ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY · AKRON, OH
Dynasty Trusts in Akron, OH
Spatz Law Group creates dynasty trusts for Northeast Ohio families who want what they've built to support children, grandchildren and generations beyond, protected along the way.
Watching an inheritance disappear in one generation
Families often worry about what happens after the money passes to their children: a divorce that splits it in half, a lawsuit, or simple overspending. A dynasty trust keeps assets inside the trust for your children, grandchildren and beyond. Because no one owns the assets outright, they're far better protected from each beneficiary's divorce and creditors.
Setting guardrails without ruling from the grave
You don't have to predict every future need. A dynasty trust can give clear priorities, like education, a first home or starting a business, while letting a trustee use judgment as circumstances change. The goal is to support each generation without taking away their drive or their dignity.
Avoiding a tax at every generation
Without planning, wealth passed down can be taxed when each generation dies, and a separate generation-skipping tax can apply to gifts to grandchildren. Each person has a generation-skipping exemption, equal to the $15 million federal estate tax exemption in 2026. Allocating it to the trust lets the assets pass down without being taxed again at each generation.
Your attorney
Debra A. Spatz
Licensed in Ohio since 2008 · Ohio Supreme Court Reg. #0083356
Chicago-Kent College of Law · University of Illinois, Finance
Meet DebraBefore your first conversation
Bring a list of the assets you're considering for the trust, any prior gift tax returns, and the names of your children and grandchildren.
★★★★★Google review
If you are looking for a local estate attorney in Bath, Ohio, Deb Spatz with Spatz Law Group is truly exceptional. I know several people who have worked with Deb, and they consistently share nothing but positive experiences. Deb takes the time to get to know you and your story, allowing her to create a plan that brings real peace of mind for you and your family. She even offers the option to record a legacy video for your loved ones, which is an incredibly meaningful and lasting gift. Do not wait until it is too late. I highly recommend calling Deb today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can benefit from a dynasty trust?
Usually your descendants: children, grandchildren and future generations. You can decide whether spouses of descendants can benefit, and how the trust treats adopted children or stepchildren. These choices are spelled out in the trust from the start.
Do I need a dynasty trust to protect my kids from divorce or creditors?
Not necessarily. If your estate is well below the federal exemption, a lifetime trust for each child inside your revocable trust can offer much of the same protection, without the complexity of a separate dynasty trust. A dynasty trust makes the most sense when you also want the trust to last for grandchildren and beyond. Debra tells you plainly which fits.
Can my family use a home or cottage owned by the trust?
Yes. A dynasty trust can own a family home or vacation property, like a lake cottage, that beneficiaries use without owning it themselves. That keeps the property in the family and protected, while the trust spells out who pays for upkeep and how use is shared.
Why set up a dynasty trust in Ohio?
Ohio allows trusts to continue indefinitely when certain requirements are met, rather than forcing them to end after a set period. That makes Ohio a practical home for a trust meant to last generations, with an Ohio trustee administering it.
How much should go into a dynasty trust?
It depends on your goals and your estate. Many families fund it with assets up to their generation-skipping exemption so the trust can grow free of future estate tax. Debra looks at your full picture before recommending an amount.
Who manages the trust over so many years?
The trust names a trustee and a process for choosing successors, so it never runs out of leadership. Some families combine a family member with a professional trustee, or name a trusted advisor who can step in to adjust the trust if laws change.