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


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

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

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Benjamin Baird deForest II's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

48 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (48) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 11 - 15 of 21 reviews | Recommendation

Posted by Mary | April 10, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Elder Law

Complicated Legal and Healthcare needs. Long Distance.

After my sister was admitted to long term care with multiple medical issues, it became evident that we needed help navigating the complexities of payment and subsequent application for Medicaid. I was relieved to learn that it was possible to preserve a portion of my sisters assets for her childre...n. BenDeForest was able to advise us on the law and created an irrevocable trust document. I live in another state. Ben did the necessary legal paperwork and footwork while communicating with me as needed. We are very grateful and highly recommend Attorney DeForest to others in similar situations. .

Posted by Jeff | February 05, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Medicaid & Medicare

Medicaid Expert

Ben worked with us to get both our Mother and Father qualified for Medicaid. Our Father had been in a nursing home for two years and my mother was joining him. He helped us work through all of the regulations and requirements of Medicaid and the Nursing home. We were very comfortable working with ...him and would definitely recommend his services to anyone.

Posted by anonymous | December 19, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Elder Law

Effective and Informative

Benjamin deForest helped my mother become approved for medicaid as quick as possible while preserving a percentage of her assets. The nursing home does not have to get everything. Mr. deForest used a tool that complied with medicaid and showed me how to work with it. You would be hard-pressed to fin...d a better lawyer and you will be able to tell right off the bat he's a good one.

Posted by Larry D | July 04, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Probate

HONEST,KIND AND PATIENT.

I am glad I got Ben to help with legal matters after my wife passed away. He did a great job and made things a lot easier for me. I highly recommend him.

Posted by Carol | June 18, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Elder Law

SUPERB ELDER CARE ATTORNEY

When my aunt became ill we were suddenly faced with overwhelming decisions. She was admitted to a nursing facility immediately and important decisions had to be made. Ben DeForest was HIGHLY recommended by the nursing home as a skilled elder attorney. Ben is very patient, kind and genuine as he... led us through the process of estate planning. He was always more than willing to answer any questions we had. As we were faced with some unusual circumstances, Ben was able to guide us through the process with outstanding results. Been exceeded our expectations. Should we need an elder care attorney in the future, we will not hesitate to hire Ben once again.

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

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution