“The very rich have access to the most advanced strategies to protect their wealth. I take great pride in bringing advanced asset protection strategies to farmers and middle class families.”
Dan presents informational seminars for seniors and their families throughout Ohio each week. These seminars cover estate planning and elder law topics such as how to protect your assets from catastrophic illness, how to avoid tax traps when transferring assets to children, and what you need to know about recent changes to the Social Security laws. He is also a contributing author to the book, Over the Hill and Under Obamacare, that discusses the impact of Obamacare on seniors.
Dan graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, and obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. After working for a Special Counsel to the Ohio Attorney General, Dan joined Cooper, Adel & Associates where he was promoted to Senior Associate Elder Law Attorney in 2012 and Partner in 2015. In 2019, Cooper, Adel, & Associates became Cooper, Adel, Vu & Associates to recognize Dan’s key role in the firm. Dan is among a select group of attorneys in the State of Ohio who have been admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in addition to receiving accreditation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dan is dually certified by the National Elder Law Foundation as a Certified Elder Law Attorney and the Ohio State Bar Association as a Specialist in the Area of Elder Law.
Dan and his wife were born and raised near Cincinnati. They have one son, born in 2018. They enjoy frequent visits to local museums and parks. In particular, they are proud members of the historical Cincinnati Museum Center. When not researching the latest estate planning techniques, Dan enjoys taking time to learn more about our country’s history. As they say, you can’t know where you are going until you know where you have been.
Interview
Growing up in an extended family, I believed that there was much to do to help seniors maximize their independence and minimize the stress and burden placed on loved ones when they get sick or pass away.
Where did you grow up?
Cincinnati – Fairfield, Ohio.
Why did you decide to become an attorney?
My main motivation was helping families.
Why did you decide to practice Estate Planning / Elder Law?
I always wanted to do something helpful. Everyone needs estate planning and many know someone who has needed long term care.
What do you love about helping the people of Ohio?
People in Ohio are burdened with complicated and stringent Medicaid rules.
What do you love about your job?
I am fortunate to help families navigate a complex area of the law.
Why Cooper, Adel, Vu? What is so unique about this firm?
Estate Planning, Elder Law, Tax and Financial advice is available under one roof and coordinated whenever it is need or desired. When they are NOT connected in some way, your Financial Advisor might think it’s your Tax person’s job to handle a certain problem. Your Tax person might think it’s your Attorney’s job and your Attorney might think it’s your Financial Advisor’s job. Really, each plays a role and each of them needs to work together to make sure all facets of your plan have been considered.
What is the firm’s main goal?
To create solutions for families so they don’t lose everything that they spent a lifetime to earn and to make sure that they don’t create a mess for their families after they’re gone.
Who are your clients?
People of all ages who are simply trying to figure out how to best protect their assets.
What do your clients mean to you?
Clients are like family to me. Their concerns are mine.
What do you hope to accomplish for your clients?
To put their minds at ease and protect what they’ve worked hard for their entire lives.
Why do you do this work? What drives you?
To make sure my clients’ hard work was worth it, by protecting their assets so they will be there for their families.
Why should clients need to consult with an attorney for Estate Planning & Elder Law?
Anything you do in terms of Estate and Elder Law Planning has pros and cons. It is incredibly difficult to identify and understand all of the potential consequences without seeking professional assistance.
What are your clients’ concerns? Worries?
They worry about the unknown. They worry about the burden they may leave to family members. They worry about losing their assets to a catastrophic healthcare crisis.
Why is it important to take care of your estate early?
There is no better time to plan than now. You never want to regret that you didn’t have something in place. You can generally protect more by planning in advance.
Favorite Quote
“The road of life is paved with flat squirrels who could not make a decision.”
Neil Postman
What saying do you live by?
“Work harder than everybody. You’re not going to get it by whining, and you’re not going to get it by shouting, and you’re not going to get it by quitting. You’re going to get it by being there.”
Barbara Walters
Accolades
