Elder and Estate Planning Attorney in Sandusky

Since 2002, Brumbaugh Law Firm has offered elder law and estate planning services to Sandusky-area families, helping to protect assets, avoid probate, and plan for long-term care.

We believe learning comes first. Families are invited to join one of our local workshops to understand their options before making decisions about the future. As one client shared, “They go above and beyond to be there to answer any questions and handle everything. Everyone in the office is kind and helpful.”

Our planning process transforms your questions into a clear, fully funded plan that works in practice. This includes revocable and irrevocable trusts, financial and health-care powers of attorney, a living will, HIPAA release, pour-over will, deed work, and a funding table to align your assets.

What Elder Law and Estate Planning Mean for Families in Sandusky

Elder law and estate planning are two areas of law that work together to help families prepare for the future.

Estate planning focuses on protecting and passing on what you’ve built. Through wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, your loved ones can have clear guidance when it matters most. It can also include long-term care planning and strategies to protect valuable assets, such as a family home near Lake Erie or a local business downtown.

Elder law goes a step further by addressing the legal and financial challenges that often come with aging. This includes handling Medicaid eligibility, planning for nursing home costs, or putting legal documents in place to make sure your health care choices are respected at facilities such as Firelands Regional Medical Center.

Elder law attorneys also provide guidance with probate matters at the Erie County Courthouse, helping families resolve estates with less stress and confusion.

For Sandusky residents, these services provide peace of mind. Whether you’re preserving a cottage by Cedar Point, protecting retirement savings, or handling care for a loved one, elder law and estate planning make sure your wishes are honored and your legacy is secure.

Our Elder and Estate Planning Services

At Brumbaugh Law Firm, we design plans that protect families today and stand strong in the future. Our core services include:

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For straightforward legal advice and representation, contact Brumbaugh Law. Call (419) 504-4674 to schedule your consultation.

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Why Work With Brumbaugh for Your Legal Elder and Estate Needs

Choosing an elder and estate planning attorney is about trust, guidance, and knowing your family will be supported when it matters most. Families in Sandusky choose Brumbaugh Law Firm because:

Education comes first. We invite you to attend a workshop so you can understand your options before you commit.
Clear boundaries. We do not take on litigation or high-conflict cases. This keeps our focus on protecting families from unnecessary stress and cost.
Proven crisis and care navigation guidance. When a loved one suddenly needs nursing home care, we provide Medicaid crisis planning to help preserve assets and keep choices open.
Plans that actually work. We complete deeds, align accounts, and provide a plan that actually functions in practice.
Local presence and lasting support. From our office near US-6 and W Perkins Ave, we have built strong ties with local nursing homes, nonprofits, and caregivers. Ongoing support through membership keeps your plan updated as laws and life change.

Your Trusted Elder and Estate Planning Lawyers

For more than two decades, Brumbaugh Law Firm has been a steady guide for families in Sandusky, Huron, Port Clinton, and across Erie and Ottawa Counties. We opened our doors with one mission: to help Ohio families protect what they’ve built and keep care decisions in the family.

Our story began when our founding attorney, Michael Brumbaugh, recognized that most families were never told how to properly plan their estate or protect themselves from the high costs of long-term care.

With a deep passion for teaching and lifelong learning, he entered this field to give families the knowledge and tools they had been missing. That commitment to education still drives everything we do today.

Our approach is practical and personal. Every plan is built to work in the real world, from revocable trusts and Medicaid strategies to deed transfers and advance health directives. We handle the details so that your documents align with your assets, avoiding the gaps that cause plans to fail.

The firm is deeply rooted in the community. We’ve hosted workshops at local libraries, published educational materials for caregivers, and partnered with area professionals to make sure clients get well-rounded support.

Being just minutes from Sandusky Bay, Firelands Regional Medical Center, and the Erie County Courthouse, we are easy to reach for both planning sessions and ongoing support.

Our Service Areas in Sandusky

We provide estate and elder law planning to clients in:

Bay View
Bloomingville
Cedar Point
Columbus Park
Crystal Rock
Downtown Sandusky
Fairview Lanes
Lake Wilmer
Prout
Ranch Wood
Sand Hill
Southside Sandusky
Venice Heights

Our Sandusky Client Process

At Brumbaugh Law Firm, we believe peace of mind begins with clarity. That’s why our client intake process is designed to educate, guide, and build the right plan for your family’s needs.

