Law Firm Overview

Dan Munster received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University in 1990.  He went on to graduate from the University of Detroit School of Law where he was published on Law Review and clerked for the Michigan Supreme Court.

Daniel D. Munster & Associates was founded in 1999 after Dan worked for four years representing indigent senior citizens as a staff attorney with the Senior Citizens Law Project, a division of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. Since its inception, Daniel D. Munster & Associates' primary area of practice has been elder law with an emphasis on Medicaid planning. Also known as "asset protection" or "avoiding spend down", Medicaid planning is simply the process of working within applicable state and federal regulations to achieve eligibility for assistance prior to exhaustion of life savings that might otherwise occur as a result of the excessive cost of nursing home care. Because planning opportunities in Georgia are fairly progressive, it is quite possible for a resident to ethically and legally achieve eligibility in a matter of a few weeks instead of the five years often required in other states.  In addition to complex Medicaid planning, the firm can also assist with estate planning and planning for disability through powers of attorney or special needs trusts. While the firm's office is in Atlanta, our practice extends throughout the entire state of Georgia.

            Dan regularly teaches elder law to other attorneys, having previously presented on such topics as Medicaid and Medicaid Planning, advanced directives, guardianship, and elder law litigation before the Office of State Administrative Hearings.  In addition, he regularly participates in community education programs presented at churches, senior centers, assisted living facilities and the many other places that senior citizens tend to congregate.  He has conducted Elder Law classes for the Evening at Emory program, appeared as a guest attorney on The Layman's Lawyer television show, and been featured on WGST radio.  Moreover, he contributed to the book A Will Is Not Enough In Georgia and has also been published in various periodicals, including the Georgia Bar Journal, Elder Law Today, and Lifestyle Transitions Magazine.  Dan is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Atlanta Bar Association, the Atlanta Estate Planning Council, and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.  Dan has served as chair of the State Bar of Georgia YLD Elder Law Committee, served on the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Georgia Elder Law Section, and served on the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Bar Association Elder Law Section.  Dan is a member of the Georgia Lifelong Planning Advisory.  

We are proud to announce that for a third consecutive year, Dan Munster has been selected as a Georgia Super Lawyer in the category of Elder Law.  In 2009, just five attorneys in private practice throughout Georgia received this distinction.  The Super Lawyer moniker is given to no more than 5% of all practicing attorneys in each state and suggests a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement in the attorney's area of practice. Selection as a Super Lawyer follows a lengthy nomination process followed by a review of the attorney's professional credentials by both Super Lawyer peers and a panel of experts.

Finally, Dan maintains a Martindale Hubbell rating of AV:  

AV Peer Review Rating shows that a lawyer has reached the height of professional excellence. He or she has usually practiced law for many years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.

Areas of Practice

• Nursing Home Medicaid Planning 80%
• Special Needs Trusts/Disability Planning 5%
• Estate Planning 15%

Honors and Awards

• Board of Directors - State Bar of Georgia, Elder Law Section, 2001 - Present
• Board of Directors - Atlanta Bar Association, Elder Law Section, 2000 - Present

Classes and Seminars

• Elder Law - Medicaid, Georgia Institute on Continuing Legal Education, 2002
• Elder Law - Medicaid, Cobb Bar Association, 2002

Pro Bono Activities

• Alzheimers Association Lawyer Referral, 1999 - Present
• Life Enrichment Services Advisory Board, 2001 - Present

Representative Clients

• Individuals with Medicaid, Estate or Disability Planning Needs

West Practice Categories

Estate Planning, Elder Law, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney and Appointment, Trusts, Wills, Health & Health Care Law, Medicare & Medicaid, Nursing Home