OUR Probate Litigation ATTORNEYS AND REFERRALS

Because many of our probate litigation clients are referrals from attorneys and financial advisors, we like to work closely, if desired, with the referring professional in the probate litigation planning and decision making processes.  Our goal is to get the best possible result for the client as quickly as possible.  The referring attorney and/or financial advisor are often times helpful in achieving that goal.

SS+D’s aggressive trial attorneys have represented clients in hearings and trials in probate courts throughout the State of Ohio in disputes involving wills and trusts, probate fraud, abuse of powers of attorney, guardianships, creditors’ claims, and pre-death gifts.  Because of our court experience, we are often able quickly to evaluate the merits of a claim and help the client determine the best approach to take.

Litigation in Probate Court can be expensive and emotionally difficult, so we will work closely with the client to create the best litigation plan possible.  Because probate litigation involves families as well as personal and business relationships that may continue after the conclusion of the case, we treat all of our client matters as highly confidential and sensitive.  We will consult with the client at each critical step of the decision-making process.

Michael Moloney

Mike Moloney has practiced in Dayton for his entire career since graduating from The Ohio State University College of Law in 1980.  He is recognized as a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the Ohio State Bar Association.  Mike, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP has a rare combination of having a sophisticated understanding of estate planning and probate law while also excelling as a litigator in the courtroom).  With this combination, Mike Moloney spends a significant amount of time representing estates, trusts, corporate trustees and beneficiaries in lawsuits over wills and trusts.  In addition, Mike also handles tax court litigation and IRS audits.

Dianne Marx

Dianne Marx is a trial lawyer with experience in all types of probate matters, such as helping recover estate assets when a loved one wrongfully signed a will leaving his estate to a neighbor, representing trustees in state and federal court, and helping creditors recover assets.  Dianne has over 25 years of experience representing clients throughout Ohio.  Having tried over 20 cases to juries and many more to the court, Dianne fights for her clients yet also understands the financial and emotional cost of litigation, particularly when it involves family relationships.  With this understanding, Dianne Marx takes a creative approach to both potential settlements and alternative dispute resolution processes that are both financially and emotionally beneficial to her client.  Dianne has extensive experience and formal mediation training at the Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law.  She is a former past president of the Dayton Bar Association, and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and Dayton Bar.  She has also been designated as an Ohio and Corporate Counsel Super Lawyer by Law & Politics Media, Inc.

Scott Davies

Scott Davies is a litigation attorney.  Over the last seven years, he has spent a substantial portion of his time advising clients, both from an estate planning perspective and in litigation following a family member's death.  He recently represented an Executor whose sister challenged the validity of their mother's will.  The Executor's sister accused him of withholding care for their mother unless the will was modified to give him substantially more than his sister.  The sister also claimed that their mother had actually revoked the will prior to her death.  After four years of litigation in the Probate Court, the Common Pleas Court, and the Second District Court of Appeals, the will was upheld and the Executor was exonerated of any wrong-doing.

Scott's practice provides a broad scope of experiences to draw upon and apply in the context of probate litigation.  He takes a realistic approach to and seeks opportunities for mutually beneficial resolution at all stages of litigation.  Scott Davies has been invited to lecture on Probate Litigation before the Dayton Bar Association.  He was named a Rising Star in 2008 by Law & Politics.