firm recognizes that all cases are unique and that sometimes arriving...