David’s practice focuses on family wealth preservation, which includes estate planning, estate tax planning, and asset protection planning.
David Heller
Partner
About David Heller
David’s practice focuses on family wealth preservation, which includes estate planning, estate tax planning, and asset protection planning. David helps clients and their families create plans to protect the family wealth from “outsiders” such as creditors, ex-spouses and divorcing in-laws. Additionally, David’s advises clients on reducing their potential estate tax liability. Many of David’s plans combine asset protection planning, estate tax savings and planning for the family’s future generation. David also advises families with business succession issues, pre-marital agreements and charitable planning.
As an extension of his estate planning practice, David also handles the probate and administration of estates and trusts after an individual’s death and represents beneficiaries when controversies arise between family members. David can also help with conservatorship and guardian issues if a person becomes incapacitated.
Education
David graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University in 1984 with a double major in Information Systems and Math. He received his doctorate of jurisprudence with cum laude distinction from Widener University School of Law in 1994 and an LL.M. Masters in Tax Law, with honors, from Georgetown University in 1995.
Professional Honors & Awards
David has been awarded the top “AV” rating by Martindale- Hubbell. David is often a featured speaker at numerous seminars and teaches estate planning at various CLE courses.
David serves on several boards and committees for non-profit organizations throughout the middle Tennessee area.
Top Testimonials
“Have known David Heller and Sean Martin for 20+ years. Highly recommend both of them. Dave did the estate plans and wills for my family. Sean finalized a 20 year post divorce property settlement in the middle of COVID and the winter holiday season. Thanks for your hard work, guys.” – Sheryl
“MHPS is a top-notch estate planning firm. My firm works exclusively with affluent clients as a personal risk manager and insurance broker, so I get to see the work of many various attorneys. I’ve spent a significant amount of time interviewing estate attorneys looking for ones that understand their important role in overall risk management strategy for clients and MHPS is easily a favorite because of their expertise. Unlike many generalist attorneys, Dave Heller is on another level of expertise. He has been instrumental in explaining and teaching me his thoughts and techniques for estate planning. He’s always helpful in discussing ideas and strategies for my clients. Very few attorneys I’ve met with can do this and understand its importance in asset protection for clients. I’ve also known Matt Potempa as a friend for over 20 years and before he went to law school. While I haven’t needed his expertise for disputing an estate, I’m more than confident in his abilities. I’ve always respected him as a smart guy and with his niche focus, I would recommend him without hesitation.” – Ryan
“David is an excellent and abundantly experienced and qualified Estate Planner. He and I worked together in a large national law firm for several years. We still consult each other and make referrals to one another. I recommend David Heller for your estate planning needs in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee and Kentucky areas without any hesitation or reservation!” – Martin
“We had a very complicated issue with an old trust and to make things even more complicated we were also in a time crunch. We turned to David Heller who was professional, responsive & incredibly knowledgeable. He got the job done in a timely manner, which is exactly what we needed. Thank you, to David and everyone who works in his office. We had a fantastic experience and would absolutely use his services again.” – Hina
“I refer my large estate and trust clients to Dave Heller on the regular. If there is a will dispute – Matt Potempa is the man! This is a great firm with great attorneys! As an attorney, I’m happy to highly recommend this firm.” – Grover