Caregiving is a daily act of love and logistics. In Ohio, a sudden illness, accident or hospitalization can create immediate questions: Who can pick up your child, consent to care, access funds and keep routines stable? Emergency planning is not about expecting the...
We meet the lifetime legal needs of children and adults with disabilities, the elderly, and their families.
Estate Planning
What Is a Power of Attorney and When Do You Need One?
Most people think estate planning is about deciding what happens after they pass away. While that is certainly an important part of the process, two of the most valuable estate planning documents protect you while you are still living, a Financial Power of Attorney...
Estate Planning for Parents of Children with Disabilities: Protecting Your Child’s Future Without Jeopardizing Benefits
Most parents of children with disabilities spend years focused on therapies, medical appointments, school services, and daily support needs. In the midst of all of that, one important question is often left unanswered: What will happen to my child when I am no longer...
Romance Scams Targeting Older Adults: A Growing Form of Financial Exploitation
At Hickman Lowder, we encounter a wide range of challenges facing older adults and their families. In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in cases involving financial exploitation, which can take many forms. One of the most concerning and increasingly...
Estate Planning Isn’t Just for the Wealthy – Why Every Ohio Adult Should Start Now
At Hickman Lowder, we see estate planning as an act of love and responsibility—a meaningful way to show how much you care about your family’s future. Whether you’re building your first career, raising a family, or preparing for retirement, our attorneys can help you craft a plan that reflects your goals and protects what matters most.
Historic Update for Trustees of Special Needs Trusts
If you are a corporate trustee or a family member or friend serving as trustee, you should be aware of an important policy change taking effect this fall that affects beneficiaries of special needs trusts who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Trustee School: Administering a Special Needs Trust – March 9, 2024
On March 9, 2024, Hickman Lowder held another session of our webinar, Trustee School: Administering a Special Needs Trust. It was hosted by Attorneys Ethan A. Welch, George O. Aljoe, and Helen L. Rapp. A recording of this presentation is now available for viewing at https://youtu.be/Zf4Dva_HrNM.
What is a durable power of attorney and why do I need one?
People who want an estate plan often focus on what will happen when they die, rather than protecting them while they are alive. People frequently create wills and trusts, but they may be less likely to put together advance medical directives and powers of attorney....
Estate Planning and Special Needs Trusts – March 25, 2023
On March 25, 2023, Hickman Lowder Attorneys Elena A. Lidrbauch and Helen L. Rapp hosted the webinar, Estate Planning and Special Needs Trusts. They discussed general planning considerations and legal documents that are frequently used by families, including different...
Revocable Trust or Irrevocable Trust: What is the Best Option for Me?
Trusts are great tools for you to pass assets to your heirs, whether that be to children, other family members, or charities. However, not all trusts are created equally. Sometimes, we use revocable trusts for one client, while another client established an irrevocable trust. When does it make sense to use a revocable trust compared to an irrevocable trust? A…