At every stage, our goal is the same: to make the process simple, supportive, and centered on your family’s future.

Start with Education
For families considering estate planning, we invite you to attend one of our local workshops. These sessions help you understand your options before you make important decisions. You’ll learn about wills, trusts, Medicaid planning, and more in a clear, approachable setting.

Personalized Consultation
After the workshop (or if you come to us with an urgent matter), you’ll meet one-on-one with a member of our team. During this session, we take time to understand your goals, family circumstances, and financial picture.

Focused Guidance When Needed
Every family’s journey looks different. Some clients may sit down with our elder care navigation team to map out long-term care options or get help coordinating with local facilities such as The Meadows at Osborn Park or Parkvue Community.

In times of urgency, such as a sudden nursing home admission, we provide crisis Medicaid planning to protect assets and make sure care decisions remain in your hands.

Building a Plan That Works
Finally, we put the pieces together. From deeds and account alignment to funding tables and legal documents, we create a plan that functions in practice. Every detail is checked so that your documents and assets are in sync, giving your family confidence that the plan will hold up when it matters most.

How Do I Avoid Probate in Ohio?

Probate is the court process for settling an estate after death, and in Ohio it can take time and add expense. Families in Sandusky often look for ways to keep property and savings out of probate so assets pass smoothly to loved ones.

Some of the most effective tools include:

Revocable Living Trusts: Transfer assets directly to beneficiaries without court involvement.
Transfer-on-Death (TOD) Deeds and Accounts: Automatically pass real estate, vehicles, or accounts to a named person.
Joint Ownership or Beneficiary Designations: Make sure property, retirement accounts, and life insurance go directly to the person you choose.

With proper planning, you can avoid unnecessary trips to the Erie County Courthouse and give your family an easier path forward.

Local Resources We Work With In Sandusky

The Meadows at Osborn Park: Skilled nursing and rehab
Parkvue Community: Assisted living and long-term care
Providence Care Center: Nursing and rehab services
Sandusky Senior Center: City-run senior center with meals and activities
Erie County Senior Center: Community programs and support for older adults
Erie County Probate Court

Take the Next Step Brumbagh Law Firm

The best time to plan is before a crisis. If you are preparing for retirement, helping aging parents, or facing urgent long-term care needs, Brumbaugh Law Firm is here to help.

Call today to reserve your seat at our next workshop or schedule a consultation

Your family’s future deserves clarity, protection, and peace of mind.

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Testimonials

Client Success Stories

Margaret (Peg) Drake

Huron, OH

“I don’t know what I would’ve done without them. I needed help for my 96 year old mother regarding Medicaid and then getting her into a nursing home. Let me tell you, Medicaid is so complicated! Mike and Pam Brumbaugh, and the Brumbaugh Law Firm really came through for us! They were so helpful; they dealt with everything: Medicaid and also the nursing home. We were so well taken care of; their level of communication was outstanding. It was great! It seemed as if I never had to call them through the process to find out what was going on, because they always called me. You can’t ask for anything better! Then after my mother passed away, they helped with the probate, and told us what to do. You never know when things will come up, so you need help to get through it successfully. That’s what the Brumbaugh Law Firm does. The investment you make for their time and services is very reasonable, in my opinion. I really appreciate having them on my side, and never fail to recommend these fine people to others.”

Peter Latta

Toledo, OH

“I really appreciate the level of customer service I received doing estate planning with the Brumbaugh Law Firm. You can say that their ‘bedside manner’ was phenomenal! They were very helpful. They’re very knowledgeable, and make you feel very comfortable and relaxed to speak with them. Everything went very well. I have, and still continue to recommend their services. The Brumbaugh Law firm are a great group of people!”

Kyle Brubacker

Groff Funeral Home, Sandusky, OH

“We’re very pleased to recommend the services of the Brumbaugh Law Firm, and have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with them for several years. Some may be uncomfortable, at first, with the subject of advanced funeral planning, but after speaking with our staff and people like at the Brumbaugh Firm, they become very comfortable with the process. They, and us, believe that educating the public on this subject is very important. The result is that the children aren’t left with the responsibility of knowing what to do. That’s where it is a good idea to go speak with professionals who can be of great assistance.”

