Benjamin Baird deForest II

Benjamin Baird deForest II

also known as Ben deForest, Benjamin B deForest, LLC

5.0
Rating: 7.7

Licensed for 41 years

Elder law Lawyer at Massillon, OH
Practice Areas: Elder Law

8161 Athens Ave. N.W., Massillon, OH

About Benjamin

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Elder Law 100%

Medicaid planning involves the structuring of a person or married couples assets in such a way that they qualify for Medicaid sooner, protect more of their hard earned monies, avoid Probate and also avoid Medicaid Estate Recovery, (the State's ability to attempt to recover monies from a deceased person's estate for Medicaid benefits paid). It is never too late to plan and protect despite what people hear about the "five-year" look back rule.

33 years

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 250-250 per hour


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Licenses

Licensed in Ohio for 41 years

State: Ohio

Acquired: 1984

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Benjamin B deForest LLC

8161 Athens Ave. N.W., Massillon, OH, 44646

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Benjamin Baird deForest II's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

47 Client Reviews

5 star (47)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Michelle | April 27, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Elder Lawyer, Caring and Dependable

My elderly Mother hired Ben to help facilitate the sale of her house and move her into a nursing home. Ben was upfront with fees, and was easily reached by phone, email, or text. He went above and beyond helping Mom get through the paperwork and helping us get her house sold quickly. As I live out of... country, Ben has been good to keep me in the loop and was able to mail important documents. He was kind and compassionate throughout the entire proceedings. I strongly urge you to consider Ben for your legal needs.

Posted by Kandice | April 23, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

He is highly recommended

I highly recommend his service took a lot of stress off of us and gave us time to care for our loved ones instead of worrying that they are going to lose everything they have worked for all there lives

Posted by Connie | December 17, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Helpful

I had the pleasure of being able to work with Benjamin he was very sweet, understanding and showed compassion. Unfortunately my mother passed away before she was approved, he was still willing to help me with everything else that I needed to have done, being that this is my first time ever dealing wi...th this I would gladly recommend him.

Posted by Michelle | August 31, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly recommend

I hired Mr. Deforest to do a Will and P.O.A. Documents for me.. I highly recommend him. He is very Professional & knowledgeable and goes above and beyond for his clients.. I have had him do my Parents documents then I also hired him later on for me.. If I have any further work done I will definitely... call Mr. Deforest to do it…

Posted by John Morgan | August 3, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Benjamin deForest

Benjamin led us thru the complexities of dealing with my sisters Medicaid application and was invaluable in savings us time in dealing with the documentation and interaction with Medicaid staff. He preserved assets and was prompt in answering questions.

See All Client Reviews

Benjamin Baird deForest II's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Benjamin
Ronald Joseph Koehler headshot
Ronald Koehler

Elder law lawyer | Jul 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have practiced nearly as long as Ben has, and have handled a couple of matters in which he also represented people. I can tell you that Ben is honest, highly qualified and experienced. If I needed an attorney to help my family in Elder Law, I would hire Ben."

Robert Daniel Maguire headshot
Robert Maguire

Probate lawyer | Mar 04

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Benjamin is a very competent probate practitioner. He has been opposing counsel on a few cases and he is knowledgeable."

View All Endorsements
Ronald Joseph Koehler headshot
Ronald Koehler

Probate lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.7 (Very Good)

Honors

2020

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2011

Distinguished, Very High Rating Legal Ability, Ethical Standards, LexisNexis

Work Experience

2010 - Present

Attorney and Owner, Benjamin B. deForest, LLC

2002 - 2010

Partner Attorney, Krugliak Wilkins Griffiths & Dougherty Co. L.P.A.

1999 - 2002

Attorney, Benjamin B deForest

1991 - 1999

Attorney, Stark & Knoll Co., L.P.A.

1986 - 1991

Attorney, Phillips and Sheehan Co. L.P.A.

1984 - 1986

Trust Department Attorney, Mahoning National Bank, Youngstown Ohio

Associations

2016 - Present

Ohio Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Member

1994 - Present

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Member

1986 - Present

Stark County Bar Association

Member

1984 - Present

Ohio State Bar Association

Member

2009 - 2010

ALS Care Project

Past President of The Board

Sample of Legal Cases

In the Matter of Patricia L. Perez, State Hearing, Ohio Dept Of Job and Family Services

Appeal Sustained

See More Legal Cases

Education

1983

Ohio Northern University - Claude W. Pettit College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1980

State University of New York at Buffalo

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2016

Talk Radio call in program Medicaid Answers

2016

Mercy Hospital Planning for End of Life Matters

Estate Planning and Asset Protection

2015

Mercy Hospital Planning for End of Life Matters

Estate Planning and Asset Protection

2014

Planning for your Parents

Medicaid Planning

2014

Northwest Stark Senior Citizen Center Canal Fulton OH

Elder Law

2014

Mercy Hospital Planning for End of Life Matters

Estate Planning and Asset Protection

2013

ALS Care Project Canton OH

Estate Planning and Asset Protection

2012

Stone Crossing Care Center, Canton OH

Medicaid Planning

2012

Northwest Stark Senior Citizen Center Canal Fulton OH

Medicaid Planning

2012

Diebold Corporation, Canton OH

Estate Planning

Publications

2011

Senior Citizens Guide The Ubiquitous Power of Attorney

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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