It is said there are only two certainties in life — death and taxes.

But unfortunately for many Lorain County residents, although they know inherently that this future is inevitable, far too few are planning in advance and taking control of their golden years.

But one local attorney is out to fix that.

Carmen M. Scott has made it her mission to spread the word that proper advance elder and estate planning not only will preserve the dollars many worked so hard to grow and save, but also enable folks to leave a legacy behind.

Scott is a partner at the law firm of Sarringhaus and Scott headquartered in Oberlin.

The attorneys at the firm specialize in elder law, estate planning and probate and can be reached at www.SarringhausScottLaw.com.

And the practice areas are something for which Scott is a passionate advocate, encouraging everyone to plan ahead and be prepared for the inevitable.

Scott says that it is essential that folks arrange for their family’s financial security in the event of an untimely passing or a long-term care event.

The firm offers personalized legal solutions tailored to anyone’s specific situation.

“There are just so many issues out there and these things can be terribly confusing and complicated,” Scott says. “You most certainly don’t want to be dealing with this at one of the worst moments of your life, or when everything is highly emotionally charged.

“There are myths surrounding how to pay for long term care, and we have found that nearly 70 percent of everyone is going to need it at some point. People are living longer and you have to realize that this care can cost upward of $13,000 per month.

“It can quite literally deplete every penny of your life savings or retirement. It is so very important that everyone, the younger the better, meet with an elder law attorney or estate and get a plan. Get that plan in advance and protect your loved ones and your assets.”

Scott says that too often, she sees folks after a traumatic event or people who may have diminished capacity.

She stresses not to wait until you or a loved one are ill, because a life-changing event could happen at any point.

And, Scott said those life-changing events are the perfect opportunity to meet with her, and she alluded to four specific ones: turning 18 years of age; getting married; having children; and retirement.

That calls for consultation, she said.

But why do many put it off?

“Fear,” Scott said. “I find that too many people fear confronting their own mortality. Or, they may believe that talking about it will somehow make it happen.

“We need to normalize having this conversation. It shouldn’t be a taboo subject, but again, the absolute worst time to have it is when you have to have it. I look at it just like tax planning with your accountant.

“You want to make sure that you are protecting your assets and possibly leave to the future generation. You want to be able to take advantage of all the things you can and doing that well in advance allows me to do that for you. It gives you and your loved ones a tremendous peace
of mind financially knowing that all of this is taken care of.

“We discuss your goals and, I promise, it’s painless. When you see the sense of relief on people’s faces, particularly in situations that are
emotionally draining, it’s so rewarding.”

Advocate for the voiceless

Scott pointed to her own family situation with her grandmother when she was a teenager growing up in Cleveland, as a catalyst for her in becoming an elder law and estate attorney, stating she knew early on she wanted to be an advocate for “the voiceless.”

And, just recently, Scott became a partner in the Oberlin law firm, stating she’s always had a little entrepreneur in her blood.

“In my heart, I’ve always wanted to do this and it was time to get a little skin in the game myself,” she smiled. “There are so many things that I enjoy doing and this allows me the flexibility to be able to be a wife, a mom, a grandmother.

“I’m involved in so many interesting things and with interesting people in the community and now being a partner in a well respected and established law firm is just the best of all worlds.”

Scott is a graduate of Cleveland State College of Law.

She serves as chair for the Board of Trustees for the Hispanic Business Center for Economic Development, which dedicates its efforts to helping
individuals start and grow their businesses while encouraging their economic development and supporting them through business programs and services.

Scott also serves on the pro bono committee of the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.

She has also been named a Super Lawyer Rising Star, is a graduate of Leadership Lorain County and was named a Notable Latino Leader by Crain’s Cleveland Business in 2023.

Sarringhaus and Scott is the latest incarnation of the Kurt G. Sarringhaus law firm, a fixture in Oberlin for the past 47 years.

Scott and her partner hope to expand the firm this year into Cuyahoga County.