I have the best job in the world. Every day, I meet with wonderful people who love their families, and want to protect their loved ones, keep them out of court, save money, and make things easier for them in the future. Our estate plans enable our clients to help avoid unnecessary placement in nursing homes. This alone can save up to $7500 every month, while allowing the clients to preserve their privacy, dignity and quality of life by remaining in their own homes as long as possible. In the unlikely event that nursing home care IS required, our estate plans contain the tools necessary to do Medicaid Planning. Typically, this allows the client to qualify for medicaid much more quickly, without having to SPEND DOWN everything they have been working for their entire lives. All we do at Rice & Rice is estate planning, and we have been practicing law for almost 42 years.
I am extremely proud of the people who work together with us at Rice & Rice. One of our paralegals started working with us 40 years ago; another 38 years ago; another 27 years ago. All of these people have a wealth of experience, and have been doing primarily only estate planning for many decades.
I am also Co-Pastor at our local church, and we own and operate a Christian radio station which has been on the air 24 hours a day for the past 10 years.
Practice areas
Our estate planning includes evaluation of client's needs, planning to limit or avoid probate, provide essential documents including Pour-Over Wills, Healthcare Powers of Attorney, General Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, as well as Trust Funding Documents, Training and Instructions. Cliff has designed estate plans to protect family and individual interest in farms and businesses, provide for on-going support for special needs beneficiaries and planning for long-term care.
For more than 20-years, Cliff has created estate plans centered around Revocable Living Trusts. He also supports clients' estate planning needs through Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, IRA Preservation Trusts, Pet Care Trusts, Supplemental Special Needs Trust. Cliff supports clients during the creation of their estate plan and provides assistance with Trust, Estate, and Probate Administration for clients.
While Cliff focuses on Trust-Centered Estate Plans, stand-alone Last Will are used for clients as appropriate. Additionally, Trust-Centered Estate Plans include a Last Will that is referred to as a Pour-Over Will as well a Living Will for each client to stay in charge of end-of-life decision-making.
Languages spoken
Indonesian, English
Rice & Rice, Attorneys At Law, LLC
100 Lincolnway Ste 1
Valparaiso, IN, 46383-5663
635 S. Earl Ave
Lafayette, IN, 47904
1237 E. University Dr.
Granger, IN, 46530
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
MI | Active And In Good Standing | 2015 | 06/27/2022 |
IL | Active And Authorized To Practice Law | 1993 | 06/13/2022 |
IN | Active In Good Standing | 1972 | 04/01/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Best of the Region - Estate Planning Law Firm | Times Publications | 2009 |
Practicum Mentor, 1994 - 1997 | National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys | 1997 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Founding Partner | Rice & Rice Attorneys | 1972 - Present |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Wealth Counsel | Charter Member, Instructor | 1997 - Present |
National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys | Teacher, Mentor, Developer of The Practicum Course | 1993 - Present |
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys | Member | 1993 - Present |
American Bar Association | Real Property Trusts and Estate Law | 1973 - Present |
Indiana State Bar Association | Probate, Trusts and Real Property | 1972 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Senior Life | Protect Your Family | 2014 |
National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys | The Estate Planning Tool Kit | 1994 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Valparaiso University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1972 |
Indiana University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1969 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Educational Seminar | Living Trust-Centered Estate Planning, 1993-2014 | 2014 |
WealthCounsel - The Collegium | Stretch IRA Trusts | 2007 |
The Practicum Course | How To Effectively Manage and Grow Your Estate Planning Practice | 1995 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Estate Planning | Overall excellent, in nearly every case |
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March 16, 2018
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Jeffrey Shaw, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 29, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Rice has been well-known for decades in this community as a first-rate attorney in Elder Law matters of all kinds.
Howard Lang, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 20, 2014
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I endorse this lawyer. I have known and worked with Cliff for over 25 years. He holds my highest respect and appreciation for his Competence, Chemistry, Culture and most important Character in my relationship and my observation of Cliff's relationships with his colleagues, friends, and most important family. His practice is holistic and Cliff counsels his clients with the goal of his client reaching their potential and legacy. I am only a better person through my friendship with my respected and loved colleague.
Jeffrey Shaw, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 29, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Rice has been well-known for decades in this community as a first-rate attorney in Elder Law matters of all kinds.
Howard Lang, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 20, 2014
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I endorse this lawyer. I have known and worked with Cliff for over 25 years. He holds my highest respect and appreciation for his Competence, Chemistry, Culture and most important Character in my relationship and my observation of Cliff's relationships with his colleagues, friends, and most important family. His practice is holistic and Cliff counsels his clients with the goal of his client reaching their potential and legacy. I am only a better person through my friendship with my respected and loved colleague.
William Green, Estate planning Attorney on Nov 20, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Cliff is the finest Estate Planning attorney I know. He is a very capable and very careful attorney. I have known Cliff for more than 20 years and he is the attorney I consult regarding complicated Estate Planning issues. He is very patient with his clients and is excellent at making complex issues understandable. I give him my highest personal and professional rating.
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