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Your Trusted Elder Law & Estate Planning Partner in Sandusky
The Law Office Of Michael L. Brumbaugh is a dedicated legal practice specializing in elder care and estate planning, serving families across Ohio's Northcoast region. With decades of combined experience, our team of attorneys, social workers, and paralegals guide clients through complex legal frameworks to protect assets, navigate Medicaid eligibility, and create comprehensive plans for long-term care. Our approach integrates legal expertise with compassionate support, ensuring clients maintain control over healthcare decisions and financial legacies while avoiding unnecessary probate costs.We prioritize client education through free monthly seminars and personalized consultations, addressing unique needs for families facing dementia-related challenges, veterans' benefits, and intergenerational wealth preservation. Our commitment to community service and specialized elder law knowledge has established us as trusted advisors in senior legal matters since our founding.
Services
Estate Planning
Medicaid Planning
Probate Services
Trust Creation
Power of Attorney
Veterans Benefits
Long-Term Care
Wealth Protection
Care Coordination
Document Drafting
Highlights and features
- We offer free monthly educational seminars on elder law and estate planning
- Our team approach combines legal, social work, and Medicaid expertise
- Specialized dementia care planning with certified practitioners
- Proven Medicaid asset protection strategies since 2005
- Home visits available for clients with mobility challenges
What people say
Compassionate and dedicated team
Exceptional Medicaid planning results
Knowledgeable elder law specialists
Personalized home visit services
Clear explanation of complex issues
Services
Estate Planning
Our comprehensive estate planning services create legally sound frameworks for asset distribution and healthcare decisions. We specialize in wills, trusts, and powers of attorney that protect inheritances while minimizing probate complications. Clients receive personalized guidance to ensure their wishes govern financial and medical decisions during incapacity or after death. Our approach balances legal requirements with family dynamics to create enforceable, compassionate solutions.
Medicaid Planning
We develop strategic Medicaid eligibility plans that preserve home equity and retirement savings while qualifying for long-term care benefits. Our team navigates complex rules to protect assets through legal instruments like irrevocable trusts and annuities. We specialize in crisis planning for immediate nursing home needs while maintaining compliance with evolving state and federal regulations for senior care financing.
Probate Services
Our probate services guide executors through Ohio's estate settlement process with clear legal direction and administrative support. We handle will validation, asset inventory, debt settlement, and property distribution while minimizing tax implications. Our experienced team streamlines court requirements to reduce family stress during the transition period following a loved one's passing.
Long-Term Care
We create customized long-term care strategies addressing assisted living, home healthcare, and nursing home transitions. Our social workers coordinate Medicaid applications, care facility selection, and family communication. We emphasize maintaining client dignity while implementing financial safeguards that prevent asset depletion through structured care agreements and benefit maximization.
Veterans Benefits
Our accredited attorneys secure VA Aid and Attendance benefits for wartime veterans and surviving spouses. We implement strategies that convert home equity into tax-free income for home care services while maintaining Medicaid eligibility. Our team handles application processes and ongoing compliance for veterans requiring assisted living or skilled nursing care.
People
Michael L. Brumbaugh
Founder and Attorney
National Certified Dementia Practitioner with mechanical engineering background, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Toledo University Law School. Served as Ohio NAELA president and authored multiple elder law books. Specializes in integrating legal, financial, and personal care needs for seniors.
Pamela J. Brumbaugh
Director of Client Services
Licensed social worker and Certified Dementia Practitioner with 20+ years in elder care. Former United Way executive and hospital discharge planner. Leads Medicaid application assistance and long-term care navigation services while coordinating community outreach programs.
Randy Knavel
Associate Attorney
Magna Cum Laude graduate of The University of Toledo and Ohio State University College of Law. Former investment advisor representative with NSSA certification. Specializes in estate planning and elder law with focus on veterans' benefits and financial strategy integration.
Amanda Fitzthum
Operations Manager
Manages firm operations with background in project management and client engagement. Daughter of founding attorneys, brings process optimization expertise to ensure smooth client experience from consultation through service delivery.
Jody Patynko
Long-Term Care Specialist
Licensed Nursing Home Administrator with Gerontology degree and Certified Dementia Practitioner. 20+ years advocating for seniors and vulnerable populations. Coordinates facility selection and care management services for clients requiring assisted living or skilled nursing care.
Questions
What elder law services do you specialize in?
We focus on Medicaid planning, asset protection, estate planning, probate management, long-term care strategies, and veterans' benefits for seniors across Northern Ohio.
How can you help with nursing home cost planning?
Our attorneys create customized Medicaid asset protection plans that legally preserve home equity and retirement savings while qualifying for nursing home benefits.
Do you offer in-home consultations?
Yes, our team provides home visits for clients requiring medical or mobility accommodations across our service areas.
What differentiates your estate planning approach?
We combine traditional estate documents with integrated long-term care strategies that address both lifetime needs and post-death asset distribution.
Can you assist with veterans' benefits?
Our accredited attorneys help clients qualify for VA Aid and Attendance benefits to cover home care and assisted living expenses.
How do you support families during probate?
We streamline probate proceedings with personalized guidance, minimizing delays and ensuring proper estate administration according to Ohio law.
