Overview

We are a team. In moments of high pressure or high intensity, we have the resources needed to effectively power your case. Our team has a very deep background in estate litigation matters.

Reminger’s Estates, Trusts, and Probate Litigation Practice Group understands the emotional issues surrounding contested estates, having represented clients on both sides of these controversies for decades. We pride ourselves on our ability to analyze, evaluate, and solve complex substantive problems on behalf of fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and third-party claimants in contested matters. 

Our overarching goal is to help parties come to an amicable resolution; however, if one cannot be achieved, we are prepared and have extensive experience in the trial and appellate arenas.

Probate Litigation Attorneys

Our estate dispute attorneys prosecute and defend cases before mediators, arbitrators, magistrates, judges, and juries throughout Ohio.  We handle a variety of issues surrounding estate and trust litigation, including: 

  • Will contests, including the prosecution and defense of validity of wills
  • Trust contests
  • Disputes over the meaning of words and clauses as written in Trusts, Wills and other donative instruments, otherwise known as Construction cases.
  • Concealment of asset actions
  • Representation of fiduciaries and beneficiaries in matters of mismanagement of assets and breach of trust
  • Removal or replacement of executors, trustees, or guardians 
  • Contested Guardianship matters including disputes over incompetence determinations, choice of guardian, and removal of guardianship.
  • Investigation of power of attorney abuse and related claims
  • Invalidation of documents due to claims of undue influence, elder exploitation, lack of capacity and incompetence
  • Representation of parties in farm inheritance disputes 

Estate Dispute Lawyers

Our lawyers are thought leaders on the subjects in which we litigate, demonstrated by lectures, articles, the developing of legislation and immeasurable actual/real experience that goes far beyond those who just merely dabble in estate litigation.

Our estate litigation team has had lead roles in decades of appellate decisions affecting and impacting the estate and trust law throughout Ohio. It is not unusual for many of our cases to be cited as precedent in decisions rendered on subsequent cases in which we have been involved. Some of those landmark cases are often cited throughout the courts of Ohio and cover such matters as removal of fiduciaries, construction of donative instruments, probate court jurisdiction, land usage, attorney disqualification, intentional interference with an expectancy of inheritance, legal malpractice/standard of care issues, and fiduciary accountings. 

We can and do consider contingency and fixed fee compensation arrangements as well as traditional hourly rate fee structures.

Estate And Trust Dispute Center of Ohio

Reminger has assembled a large team of attorneys who handle claims relating to the administration of estates and trusts, and the protection of beneficiaries.  We believe in sharing our knowledge with clients and those just interested in learning more, which is why we host an informative blog on estate and trust disputes. To learn more about Reminger’s experience in this specialized area of law, visit Reminger's Estate and Trust Resource Center of Ohio.

Honors & Recognitions

Reminger’s Estates, Trusts, and Probate Litigation Group was ranked by U.S. News - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” as Metropolitan Cleveland Tier 1 for 2023.

Representative Clients

PNC Bank, Farmers Trust Company

Testimonials

"I want to thank you for your help in this lawsuit. You guys are the best trust attorneys I’ve ever met, and I’ve met a lot of attorneys over my 40 years. Thanks so much for helping me in this stressful time."
-Bill, Executive VP and Trust Officer

"Reminger did an outstanding job of guiding me through the resolution of a very difficult trust. From issues regarding the trust’s interpretation, to administering assets in multiple states, to appeasing confrontational beneficiaries, Paul Shugar and Adam Fried were on top of everything. They kept me informed and knowledgeable as to my various decisions as we resolved the issues through litigation and kept the grantors’ intent intact."

“I wanted to express my gratitude for services rendered by Adam Fried during recent settlement of expenses incurred from the late husband’s trust. I appreciate the expedient manner of settlement and the professional behavior of these attorneys. Mr. Fried, through 'quick thinking' on the telephone was even able to recoup funeral expenses from my husband’s estate. I am encouraged and grateful that these two attorneys represented and protected my interests.”

“The lawyering performed and results obtained by Reminger’s Probate Litigation lawyers in having an independent guardian appointed and earning an award of attorney fees was outstanding.”

"I could not have persisted for these three long years without your advice, professionalism, patience, and compassion!  In spite of all the grief, working with all of you at Reminger has been a very positive experience.  You have taught me so much about legal issues, various personalities, and life in general.  Please know how grateful I am."

