Meet Your Attorneys

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IN RACHAEL'S WORDS:

A native to the Dayton area, I went to high school at Archbishop Alter and received my bachelor's degree from the University of Dayton.   I have been a licensed and practicing attorney in the State of Ohio since 2004 when I graduated from The Ohio State Moritz College of Law with my Juris Doctor.  I spent 14 years in litigation before finding my true calling as an Elder Law attorney and counselor. This change of paths now allows me to focus on helping families navigate the challenges that naturally arise amidst long-term care uncertainties and end of life planning.  

Since dedicating my practice full-time to Elder Law, I am proud to have earned the title and distinction of being certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation.  This certification is the highest level of specialty for Elder Law attorneys, and it pushes me to remain at the front edge of Elder Law planning.  It allows me to provide the counsel and service my clients and their families need and deserve.  I am also certified with the Veteran's Administration to assist in helping war time veterans and their surviving spouses obtain special benefits to help with long term care.  

I believe strongly in the ability for seniors to have self-determination in the decision-making process regarding their care.  I also believe in compassion, empathy, and listening.  My job is to hear my clients concerns, help them discover unknown or unanticipated issues, and work through them to provide options we implement together.  I am honored everyday to be able to build relationships with clients and their families, educating and counseling them through what is one of the most difficult times in their lives.  

Outside of my daily duties and responsibilities as a Certified Elder Law Attorney, I am the proud mother of 4 children: ages 11, 10, 8 and 4.  I spend time coaching them in soccer and cheering them on in their many other extracurricular activities, including dance, basketball and baseball.  There's rarely a quiet moment in my house!  I enjoy running, competing in races and spending time in the outdoors.  I am also lucky enough to have the ability to spend time with my extended family, including two great nephews, who reside locally in Dayton.

You can email me directly at Rachael@HMEstatePlanning.com.

IN MIKE'S WORDS:

I was born and raised in Harrison, Ohio, the last town along I-74 on the way to Indy.  I am forever grateful for having attended St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati.  I continued my education at Saint Louis University (Go Billikens!) in St. Louis, MO, where I studied philosophy and received my Certificate in Business Administration.  I then received my Juris Doctor from Northern Kentucky University in 2006.  

Early in my life, when the dream of being a baseball player, an astronaut, or a baseball-playing astronaut faded, I just knew I was going to be an attorney.  My father, my inspiration, is also an attorney.  He has always practiced with the highest level of skill, integrity, and decency to others.  From a very young age, it honestly never occurred to me to be anything else.  The early years of my career were spent in a variety of fields of the law.  Eventually, estate planning found me, and there was no looking back.  I am blessed to to be able to make a living by helping families protect what they've worked so hard to earn, to make things better and easier for their loved ones.  

I have been a full-time estate planner since 2014.  I have dedicated myself to education, both for me and for my clients, to ensure I am able to provide the technical know-how along with honest and heart-felt counseling.  My approach to estate planning is built upon my knowledge and training, but it is exponentially improved by what I learn from clients and their stories. I am comfortable helping families implement simple and complex estate planning strategies, advising on tax and asset protection considerations, and educating and counseling my clients along the way.  The lasting and meaningful relationships with my clients is why I'm in this business.

I have served as faculty for Wealth Counsel State Forums,  the National Business Institute, HalfMoon Education, and others. I've taught attorneys and CPAs on a variety of subjects, including basic estate planning, trust taxation, IRA planning, and irrevocable trust modification.  And just this year, I was recognized by Ohio Lawyer Magazine as a Rising Star in Estate Planning. 

When I'm not in the office, I'm at home  in Springboro with my beautiful wife, my brilliant step-son, and my adorable baby girl.  My son, Maximilian, passed away in 2020, but his spirit pushes me to be the best human I can be.  I have to admit, my favorite pastime is spending time with the family, including Game Night! For the record, I hold the longest Game Night winning streak.  And I LOVE sports. I'm an FC Cincinnati season ticket member since the beginning, and I'm a long-time Cincinnati Reds fan.  When I'm not consuming sports, I'm working on personal development, trying local restaurants, or just sitting by the fire pit out back, thankful for what I've got. 

Feel free to drop me a line at Mike@HMEstatePlanning.com.