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Estate Planning Lawyer | Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability Attorney

If you are looking for an experienced attorney serving the Columbus, Ohio area who works with individuals needing representation for Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability, or Estate Planning and Probate, you have come to the right place.

Philip Gauer has been advocating for his clients for more than 25 years. He is dedicated to ensuring that the principles of justice and fairness are upheld. He’ll employ all of his accumulated legal knowledge and ability to assist his clients. Please contact Phil today for a free consultation.

In uncertain times, it’s important to find someone you can trust. If you’ve been involved in a workplace injury, the path to recovery can be confusing. For Social Security Disability, there are few easy answers; you need an attorney who will spend the time to understand your situation. For Estate Planning and Probate, you need someone who can offer guidance through a maze of uncertainty.

Ohio Estate Planning Attorney

As an estate planning attorney in Columbus with over two decades of legal practice, I enjoy helping individuals with leagl matters, including helping to ease their minds when planning for end of life and asset distribution matters.  As a member of the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Section of the Ohio State Bar Association, I have the experience and expertise that you can trust.

If you are looking for peace-of-mind knowing that settling your affairs will be as easy as possible for your loved ones, I inivite you to call me to discuss creating a personalized estate plan around your wishes and protecting your family.  And, as a trust lawyer, I can also help determine if a trust is right for you.

Ohio Probate Lawyer

In many instances, those tasked with administering a loved one’s estate have never served as a Personal Representative before.  As a probate lawyer and estate administration attorney, my role is to answer questions, prepare the legal documents that need to be filed, and (most importantly) to be with you at every step to help ensure that your duties are fufilled.

We take on many of the matters required for personal representatives so that your time can be minimized.  We also help in resolving difficult asset distribution matters, particularly those when there is either no will or where asset distribution wishes are unclear.  I invite you to call me to learn how I can help you in the distribution of your loved one’s estate.

Ohio Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

If you have suffered a workplace injury or illness in Ohio, you need an experienced workers’ compensation attorney on your side. At Philip Gauer Law, I am dedicated to helping injured workers obtain the maximum benefits to which they are entitled.

I understand the complexities of the Ohio workers’ compensation system and work tirelessly to ensure that injured clients receive the full medical treatment and financial compensation they rightfully deserve.

Don’t be taken advantage by unscrupulous insurance companies trying to minimize their costs.  Reach out for a free consultation to learn your rights!

Ohio Social Security Disability Attorney

As a Columbus Social Security disability attorney with over two decades of experience, I understand that navigating the Social Security Disability system can be overwhelming and frustrating.  I help those who can no longer work and who have been denied social security benefits appeal wrongful denials, and I work tirelessly in seeking to overturn wrongful benefit denials. 

I represent clients on a contingency fee basis, so that you do not need to be concerned about paying legal fees while your appeal is ongoing.  Further, legal fees for Social Security appeals are capped under Ohio law, and are only based upon the amount of the initial award granted (so you do not need to pay legal fees on amounts paid after the initial award).  

Call me for a free consultation to learn how I can help you!

My Philosophy

Gauer Ohio

I endeavor to run my practice with integrity and hard work, and to treat people the way I want to be treated. I have a personal, hands-on approach to every client who hires me.

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What Our Clients Say

Insights & Publications

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No PPD when PTD

This proclamation comes from a recent decision by the Ohio Supreme Court involving a workers’ compensation claim, State ex rel. Ohio Presbyterian
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FAQs

If you die without a will in Ohio, your assets will be distributed according to Ohio’s intestacy laws.  In general, those who are your next of kin will receive an equal share of your assets.  This may not reflect your wishes and could lead to complications for your loved ones. As an experienced Columbus estate planning attorney, I can help construct a personalized will designed to meet your objectives.

A revocable living trust is a legal document that allows a person to transfer assets into a trust during their lifetime. The person creating the trust (the grantor) can change or cancel the trust at any time, and can also be the trustee in charge of managing the assets. The trust assets are distributed to the designated beneficiaries after the grantor’s death, without going through probate. This can provide privacy, avoid probate costs, and allow for greater control over how assets are distributed.

Whether you need a trust in Ohio depends on your personal circumstances and estate planning goals. A trust can provide benefits such as avoiding probate, maintaining privacy, providing for minor children or beneficiaries with special needs, and minimizing taxes. As an experienced trust attorney, I can discuss your objectives and explain whether a trust may be beneficial for your particular circumstances.

Yes, estate planning can help you minimize taxes by using strategies such as gifting, trusts, and charitable giving. It’s important to consult with an attorney or tax professional to determine the best strategies for your situation.

Probate is the legal process of administering the affairs of a decedent, which includes identifying all assets and debts, paying off the proper debts from the available assets, ensuring that final tax returns are filed, distributing assets to heirs or beneficiaries, and ensuring that all legally-required documents are appropriately filed. It can be a lengthy and expensive process that can tie up assets for months or even years, and may involve legal fees and court costs.

Yes, probate can often be avoided (or minimized) in Ohio through various means, including creating a revocable living trust, naming beneficiaries on certain assets such as life insurance policies and retirement accounts, using joint ownership with right of survivorship, and transferring assets through a transfer-on-death or payable-on-death designation. It’s important to consult with an attorney to determine the best strategy for your specific situation.

No.  Trust assets are considered to be legally-owned by the trust, not by the decedent.  As a result, trust assets do not go through the probate process.

Ohio workers’ compensation provides medical and wage replacement benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses. 

Yes.  Workers’ compensation is considered a “no fault” system, which means that workers are entitled to compensation even if they are at fault for their injury.

Most Ohio employees, including full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers, are covered by workers’ compensation.

Ohio workers’ compensation covers injuries that occur on the job, as well as illnesses and diseases that are caused by the work environment.

Benefits include medical treatment, wage replacement, disability payments, and vocational rehabilitation services.

Ohio Social Security Disability is a federal program that provides benefits to people who are unable to work due to a disability.

You must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that prevents you from working and is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death.

Benefits include monthly cash payments, Medicare coverage, and auxiliary benefits for family members.

The process can take several months or longer, depending on the complexity of your case and whether or not you need to appeal a decision.

There are income and work restrictions, but some work may be allowed without losing benefits.

Yes, you have the right to appeal a denial and request a hearing before an administrative law judge. If you were denied Social Security Disability benefits, I invite you to call my office to schedule a free consultation to learn about your appeal options.

No, but an attorney can help you understand the process and increase your chances of approval. It’s important to note that if your claim is denied, even for a small reason, you cannot simply fix any mistakes. Your claim will be denied, and you must go through the appeals process, which can often take 6-12 months. 

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