Counselor and Attorney at Law

Debbie is a 1985 graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law, magna cum laude; 1981 graduate of Siena Heights College, B.A. in Business Administration and Management, summa cum laude; and 1975 graduate of Davis College, summa cum laude. After Davis College, Debbie began work as a paralegal while pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree. She received the Outstanding Achievement in Business Administration award from Siena Heights College at graduation.

Debbie was admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court of Ohio in 1985. In 2005 Debbie obtained her Gerontology Certificate from Mercy College. In 2008, the first year that accreditation was offered, she was accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to prepare, present, and prosecute claims for the Veterans Pension before the Department, and she maintained that accreditation through 2020. She is a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Debbie’s passion for elder law and planning for the financial devastation of long term care led her to obtain her Ohio life and health insurance licenses, in order to provide clients with a broader range of LTC planning solutions. She is a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals.

Debbie has volunteered with service on Boards of Directors for Davis College, Planned Pethood, and the Lutheran Home of Toledo. She has been a member and officer of various professional organizations throughout her career. As an almost 20-year member of Business Networking International, she received the Networker of the Year Award for Northwest Ohio (2010). In 2000 she received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Davis College. Previously she was awarded the 1992 Alumni Award by the Ohio Council of Private Colleges & Schools.

Both Debbie and her law partner, Chris E. Steiner, are frequent speakers on legal topics for groups upon request and are authors or co-authors of several books. Please see the Our Books page for details.

Debbie was raised in Elyria, Ohio, before moving to Toledo to attend Davis College.  She and Brian M. Carder, her husband of over 43 years, live in Maumee with their yellow lab, Olive. Debbie enjoys reading, music, driving her husband’s golf cart, gourmet cooking classes, antiquing and road trips. Her passion beyond Brian and law is card making.  She leads “Cards for Vets NW OH” on Facebook.  She loves dogs and hopes to volunteer for a service dog organization in her golden years.