We offer an initial consultation free of charge for personal injury and wrongful death. 

Personal injury and wrongful death claims are emotional and financially overwhelming for the injured party or the deceased’s family. There are many questions that need to be answered before any settlement is reached or lawsuit is filed.

You do not pay any attorney fees unless we obtain a money settlement for you or a jury verdict awarding money to you. Personal injury and wrongful death cases are contingency fees based upon a percentage of your damages award.

Let us put our experience and skill to work for you, so you can get your life back on track. We can help you get a just reward for your personal injury or wrongful death claims.

We offer an initial consultation free of charge for auto accident cases. 

Few disasters can literally crash in upon your life like an automobile accident. Most victims have no experience in managing such daunting problems and are forced to make life changing decisions under the worst of conditions. Don’t try to do it alone. You need the advice, guidance and advocacy skills of an experienced attorney to stand up for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. You owe it to yourself and your family.

When a loved one dies, their family is left with the daunting talk of gathering their assets to distribute them in accordance with Ohio law, their will, or their trust. We will explain the process from start to finish and walk you through each step, making the process manageable for any executor or trustee with no probate or trust experience. Many people believe probate and trust administration will take years. We will work with you to complete the process in a timely and efficient manner, usually within months.

We create individualized estate and trust plans for clients to ensure that property passes to the next generation in the manner and in the time period that they want it to. We are happy to work with your accountant and investment adviser to ensure that all of your assets are covered and that your estate plan has the most beneficial tax consequences. We also work with an independent Medicaid attorney for Medicaid planning and applications through our office.

In addition, we handle adoptions and guardianship through the Probate Court.

We handle real estate sales from contract through closing and everything in between, ensuring a timely closing.

We prepare:

• Deeds

• Affidavits

• Leases

• Option Contracts

We perform title searches and handle civil cases such as quiet title/adverse possession cases and other types of real estate law. We are happy to work with your accountant to ensure the best tax outcome for your sale or transfer.

We are licensed title insurance agents and bonded escrow agents. We can handle closings from start to finish through our wholly owned title company Homestead Land Title Agency, LLC. We have spacious and comfortable conference rooms and facilities to handle your real estate closing quickly and professionally.

It is no secret that some of the most difficult discussions families must have relate to the finances and succession planning of their farm or business. At HGS, we know succession planning and have helped countless families transition their estate to the next generation. Regardless of the size of your estate or the nature of your farm or business, we can help you transition and plan for your family.

Asset Planning:

• We can help avoid costly probate fees and save your loved ones both time and money.

• We have the means to set up comprehensive trust planning, where necessary, to provide timely distribution of assets for your beneficiaries.

• We provide Medicaid planning for future long-term care.

• We can prepare your financial and healthcare documents, appointing those you trust to make important decisions on your behalf.

Comprehensive Farm Planning:

• We are experienced in providing for the transfer of farm assets to the next generation.

• We have plans to provide for structured buyouts that allow for family members to transition in and out of farm ownership and control.

• We can provide methods for providing support for both non-involved children and for those involved in the day to day operations of the farm/business.

• We work with your financial professionals to set-up gifting plans which avoid costly gains taxes and allow you to take advantage of gift tax exemptions to the fullest.

• We are knowledgeable in a variety of planning techniques to make sure farm assets stay in the family.

HGS attorneys work closely with local business owners, accounts and financial advisors to best serve their clients, whether they are starting a new business, expanding, transitioning to new owners or the next generation, or wrapping up an existing company or corporation. Our attorneys can guide you through the benefits of a partnership, limited liability company or corporation and work with your account to determine the structure that best serves your needs, both financially and in terms of liability.

We also offer a yearly corporate minutes program to ensure that you comply with Ohio’s statutory requirements, keeping you in compliance with Ohio law and reducing risk in case of litigation.

Medicaid issues can be complicated. Emily can work with you and your family to explain how Medicaid planning could benefit you and what options you have to preserve assets should you require nursing care in the future. She will educate you regarding how your assets can be protected, including the effect of the 5 year look back period on your planning options.

Let the attorneys at Howell, Gast-Schlater & Co. help you make sense of it with ease.

Emily has worked with local families for a decade in completing Medicaid applications for community members who require at-home, assisted living, and nursing home care while preserving as many assets as possible for family members remaining at home. She works with families on Medicaid qualified annuities and spend downs, and she can provide guidance in the application process or complete the process for you.