Cheryl Best-Wilke

Sandusky, OH

“I needed some estate planning work done, and because I knew about the Brumbaugh Law Firm that’s where I went. I’m glad that I did! I received wonderful information and answers, along with some great insight from Michael Brumbaugh. He brought up some things that I hadn’t even thought about. I really appreciated this level of detail, and was very happy with the service I received. They are very thorough in the way things are done. I received peace-of-mind knowing that I got this taken care of.”

Susan Appell

Columbus, OH

“The Brumbaugh Law Firm went above and beyond for us! I couldn’t say enough good things about them. We were looking for someone to assist with Medicaid for my mother-in-law, and we heard some good things about the Brumbaugh firm from a friend. We were very pleased with the results! I’d absolutely recommend their services. They were very helpful. My husband and I wouldn’t delay using them again if ever needed.”

Vanessa Gibson

Wakeman, OH

“I’m very satisfied with the services that The Brumbaugh Law Firm provided us. They were of great help regarding Medicaid for my mother. They were very courteous and kind. What really impressed me was the fact that when I had to stay at home to be with my mother, they’d come to the house to see us; you just don’t that kind of service anymore! Even better is that they told me to not hesitate to call if we had any follow-up questions. Because they did such a good job, I also had them do some other things for me. I certainly recommend that you go see them.”

Frank Trautman

Sandusky, OH

“These people were lifesavers! We were looking to get Medicaid for my wife and it was a very difficult process. From what they were saying, we were going to lose our house, cars, everything! After getting the Brumbaugh Law Firm on the job, we were able to keep our house and cars; you can’t ask for a better results than that. They certainly made a believer out of me! After my wife passed away, they helped with the probate and did another excellent job. I’ve recommended the Brumbaugh Law Firm to several people. Fact is, I’ve used them again to prepare a trust for me. I didn’t want to leave things hanging there for my children to deal with. The Brumbaugh group are very concerned and very caring people; they are great to deal with!”

Ed McClendon

Norwalk, OH

“I’d been recommending Michael Brumbaugh and the Brumbaugh Law Firm to my clients, so it was only natural that when the time came for my wife and I to have some estate planning work done, Mike was who we went to. I’d initially got to know Pam Brumbaugh through some projects and then Mike; they are really great people! When you go to see him, Mike’s very personable and is easy to talk with. He’s also a great listener, which is a wonderful trait to get the job done right and meet your needs. I spent 34 years in the financial services and insurance field, and learned that I didn’t have all the answers. That’s why I sought out the best to help my clients. Mike and Pam Brumbaugh, and their team at the Brumbaugh Law Firm are the kind of people who can be of great assistance to you.”

Barb Miller

Norwalk, OH

“What wonderful people to have on your side! Pam and Mike Brumbaugh are the best. A friend told me about the Brumbaugh Law Firm, and the staff made me feel so comfortable when I came to their office to inquire about getting some work done on behalf of my mother-in-law, which as things turned out, they did very successfully. Everyone there went out of their way to make things pleasant; they were very helpful. Even today, I know if I should ever need further assistance for anything, I can call and be treated wonderfully well. I can’t praise them enough!”

Nancy Adams

Brunswick, OH

“I needed help fast and Michael Brumbaugh and the Brumbaugh Law Firm came to my rescue! I had tried to deal with the Veterans Administration on my own in order to get VA benefits for my mother, and it was a nightmare. I was ready to quit, when a local bank manager recommended that I go speak with the Brumbaugh firm. I’m sure glad I did! Mike did a fantastic job; he took care of everything. Things turned out very well. I can’t imagine anyone going it alone with the VA, and getting the results that Michael Brumbaugh with his knowledge and experience got for us! He’s a very caring person. The Brumbaugh Law Firm has my highest recommendation.”

Computer Garage LLC

“Awesome people. They know their business and how to protect your assets in the future. Highly recommended at any stage in life, but the sooner the better. You just never know when a tragedy will strike.”

Paege Murphy

“Awesome experience and very informative. Helpful and cares about what is best for you!”

Kathleen and LeRoy Widing

“We had so many questions and Michael was so helpful in expaining issues in a way that we could understand. He is a very knowledgeable elder law attorney and without a doubt, he puts his heart into his work. My husband and I both highly recommend him.”

Kathy G.

“There were some issues that came up that we needed help with so we turned to Michael Brumbaugh at the recommendation of a friend. We found them to be very helpful. They took the time to listen and to understand what we wanted and needed to accomplish our goals. We are very pleased and would highly recommend Brumbaugh Law Firm.”