Results

News

News

Events

  • National College of Probate Judges 2023 Spring Conference, May 9, 2023
  • Mar 27, 2023
  • Mar 20, 2023
  • Mar 15, 2023
  • Feb 21, 2023
  • Akron Bar Association, Feb 17, 2023
  • Columbus Bar Association, Feb 14, 2023
  • Columbus Bar Association, Dec 15, 2022
  • Dec 9, 2022
  • Dec 7, 2022
  • Nov 10, 2022
  • Nov 9, 2022
  • Oct 27, 2022
  • Oct 7, 2022
  • Sep 21, 2022
  • Sep 16, 2022
  • Sep 15, 2022
  • Sep 1, 2022
  • Jun 10, 2022
  • Mar 23, 2022
  • Mar 15, 2022
  • Feb 15, 2022
  • Nov 10, 2021
  • Oct 21, 2021
  • Live Webinar, Sep 23, 2021
  • Sep 17, 2021
  • Aug 18, 2021
  • Jun 18, 2021
  • Jun 17, 2021
  • Jun 8, 2021
  • May 12, 2021
  • Apr 20, 2021
  • Mar 12, 2021
  • Mar 5, 2021
  • Webinar, Feb 16, 2021
  • Webinar, Jan 19, 2021
  • Webinar, Nov 13, 2020
  • Elder Abuse Law Update
    Oct 15, 2020
  • Webinar, Sep 16, 2020
  • Webinar, Sep 15, 2020
  • Webinar, Jun 4, 2020
  • Extrinsic Evidence in Fiduciary Litigation
    Cleveland, OH, Apr 24, 2020
  • The Role of the Probate Court Under the Ohio Trust Code
    Xenia, OH, Oct 18, 2019
  • Maintaining an Ethical Balance in Probate Practice and Litigating the Case in Probate Court
    Cleveland, OH, Oct 11, 2019
  • Probate Procedure and Litigation
    Beachwood, OH, Oct 9, 2019
  • Statutory and Case Law Update
    Columbus, OH, Oct 8, 2019
  • The Ills of Financial Elder Abuse
    Cleveland, OH, Sep 24, 2019
  • What is a Fiduciary to Do? Evolving Roles of Fiduciaries in Family Disputes
    Columbus, OH, Sep 13, 2019
  • Ethical Issues in Probate Proceedings and Introduction to Other Kinds of Probate Litigation
    Westlake, OH, Aug 13, 2019
  • Filing Will Contests, Avoiding Will Contests, and Introduction to Guardianship Proceedings
    Westlake, OH, Aug 13, 2019
  • Probate Process Overview and Probate Assets and Creditor Claims
    Maumee, OH, Jul 15, 2019
  • Probate Litigation and Evidence
    Akron, OH, Jun 21, 2019
  • The Use of Extrinsic Evidence in Will and Trust Construction Cases
    Sandusky, OH, Jun 11, 2019
  • Ethics and Professionalism
    Cleveland, OH, Feb 13, 2019
  • The Intelligent Case Evaluation in Light of New Trends in Probate Litigation
    Lorain, OH, Nov 9, 2018
  • Independence, OH, Sep 27, 2018
  • Issues and Trends in Fiduciary Litigation from the Perspectives of the Planner and Litigator
    Cleveland, OH, Sep 18, 2018
  • Intelligent Evaluation of Probate and Trust Controversies in Light of New Trends in Probate Litigation
    Columbus, OH, Sep 14, 2018
  • Fiduciary Exception to the Attorney Client Privilege
    Cleveland, OH, Jun 26, 2018
  • Trustees Beware: The Fiduciary Exception to the Attorney Client Privilege and the Duty of Impartiality
    Cleveland, OH, Jun 6, 2018
  • Adding Injury to Insult: Planning and Litigating No Contest Provisions in Wills and Trusts
    Columbus, OH, May 16, 2018
  • Don’t Text and Unduly Influence: An Overview of How to Use Electronic Discovery in Probate Litigation
    Cleveland, OH, May 15, 2018
  • Erosion of Attorney-Client Privilege: Fiduciary Exception  
    Dayton, OH, Mar 9, 2018
  • Trust and Probate Challenges: Minimizing and Litigating Claims of Undue Influence, Fraud, Capacity and Mistakes
    CLE Webinar, Jan 17, 2018
  • CLE Webinar, Jan 17, 2018
  • Webinar, Dec 13, 2017
  • Denver, CO, Oct 26, 2017
  • The Insidious Operation of Adult Financial Exploitation: Lessons From the Case Involving the Exploitation of Dr. Charles Sifford
    Cleveland, OH, Jun 6, 2017
  • Common Issues to Be Prepared for in Probate Litigation
    Cleveland, OH, May 19, 2017
  • Guardianship and Power of Attorney Litigation
    Cleveland, OH, Mar 10, 2017
  • Issues of Elder Law Abuse and Ethical Considerations When Representing Client with Diminished Capacity
    Cleveland, OH, Mar 10, 2017
  • Cleveland, OH, Dec 9, 2016
  • The Prevention and/or Prosecution of Undue Influence Cases in Adult Exploitation Matters
    Lorain, OH, Nov 11, 2016
  • Capacity and Undo Influence in Wills and Estate Planning Effecting Charitable Institutions
    Dayton, OH, Oct 28, 2016
  • Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Road, Warrensville Heights, OH, Jun 10, 2016
  • The Employer and Employee Estate Planning Benefits
    Budenheim USA, Inc., Columbus, OH, Oct 28, 2015
  • Litigating Estate, Probate and Trust Contests
    National Business Institute CLE, Cleveland, OH, Oct 7, 2015
  • Litigating Estate, Probate and Trust Issues
    Akron Bar Association CLE, Akron, OH, Sep 24, 2015
  • Fiduciary Litigation
    Stark County Bar Assn. Estate Planning & Litigation Symposium, Canton, OH, May 28, 2015
  • Probate Jurisdiction and Intentional Interference of Expectancy of Inheritance Claims
    Ohio Association of Magistrates Spring Conference, Columbus, OH, May 1, 2015
  • The Probate Process from Start to Finish
    National Business Institute CLE Litigating Probate Cases, Youngstown, OH, Dec 16, 2014
  • Complexity of Probate Jurisdiction and Interrelationship with General Jurisdiction Division.
    Pliskin Advanced Probate Seminar - Columbus, OH, Sep 19, 2014
  • Primer on Trust Litigation
    PNC Bank Asset Management Group - Philadelphia, PA, Aug 14, 2014
  • Preventing ElderAbuse and Signs to Watch
    Cuyahoga County Division of Senior & Adult Services Panel Discussion - Cleveland, OH, Jun 30, 2014
  • Preventing Elder Abuse and Signs to Look For
    Cuyahoga County Senior and Adult Services Agency & Cuyahoga County Probate Court, Cleveland, OH, Jun 30, 2014
  • Understanding Competence to Minimize Risk of Financial Exploitation and Other Elder Abuse, Ohio Coalition for Adult Protective Services Annual Conference
    Columbus, OH, Mar 14, 2014
  • Jan 10, 2014
  • Litigating the Probate Case from Start to Finish
    National Business Institute CLE-Cleveland, OH, Dec 17, 2013
  • Fiduciary Litigation Update
    Web Credenza Broadcast - New York, NY, Dec 3, 2013
  • The Ohio Trust Code: Flexibility and Protection
    Cleveland Marshall Law Alumni Association Estate Planning/Elder Law CLE - Cleveland, OH, Oct 12, 2013
  • Differing Answers to Questions on Beneficiary Rights and Trustee’s Reporting
    Ohio State Bar Association Estate Planning Institute - Columbus, OH, Sep 25, 2013
  • Ethical Obligations When Representing a Fiduciary
    Ohio State Bar Association Guardianship Seminar - Cleveland, OH, Sep 19, 2013
  • Financial Exploitation of the Elderly
    Consortium Against Aging Abuse Conference - Cleveland, OH, Jun 14, 2013
  • Litigation in Probate Court Presentation
    Cleveland Association of Civil Trial Attorneys - Cleveland, OH, Apr 3, 2013
  • Elder Exploitation and Multi-Disciplinary Approaches and Awareness
    Ohio Coalition for Adult Protective Services - Columbus, OH, Mar 25, 2013
  • Annual Estate Planning and Probate Update
    Lorain County Bar Association CLE - Elyria, OH, Nov 15, 2012
  • Claims of Undue Influence – A Melding Legal and Psychiatric Issues in Estate Planning and Probate Litigation
    American Academy of Psychiatry and Law Annual Meeting - Montreal, Quebec - Canada, Oct 29, 2012
  • Issues of Undue Influence, Non-Judicial Tools Available to Address Exploitation and Judicial Remedies
    Annual Montefiore Foundation Professional Advisor Seminar - Cleveland, OH, Oct 25, 2012
  • An Overview of a Probate Lawyers Profession
    Cleveland Marshall College of Law Estates and Trusts Department - Cleveland, OH, Oct 19, 2012
  • Unusual Probate Jurisdiction: Creditor Bills and the Involuntary Treatment for Alcohol and Substance Abuse
    Ohio Association of Magistrates Fall Meeting - Columbus, OH, Oct 10, 2012
  • Estate Planning Update- - Ethical and Professional Behavior
    Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Assn CLE - Cleveland, OH, Sep 18, 2012
  • Avoiding Probate Litigation
    Boy Scouts of America Annual Estate Planning Seminar - Cleveland, OH, Sep 12, 2012
  • The Nuts and Bolts of Probate Litigation and Will Contest Actions
    Jewish Federation Annual Tax Seminar - Cleveland, OH, Jun 7, 2012
  • Best Practices and Duties of Trustees Fulfilling their Charge
    The Ohio State Bar Association Annual Convention - Columbus, OH, May 7, 2012
  • Elder Exploitation and Attorney’s Responsibility to the Client
