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- Debra Dandar
About Debra
I understand how hard it is for people with medical and financial issues who need help. My own grandmother who recently passed away at 94 years of age helped me to understand the issues that Seniors and those with disabilities face.
My passion is to help Seniors and Veterans to obtain the benefits that they need and deserve to help with the cost of long term care, while also trying to protect the assets for which they have worked hard all their lives. I can help you to come up with a plan to meet whatever crisis you may be facing.
We also handle estate planning, with a focus on asset preservation and probate avoidance. We prepare Wills, Trusts (irrevocable and revocable), Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate Designations, Living Wills, Deeds (including Lady Bird deeds), and other necessary documents to ensure that your assets pass to your intended beneficiaries upon your death.
After a loved one has passed, we also handle probate and trust administration so that you may transfer assets to the heirs or beneficiaries of your deceased loved one.
In addition to my J.D. (Juris Doctor) in Law, I also hold an LL.M. (Masters of Law) in Elder Law. I am a member of NAELA (the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys), and AFELA, the Association of Florida Elder Law Attorneys. I am also a VA Accredited Attorney.
My office is conveniently located one-half block East of South Dale Mabry, about 1.3 miles south of Interstate 275. We assist clients throughout the Tampa Bay area, including, Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. We have a comfortable office with a large parking lot behind our building, handicapped ramp, and handicapped facilities.
I welcome the opportunity to be of service to you. Please call my office to schedule an appointment. I will be happy to meet with you to discuss your options.
Sincerely,
Debra L. Dandar, J.D., LL.M.
VA Accredited Attorney
Tampa Bay Elder Law Center
Helping Seniors and the Families That Care for Them
Practice areas
- Elder law: 35%
I handle Medicaid and Veterans' benefits planning, and prepare Elder Law Powers of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate Designations, and Living Wills as well as Lady Bird deeds, Revocable Living Trusts, and irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts. I have an LL.M. (Masters of Law degree) in Elder Law, and I am also accredited to practice before the Veterans' Administration.
- Probate: 35%
Probate administration can be difficult and confusing. We know that the loss of a hard one is hard enough without having to navigate a complex legal system. We can help you to handle your estate or trust administration, and enable you to move forward. You may even be surprised to learn that probate is not necessary. Give us a call to see how we can help.
- Estate planning: 30%
We assist clients of all ages, but our primary focus is on Seniors. Our goal is to help you to avoid probate, and to ensure that your wishes are followed after your death. We prepare Wills and Trusts, as well as Durable Power of Attorney, Deeds, (including Lady Bird deeds), Health Care Surrogate Designations and Living Wills.
Languages spoken
English
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Contact
Debra Dandar
3611 West Azeele Street
361
Tampa, FL, 33609
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| FL | Member in Good Standing | 1997 | 10/11/2021 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| A+ Rating | Better Business Bureau | 2015 |
| A+ Rating | Better Business Bureau | 2014 |
| A+ Rating | Better Business Bureau | 2013 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Law Office of Debra L. Dandar, now known as Tampa Bay Elder Law Center | 2001 - Present |
| Associate Attorney | Law Offices of Wm. Fletcher Belcher | 1997 - 2000 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Penick Inns of Court | Master | 2014 - Present |
| Florida Bar, Elder Law Section, Medicaid Committee | Member | 2014 - Present |
| Florida Bar Elder Law Section, VA Committee | Member | 2013 - Present |
| ElderCounsel | Member | 2011 - Present |
| Florida Bar, Elder Law Section | Member | 2011 - Present |
| Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section | Member | 2011 - Present |
|---|---|---|
| National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys | N/A | 2009 - Present |
| Accredited to Practice Before the Veterans Administration | N/A | 2009 - Present |
| Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys | N/A | 2009 - Present |
| Hillsborough County Bar Association, Elder Law Section | N/A | 2009 - Present |
| Hillsborough County Bar Association, Elder Law Section | Co-Chair Elder Law Section | 2014 - 2016 |
| Hillsborough County Pro Bono Committee | Member | 2014 - 2016 |
| St. Petersburg Bar Association, Probate and Guardianship Section | N/A | 1997 - 2014 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine | Jan/Feb 2015 "Lawyer" magazine | 2015 |
| National Business Institute Seminar | Medicaid Crisis Planning and Benefits Restoration | 2014 |
