Estate Planning And Wealth Protection For Individuals And Families In Dayton, Ohio
Experienced Counsel to Preserve Wealth, Protect Your Legacy & Plan for the People You Love.
Comprehensive Planning Sophisticated Protection Effective Results
Here’s something most people don’t know:
a surprising number of Americans don’t have an estate plan,
and probate can eat up a portion of everything you’ve saved.
At SS+D Law, we don’t just draft documents, we architect strategies that work.
Every plan is designed and overseen by our partners (not just handed off to junior
associates) to anticipate what’s coming, minimize what you’ll owe, and protect
what matters most across generations.
We help successful individuals, families, and business owners in the Dayton region and beyond.
Protect what you’ve built with trusts and legal structures that shield your assets from creditor claims, such as divorce and lawsuits.
Keep your business running smoothly with succession plans that won’t leave your team or your family scrambling.
Reduce your tax burden by planning ahead for changes in estate and Generation Skipping Transfer Tax.
Give back in a way that lasts through charitable foundations or donor-advised funds.
You receive all the necessary estate plan documents that your family will need to wrap up your estate affairs, including any business interests owned during your lifetime.
A Proven Process, Built for Precision.
A staggering number of adults don’t have an up-to-date will. That means their
assets are vulnerable, either to outdated plans or no plan at all.
We’ve built a process that takes the complexity out of estate planning without
cutting corners. Here’s what it looks like:
- Consult & Clarity — We start with an initial consultation to understand your goals, your assets, and your family.
- Tailored Fee Proposal — We offer hourly and flat fee proposals, designed to your specific circumstances.
- Design & Drafting — We craft your trust, will, and succession documents with the kind of precision and foresight that holds up over time.
- Implementation — You walk out with a single binder that contains everything your family or business will ever need.
- Ongoing Stewardship — Life changes. Laws change. We do annual reviews and updates so your plan stays aligned with both.
At SS+D, You Work Directly With Two Shareholders Who Treat Your Goals as Their Own.
- Partner-Led Expertise — Every plan is personally crafted and reviewed by Josh and Heather.
- Advanced Asset Protection — Trusts built to pass on wealth to family members and withstand claims by potential future creditors and liabilities.
- Business Succession Planning — We help founders transition ownership without losing control or triggering unnecessary taxes.
- Tax-Aware Structuring — Proactive planning for estate and Generation Skipping Transfer Tax changes.
- Proactive Communication — You’ll always reach one of us — no endless transfers or delays.
The Partners Behind the Plan
Heather and Josh bring balance, intellect, and care to every client relationship, and bring precision and analytical rigor to every plan they draft. They have helped countless individuals and families protect what matters most through thoughtful, personalized planning for individuals and families throughout the region.
Together, they bring more than two decades of experience and a shared belief that estate planning should feel empowering — never overwhelming.
Protect What You’ve Built. Preserve What Matters Most.
Start Your PlanningCommon Questions About Estate Planning, Answered by Our Partners
We hear these questions every week. Below are the most common ones, along with guides we’ve written to help you plan with confidence.
What happens if I die without an Estate Plan in Ohio?
If you die without an Estate Plan, the State of Ohio gets to decide where your assets go. You will control how your assets are distributed if you make an Estate Plan. A properly drafted Estate Plan also lets you avoid probate. The probate process can take months, cost thousands, and impose unnecessary stress on your family. An Estate Plan is important because it lets you direct who gets your assets, avoids the hassles of probate, and reduces the overall cost and headache of administering your Estate.
How can I protect my kids’ inheritance from future creditors (i.e.: divorce, debt, civil liability)?
SS+D has the knowledge and expertise to craft sophisticated trust structures that protect the inheritance children and beneficiaries receive from the threat of future creditor claims. When designed correctly, these trusts keep assets safe from divorce settlements, lawsuits, and other creditor claims. Your loved ones get the benefit of their inheritance without the risk of losing it to creditors.
What happens to my business if something happens to me?
Without a succession plan, your business can stall during ownership transitions due to death. SS+D will help you design a plan that keeps operations stable and running smoothly when that time comes.
How do estate tax laws affect my family?
Estate tax laws have changed a lot in the last two decades. SS+D constantly monitors changes to these laws, and the estate tax exemption amounts to determine the tax burdens your Estate may be facing. SS+D can provide a thorough analysis of the potential tax impact you may face at death and offer strategic planning ideas to minimize an estate tax obligation.
How much does probate cost, and can I avoid it?
Probate typically costs 3–7% of your estate’s value in fees and expenses. For a $1 million estate, that’s $30,000–$70,000 that doesn’t go to your family. A well-structured Estate Plan minimizes these expenses and allows your assets to transfer directly to your heirs without going through probate.