Dayton, OH attorney Ted Gudorf, J.D., LL.M., was recently awarded the top rating of AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubble. According to the rating organization, "AV Preeminent is a significant rating accomplishment. It is a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence." Only the top five percent of attorneys are awarded this designation. For over 140 years, Martindale-Hubble has been the premier attorney rating firm in the country.

Two years ago, Ted completed his post-doctorate degree at Western New England College in Springfield, Mass., where he received his Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in Estate Planning and Elder Law. Ted began working towards his LL.M. in 2008 and finished in 2010. The degree required numerous income tax and estate courses, along with courses specifically in elder law and estate planning. Ted was the first attorney in Ohio to receive a LL.M. in Estate Planning and Elder Law.

"There is no doubt that going back to law school for an additional two years to obtain my LL.M. played a factor in obtaining the AV Preeminent rating. I am extremely proud of this accomplishment and believe that it will enable our firm to grow and expand as a boutique law firm," says Gudorf.

Another contributing factor to Ted receiving this award is that this past year he celebrated his 25th anniversary of practicing law. For the last nineteen years Ted has owned his own law firm, Gudorf Law Group, LLC.

AVVO, an organization that recognizes excellence in lawyers and doctors, also ranked Gudorf Law Group among the country's top law firms. AVVO scored the firm a perfect 10 out of 10 in experience, industry recognition, and professional conduct.

Founded in 1992, Gudorf Law Group, LLC is an AV rated boutique law firm with an emphasis on estate planning and elder law. The firm's practice necessarily includes wills, trusts, guardianships, Medicaid planning, tax planning, and veterans aid and attendance. The firm also helps families who are in crisis find a way to pay for nursing home costs. Gudorf Law Group, LLC is located in Dayton, Ohio at 8141 N. Main St.

As a Dayton estate planning lawyer specializing in estate law and elder law, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Martindale-Hubble recently awarded me their top rating: AV Preeminent.

What’s particularly special about this rating is that it is a peer-reviewed rating, meaning other lawyers, including other Ohio attorneys, decided that my experience, knowledge, judgment and abilities are of the highest caliber. It’s gratifying to know fellow layers think we belong in the premier category. Only the top 5% of attorneys ever receive this rating.

Free Estate Planning Seminars: 2012 Schedule Online Now – Reserve Your Spot

Our free estate planning seminars cover everything from how to avoid estate tax and planning for long term health care needs to the use of living trusts and irrevocable trusts for asset protection. If you live in the Dayton area and have any questions about planning for the future of your estate or wonder what kind of planning you should do, plan to attend one of these seminars.

Medical power of attorney (also called healthcare power of attorney) allows you to designate another person(s) to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unconscious or mentally incapacitated.

My daughter recently turned 20 and is headed to Rome for her fall semester of college. Since she’s an adult, we no longer have authority to make medical decisions or see her medical records unless she gives it to us. So making sure that my wife and I could do these things on her behalf should an emergency arise was a top priority for me. If you have adult children going out on their own, it’s a good idea to take the same steps we did.

Welcome to our new blog. After nearly 25 years of practicing law, I decided it would be fun to share with you some of my insights on the law in general, and specifically on the law as it pertains to estate planning and elder law.

Last week a middle aged acquaintance referred his 85 year old parents to our firm to review the trusts another attorney had created nearly 15 years ago. In making the referral, he said, “our family just wants to know that someone we trust will be there when the time comes.” In other words, getting you on board early will give our family peace of mind. I was thrilled! Finally, someone understood the essence of what we do.