| National Business Institute Seminar | Long Term Care Planning Challenges and Concerns | 2014 |
| Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine | Sept/Oct 2014 "Lawyer" magazine | 2014 |
| Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine | Nov/Dec 2014 "Laywer" magazine | 2014 |
| Paraclete - Publication of the St. Petersburg Bar Association | Former Contributing Author and Member of Editorial Board | N/A |
|---|
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Stetson University College of Law | LL.M - Master of Laws | 2009 |
| Stetson University College of Law | Juris Doctorate | 1997 |
| University of South Florida | Bachelor | 1994 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Elder Law | Advanced Elder Law | 2014 |
| Positively Tampa Bay | Use of Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate and Living Wills | 2013 |
| Sponsor - Taking Action for Your Parents | Elder Law | 2013 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Medicaid and VA Benefits Planning | Approval for Benefits |
Debra has never let us down
5.0 stars
Posted by Carolyn
November 11, 2016
Elder Law Counsel
5.0 stars
Posted by Cheryl
July 25, 2014
A High Recommendation for Attorney Debra Dandar
5.0 stars
Posted by Jan
June 20, 2014
Experience with Attorney Debra Dandar
5.0 stars
Posted by James
June 19, 2014
Estate Planning Law Services
5.0 stars
Posted by Bill
June 19, 2014
A Whole-hearted Recommendation
5.0 stars
Posted by Jim
July 13, 2011
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Attorney endorsements
(7)
Jamil Daoud, Probate Attorney on Apr 11, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Debra is extremely knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.
Carol Moody, Elder law Attorney on Oct 13, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Debra is very well-respected in the legal community, having served as both chair and co-chair of the Elder Law Section of the Hillsborough County Bar Assoc. She is a mentor for Bay Area Legal Services and is knowledgeable, professional, and compassionate.
Jamil Daoud, Probate Attorney on Apr 11, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Debra is extremely knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.
Carol Moody, Elder law Attorney on Oct 13, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Debra is very well-respected in the legal community, having served as both chair and co-chair of the Elder Law Section of the Hillsborough County Bar Assoc. She is a mentor for Bay Area Legal Services and is knowledgeable, professional, and compassionate.
Javier Centonzio, Elder law Attorney on Oct 9, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Debra is an extremely knowledgeable and compassionate elder law attorney. She is very involved in the elder law community and is always willing to help others. I enthusiastically endorse elder law attorney Debra Dandar.
Julia Chase, Elder law Attorney on Jul 14, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Debra for several years and have asked her for guidance in the area of elder law and probate. As a family law attorney, I have seen her work product via clients that have come into my office for divorce and have trusts that were authored by Debra. I am impressed with the thoroughness and detail of her trust documents. If you want a highly skilled and compassionate lawyer, look no further. I sincerely endorse Debra.
Mindi Lasley, Elder law Attorney on Apr 8, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ms. Dandar is an exceptional elder law and estate planning attorney. She has a solid reputation for providing her clients with skilled and expert advice regarding medicaid planning, wills, trusts, assisting Veterans in obtaining VA benefits and a litany of other services one would not anticipate planning for. I have found as a family law attorney that these services are often underutilized, and clients often wait too late to see an elder law attorney, which can cost them a significant amount of money in the future, for themselves and their loved ones. I trust Ms. Dandar to handle wills, trusts, and all elder law issues I need for myself and my parents, and I believe you should do the same.
William Rambaum, Elder law Attorney on Jan 23, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Debra is very active in the Elder Law community. She is very knowledgeable and highly competent. She is dedicated to her clients. I worked with her on one highly complex case. She served as an expert witness for me. She worked very hard, did great research, and did an outstanding job for me in court. I wouldn't hesitate to use her again, and I would recommend her without hesitation to clients and other lawyers.
John Caskey, Probate Attorney on Dec 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I worked with Debra on several matters and have been impressed with her organization, strategies, and analytical abilities. She is knowledgeable and ethical. Perhaps most importantly, she has a genuine concern for her clients and their families.