Search Articles

Find Attorneys

;

David L. Robbins

Brandt & Robbins, P.C.

David L. Robbins

Brandt & Robbins, P.C.

David L. Robbins

Brandt & Robbins, P.C.

A native Pennsylvanian, Dave is a 2005 graduate of Penn State University with a B.A. in Sociology and a 2009 graduate of The Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Virginia where he received his Juris Doctorate in 2009. Dave originally opened a small, solo practice in Elizabethton, Tennessee. During his time in Elizabethton, Dave handled a wide array of cases including a stand as a special contractor for the First Judicial District Public Defender’s Office. During his practice, Dave has litigated cases in eight counties in Northeast Tennessee, representing clients at all trial levels including on appeal before the Tennessee Court of Appeals and in the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. Additionally, Dave has handled complex matters involving Probate, Conservatorship, Business litigation and other litigation pertaining to Elder Law issues. Dave's passion to serve the senior community led him to his current position where he works with Fred and Derek in the areas of Estate Planning, Probate, Conservatorship, Medicaid Planning, and Real Estate. Dave has previously served as a board member to the Dawn of Hope in Johnson City and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Crossroads as well as on the board of the Tennessee Recovery Coalition, and the Drop Collaborative. Dave is also an active member of the Washington County Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association, (Probate and Estate Planning Division), and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. 

Firm Description

ESTATE PLANNING
Estate Planning is probably summed up best by the term “planning.” Our firm utilizes a results oriented approach. We take a holistic approach by getting to know our clients and offering different suggestions and options based upon our client’s ultimate goals.
Some of the documents that we may use in creating a plan include:

  • Last Will and Testaments
  • Revocable Living Trusts
  • Joint Trusts
  • Community Property Trusts
  • Asset Protection Trusts
  • Spendthrift Trusts
  • Durable Powers of Attorney
  • Healthcare Powers of Attorney
  • Advanced Medical Directives (i.e., Living Wills)
  • Prenuptial Agreements

Elder Law
The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys defines Elder Law not with a technical legal description, but defines Elder Law as the type of client served. Servicing senior citizens and individuals with special needs encompasses its own set of challenges and requires drawing from a vast array of knowledge and experience.
In an effort to meet those needs, we offer the following services:

  • Medicaid Qualifying Trusts (including Miller’s Trusts or Qualified Income Trusts)
  • Disability Planning
  • Conservatorships and Guardianships
  • Special Needs Trusts

Probate
Our firm has decades of experience in opening and administering estates. In addition to assisting the Personal Representative in probating an estate, we offer the following services:

  • Beneficiary Representation
  • Will Contests
  • Creditor Representation
  • Spousal Entitlement Claims
  • Small Estate Affidavit Preparation
  • Fiduciary Representation

Hours

Day From To
Monday 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM 4:00 PM

Cost

What Is an Elder Law Attorney?

Main Office

206 Princeton Road
Suite 25
Johnson City, TN 37601

On the web

View Firm Website


Medicaid 101
What Medicaid Covers

In addition to nursing home care, Medicaid may cover home care and some care in an assisted living facility. Coverage in your state may depend on waivers of federal rules.

READ MORE
How to Qualify for Medicaid

To be eligible for Medicaid long-term care, recipients must have limited incomes and no more than $2,000 (in most states). Special rules apply for the home and other assets.

READ MORE
Medicaid’s Protections for Spouses

Spouses of Medicaid nursing home residents have special protections to keep them from becoming impoverished.

READ MORE
What Medicaid Covers

In addition to nursing home care, Medicaid may cover home care and some care in an assisted living facility. Coverage in your state may depend on waivers of federal rules.

READ MORE
How to Qualify for Medicaid

To be eligible for Medicaid long-term care, recipients must have limited incomes and no more than $2,000 (in most states). Special rules apply for the home and other assets.

READ MORE
Medicaid’s Protections for Spouses

Spouses of Medicaid nursing home residents have special protections to keep them from becoming impoverished.

READ MORE
Medicaid Planning Strategies

Careful planning for potentially devastating long-term care costs can help protect your estate, whether for your spouse or for your children.

READ MORE
Estate Recovery: Can Medicaid Take My House After I’m Gone?

If steps aren't taken to protect the Medicaid recipient's house from the state’s attempts to recover benefits paid, the house may need to be sold.

READ MORE
Help Qualifying and Paying for Medicaid, Or Avoiding Nursing Home Care

There are ways to handle excess income or assets and still qualify for Medicaid long-term care, and programs that deliver care at home rather than in a nursing home.

READ MORE
Are Adult Children Responsible for Their Parents’ Care?

Most states have laws on the books making adult children responsible if their parents can't afford to take care of themselves.

READ MORE
Applying for Medicaid

Applying for Medicaid is a highly technical and complex process, and bad advice can actually make it more difficult to qualify for benefits.

READ MORE
Alternatives to Medicaid

Medicare's coverage of nursing home care is quite limited. For those who can afford it and who can qualify for coverage, long-term care insurance is the best alternative to Medicaid.

READ MORE
ElderLaw 101
Estate Planning

Distinguish the key concepts in estate planning, including the will, the trust, probate, the power of attorney, and how to avoid estate taxes.

READ MORE
Grandchildren

Learn about grandparents’ visitation rights and how to avoid tax and public benefit issues when making gifts to grandchildren.

READ MORE
Guardianship/Conservatorship

Understand when and how a court appoints a guardian or conservator for an adult who becomes incapacitated, and how to avoid guardianship.

READ MORE
Health Care Decisions

We need to plan for the possibility that we will become unable to make our own medical decisions. This may take the form of a health care proxy, a medical directive, a living will, or a combination of these.

READ MORE
Estate Planning

Distinguish the key concepts in estate planning, including the will, the trust, probate, the power of attorney, and how to avoid estate taxes.

READ MORE
Grandchildren

Learn about grandparents’ visitation rights and how to avoid tax and public benefit issues when making gifts to grandchildren.

READ MORE
Guardianship/Conservatorship

Understand when and how a court appoints a guardian or conservator for an adult who becomes incapacitated, and how to avoid guardianship.

READ MORE
Health Care Decisions

We need to plan for the possibility that we will become unable to make our own medical decisions. This may take the form of a health care proxy, a medical directive, a living will, or a combination of these.

READ MORE
Long-Term Care Insurance

Understand the ins and outs of insurance to cover the high cost of nursing home care, including when to buy it, how much to buy, and which spouse should get the coverage.

READ MORE
Medicare

Learn who qualifies for Medicare, what the program covers, all about Medicare Advantage, and how to supplement Medicare’s coverage.

READ MORE
Retirement Planning

We explain the five phases of retirement planning, the difference between a 401(k) and an IRA, types of investments, asset diversification, the required minimum distribution rules, and more.

READ MORE
Senior Living

Find out how to choose a nursing home or assisted living facility, when to fight a discharge, the rights of nursing home residents, all about reverse mortgages, and more.

READ MORE
Social Security

Get a solid grounding in Social Security, including who is eligible, how to apply, spousal benefits, the taxation of benefits, how work affects payments, and SSDI and SSI.

READ MORE
Special Needs Planning

Learn how a special needs trust can preserve assets for a person with disabilities without jeopardizing Medicaid and SSI, and how to plan for when caregivers are gone.

READ MORE
Veterans Benefits

Explore benefits for older veterans, including the VA’s disability pension benefit, aid and attendance, and long-term care coverage for veterans and surviving spouses.

READ MORE