Mission

Our Mission is to serve the legal needs of senior and disabled Americans and their families, and particularly the legal problems of aging and disability, thereby enabling them to live happier and more productive lives to the extent of their capabilities.

History

The Dana Law Firm was founded in 1986 when Frank J. Dana III left the trust department of C&S Bank to form his own practice. At that time, the firm practiced in the areas of business law, real estate, and probate, but the emphasis was always probate matters, particularly conservatorships and guardianships.

While Frank has always helped clients with decedent's estates, he found himself drawn to "protective proceedings," probate matters involving living persons. Without any intention to be an elder law attorney, Frank found himself in the middle of a quintessential elder law area.

In May of 2000, Frank attended a national conference sponsored by the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the premier national organization for attorneys practicing elder law, and learned that what he was already doing was not very different from what elder law attorneys across the country were doing. That conference gave Frank a different view of his practice, and the Dana Law Firm was never the same. The firm name was changed in 2009 to Upstate Elder Law, P.A. to reflect the work that was being done for the clients.

Today, Upstate Elder Law, P.A. is devoted exclusively to the practice of elder law and serving the needs of its senior and disabled clients. In November of 2001, Frank passed the CELA exam and is one of the only Certified Elder Law Attorneys in South Carolina. CELA designates an attorney certified as an elder law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. In 2011, Frank Dana met Chad Groover, founder of the Groover Law Firm. Over the next few years, their paths continued to cross as Chad’s general litigation practice gravitated towards probate and elder law.

In July of 2013, Frank Dana and Chad Groover merged their practices.  Upstate Elder Law continues to be a leader in the elder law community both locally and regionally.

Firm Culture

Upstate Elder Law, P.A. is a resource in the Upstate of South Carolina in the areas of both elder law and special needs planning. Because of our small size, we are able to provide our clients with a more personal level of attention.

• We make every effort to treat you with respect, dignity, and compassion. 
• We strive to be a diligent and hardworking advocate for the aging and disabled.
• We listen to your concerns, hopes, frustrations, as well as your ideas.
• We do not strive to be the lowest cost producer; we do strive to offer an excellent product and superior service.
• We do not provide cookie cutter solutions; we do recognize how truly unique every client is. No two clients are the same, and no single approach will work for everyone.
• We work alongside the best professionals in the Upstate to provide referrals for our clients when part of the solution involves other services outside the legal realm.

We know that the legal process can be a scary and confusing place, and we want your experience with us to be easy and educational with as little stress and disruption as possible. We value the families and individuals who seek our assistance, and we seek to be a strong champion for them. We provide a personal touch that is unusual in the field of law.

As a client of Upstate Elder Law, P.A., you may get to know every member of our staff. Like careful attorneys in any area of the law, we only render advice or opinions with adequate knowledge of a client's situation. For that reason, we always ask for information and review client documents before giving our recommendations.