About Carol A
Carol A — Sobczak is an attorney specializing in estate planning, probate, and tax law. Admitted to practice in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and California, she has built a comprehensive legal career that spans over three decades. Carol earned her Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law in 1988, following her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Utah, which she obtained in 1984. Her academic background laid the foundation for her expertise in legal writing and analysis. In 2015, Carol joined Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP in Toledo, Ohio, as a staff attorney in the trusts and estates practice group. Her role involves planning and administering both large and small estates, as well as focusing on charitable and gift planning.
Additionally, she specializes in business succession planning, income and estate tax planning, and planning for special needs beneficiaries. Throughout her career, Carol has represented both fiduciaries and beneficiaries in contested probate and trust estates, demonstrating her ability to navigate complex legal challenges. Before her tenure at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, Carol contributed to legal education as a professor. She taught Estate Planning and Federal Estate & Gift Taxation at the University of Toledo College of Law. Additionally, she instructed students in Legal Writing at Northwestern University School of Law. Her commitment to education extended beyond the classroom; she volunteered her time to educate the community on special needs trusts, reflecting her dedication to public service and community engagement.
Carol is actively involved in several professional organizations, enhancing her connections within the legal community. She is a member of the Toledo Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association's Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Section. Additionally, she is affiliated with the State Bar of Michigan's Probate & Estate Planning Section and the Illinois State Bar's Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Her commitment to professional development is further exemplified by her membership in the American Bar Association's Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section. In 2025, Carol retired from her active legal practice, concluding a distinguished career that has left a lasting impact on her clients and the community. As a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Law, certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, her contributions to estate planning have been significant.
Carol is also a founding member of the St. Thomas More Society of Toledo and serves on the board of the Toledo Bar Association's Pro Bono Committee. Her legacy in the field of law is marked by her unwavering dedication to her clients and her community.
