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Justin Jay Watling

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Avvo Rating7.7
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About Justin

In practice continuously since 1980, I have provided quality estate planning advice and assistance attuned to my clients' priorities and goals in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Practice includes the creation and implementation of living trust-based estate plans; trust and probate estate administration services.

 

I serve clients throughout Northeast Ohio, including the counties of Cuyahoga, Erie, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Ottawa, Portage & Summit.  In fact, in special cases I have been known to make house calls in the Greater Cleveland area.

Practice areas

Wills and living willsProbateEstate planningTrusts
  1. Trusts: 84%

    Preparation of living trust-based estate plans. I also assist surviving or successor trustees with the subsequent administration of the Trust upon death or incapacity of the Grantor/client.

    27 years

  2. Estate planning: 10%

    Gift planning, wealth building and tax minimization strategies. Preparation of living trust-based estate plans. I also assist surviving or successor trustees with the subsequent administration of the Trust upon death or incapacity of the Grantor/client.

    27 years

  3. Probate: 5%

    Assisting those unforatnate enough to have to travel the maze of a time-consuming, expensive, and public probate estate administration.

    40 years

  4. Wills and living wills: 1%

    When a Trust is not warranted and other probate avaoidance tools are being used, a Will is a likely component of the overall estate plan.

    40 years

Contact

5171 Wallings Road, #130
address map

5171 Wallings Road, #130
N. Royalton, OH, 44133-3198

815 Superior Aveue
Suite 1915
Cleveland, OH, 44114

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
OHActive198010/19/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers728
Legal guides2
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
OwnerJustin J Watling Company2004 - Present
AssociateDennis C Jackson Co1994 - 2004
PartnerMotta, McCormack Wolgamuth & Watling1987 - 1994
AssociateChattman Garfield Friedlander & Paul1980 - 1987
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Ohio State Bar Association, Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law SectionMember1995 - Present
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Cleveland-Marshall College of LawJuris Doctor1980
Ohio State UniversityBachelor of Arts1976
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Estate Planning for the Sandwich GenerationEstate Planning2010
Emerald Village, North Olmsted, OhioImportant Lifetime Estate Planning Documents2010
Ford Retirees Spouse GroupLiving TrustsN/A
AARP - Strongsville ChapterEstate Planning Q&AN/A

Reviews

(8)
5 Star
88%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Review Justin Watling

Recommended.

Posted by

Able, thoughtful and caring, I was so grateful to Justin for the estate planning services he rendered. He was patient, explaining every paperwork and estate law quirk. He was mindful of the needs and concerns of my husband and family. The documentation was prepared in a timely and complete manner. Justin was entirely professional.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Thorough and

Posted by

An Ohio relative of mine passed on and some questions came up about the estate. Because I live outside Ohio, I needed to find somebody with working knowledge of the state laws regarding wills and probate. I sat down at my computer to search for a lawyer and eventually stumbled across Avvo. I entered my criteria (large metropolitan area, at least two decades experience, etc.) and Avvo offered up a handful of names, including Justin Watling's. The list was arranged alphabetically. The first person I called didn't call me back (and still hasn't called me back). The second person was Mr. Watling. He couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. He listened to my concerns and asked questions. At his request, I sent him my documentation and he spent some time examining it before advising me. He spotted a flaw in one document and spoke to me at length about how to deal with it. His advise was reasonable and concise. I recommend him very highly.

Very pleased with Justin Watling

Posted by

Justin Watling did considerable work for our family about ten years ago. He was very professional, and went above and beyond in his service to his task, and our entire family was pleased with his performance

Highly Recommend Justin Watling

Posted by

I would highly recommend Justin to anyone who is doing estate planning. We were extremely pleased with the professional and thorough services that Justin provided. We had started our estate planning with another firm, and were not very happy with the process. A friend who had a similar experience recommended us to Justin, and every aspect of the process went well. We have also introduced Justin to other friends and they have had positive results.

Watling representing Joe Fumic

Posted by

Justin Watling acted as my lawyer when I had problems with a negligent contractor. He was efficient, very professional, and always kept me informed during my case. I highly recommend him and will be using him again very shortly.

Helpful & Thorough

Posted by

Over the holidays, my family needed to set up a power of attorney quickly while everyone was in town. We contacted Justin Watling because of the work he does pro bono for the Westlake Senior Center. In spite of a hectic holiday schedule and bad weather, Justin went out of his way to help us, even paying two "house calls" to mom's assisted living complex. While preparing the power of attorney papers, he also reviewed mom's trust documents, prepared 10 years ago by another attorney. He offered great advice and updated the documents for us at NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. Our family was very satisfied with the work Justin did and we highly recommend him.

Demon Review

Posted by

Mr.Watling was above all else very professional and his presentation and working knowledge were presented in a very understandable and compassionate way. I would without hesitation recommend his services in Living Trust,estate planning or probate legal issues.

Average Lawyer

Posted by

Had the right impulse to offer guidance going the right direction, but was never really interested or listening.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Attorney endorsements

(7)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

William Reynolds, Probate Attorney on Jun 4, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have become acquainted with Attorney Watling through his many well thought-out responses about some very difficult questions. He is thoughtful, intelligent, and really seems to care about the quality of the information and advice he gives. I recommend him!

Christian Lassen

Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community.

Howard Lewis, Trusts Attorney on Mar 3, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Watling is an outstanding attorney with an exceptional reputation. He is a strong and zealous advocate for his clients and a credit to the legal profession. I highly recommend his legal services.

James Frederick, Probate Attorney on Sep 24, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Because Attorney Watling and I practice in the same areas of law, I have had the opportunity to review many of his hundreds of answers. I have found his advice to not only reflect a keen knowledge of applicable law, but also to focus on the best practical outcome for the client's legal issues. For these reasons, I heartily endorse Attorney Watling. He is a great resource for the Ohio Avvo community and the estate planning and probate bar. James Frederick

Joseph Ostrowski, Trusts Attorney on Jan 16, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Attorney Watling exemplifies the very best attributes of an active attorney and a level of professionalism we should all aspire to. Honesty, dedication and a love of the law which means. giving back to others who lack our understanding of the law. The thousands years of combined legal experience of professionals activity participating in forum represent some of the very best of our profession, which is after all, at its base is desire to those in need. This Attorney’s experience allows to obtain excellent results for his clients. Most importantly, this Attorney is willing to help complete strangers (as is the case in this forum) with legal problem for which we may have some helpful information and thereby demystify the legal process as much as possible. I would recommend this Attorney without any hesitation for all practice areas listed.

James Dye, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 7, 2011
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer. Justin and I worked together for a number of years in an Estate Planning firm. I have never met any other attorney with more knowledge in a particular field than Justin. He is absolutely the man to go to for Estate Planning in North Easter / Northern Ohio

Anthony Rifici, Trusts Attorney on Mar 5, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have know Justin for ten years, and have had many opportunities to work with him in the past. Justin has an advanced level of knowledge in his practice areas, and his rapport with clients is excellent. I have referred some of my own family to Justin, and would do so again without hesitation if the need arose -- Anthony M. Rifici, Esq.

Cost

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    • Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs60 minutes