    Dayton Bar Association Annual Estate Planning Probate & Trust Law Seminar - Dayton, OH, Mar 9, 2012
  • The Law of Ohio Probate Court Jurisdiction Over Guardianships and the Impact of H.B. 27
    Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Assn. - Cleveland, OH, Feb 21, 2012
  • Cincinnati Bar Association-Cincinnati, OH, Feb 10, 2012
  • Legal Principles Behind Undue Influence and What Attorneys Look - Midwest Section of American Academy of Forensic Psychiatrists and the Law
    Cleveland, OH, Mar 25, 2011
  • Will Contests - Gilbride Insurance Consultants CLE Seminar
    Independence, OH, Nov 11, 2010
  • Ohio Trust Code and Current Trends in Probate and Trust Litigation - Gilbride Insurance Consultants CLE Seminar
    Independence, OH, Nov 11, 2010
  • Ethical Issues Dealing with Relationships between Attorneys and Clients on subject of Diminished Capacity - Gilbride Insurance Consultants CLE Seminar
    Independence, OH, Nov 11, 2010
  • Issues of Guardianships - Gilbride Insurance Consultants CLE Seminar
    Independence, OH, Nov 11, 2010
  • Opening Statements In Trial - 2010 Trial Advocacy Institute - Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Assn & National Institute Of Trial Advocacy
    Cleveland, OH, Oct 1, 2010
  • Trends In Probate And Trust Litigation - Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association CLE
    Cleveland, OH, Sep 21, 2010
  • Estate Administration, Estate Planning and Estate Disputes - Senior Citizens Day
    Painesville, OH, Sep 16, 2010
  • Guardians vs. Caregivers: Who Is Minding Mom?- Consortium Against Adult Abuse
    Cleveland, OH, Jun 15, 2010
  • Ohio Trust Code Three Years Later- Practical Applications and Issues- Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland 38th Annual Tax Seminar.
    Cleveland, OH, Jun 3, 2010
  • "Adult Adoption and Beneficiary Status, the Current State of Ohio Law"- 2010- American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
    Cleveland,OH, Apr 24, 2010
  • "Developments in Ohio Trust Code and the Codes impact on the Elderly Client"- Cleveland Marshall College of Law Alumni Assn. CLE.
    Cleveland,OH, Mar 13, 2010
  • Estate Planners in Representing Our Senior Citizens
    Dec 15, 2009
  • Concealment of Assets and Guardianships
    Nov 11, 2009
  • Civil Cases in Probate
    Oct 2, 2009
  • Evidence for Probate Magistrates
    Oct 2, 2009
  • Model Rule 1.14 Representation of Persons of Diminished Mental Capacity
    Sep 22, 2009
  • Joint Ownership with Rights of Survivorship "assets"
    Sep 10, 2009
  • Powers of Attorney and Self Dealing (Harmless Heir Statute)
    Jul 30, 2009
  • Resolving Estate, Will and Trust Contests
    May 6, 2009
  • Ethical Issues in Representing a Mentally Impaired Client
    Feb 28, 2009
  • Guardianships (Legal, Financial and Healthcare) Issues
    Feb 24, 2009
  • Ethical Issues in Representing a Mentally Impaired Client
    Feb 24, 2009
  • Ethics in Regard to Probate Trust and Estate Planning, National City Bank and Key Bank Corp. Seminar
    Cleveland, Ohio, Dec 9, 2008
  • Code of Professional Responsibility and Probate Trust and Estate Planning, National City Bank and Key Bank Corp. Seminar
    Cleveland, Ohio, Dec 9, 2008
  • Undue Influence and Gratuitous Transfers, Cleveland Marshall Law Alumni Association Annual Elder Law Seminar
    Cleveland, Ohio, Dec 15, 2007
  • State of Probate Case Law & Statutory Law, Lake County Bar Association Annual Probate Real Estate Seminar
    Mentor, Ohio, Nov 12, 2007
  • Can a private settlement agreement be used to avoid litigation or end litigation?, Marvin R. Pliskin Advanced Probate & Estate Planning Seminar
    Cleveland, Ohio, Sep 14, 2007
  • Common Issues in Probate From a Litigation Perspective, National Business Institute CLE
    Cleveland, Ohio, Jul 9, 2007
  • New Developments Affecting Estate Administration, Cleveland Marshall College of Law CLE
    Cleveland, Ohio, Mar 3, 2007
  • Inventory & Assets and their Litigation Basis, Estate Administration Section-Ohio State Bar Assn.
    Cleveland, Ohio, Feb 23, 2007

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