ROBERT T. (Bob) PRIOR, J.D., LL.M, is an experienced and skilled attorney whose practice focuses on estate planning and administration, elder law, business planning and taxation.
Bob was born and raised in Madison and graduated from Morgan County High School. His father was a local lawyer and is a long time Superior Court Judge. His paternal grandfather was a cotton farmer in Morgan County and his maternal grandfather owned a small grocery store and furniture business in Madison. The Prior family cemetery (located in Apalachee) has ancestors dating back to the Revolution.
From high school, Bob received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Upon graduation from Annapolis in 1986, Bob followed a long family tradition and proudly served his country as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. He spent 11 years on active duty as a Marine infantry officer and later as a Judge Advocate General.
Upon leaving the Marine Corps in 1997, Bob returned to Georgia and for the past twenty two years has been in private practice. He was the founding partner of the Athens firm Prior, Daniel & Wiltshire, LLC which he formed with his longtime friend and fellow JAG, Michael Daniel. Upon Mr. Daniel’s untimely death in 2018, Bob formed Prior Law Firm to continue his specialty.
Bob specializes in estate and trust planning and administration, elder law, and business and tax planning. Bob takes a unique approach to dealing with his clients and spends time getting to know them and their families on both a professional and personal level. He educates them on the estate planning process and carefully advises them regarding the decisions they need to make to have an effective plan. He uses his education, expertise, and years of experience to ensure that each client and their families have the best possible customized estate plan to meet their needs and objectives.
Bob has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Academy. He graduated as valedictorian (magna cum laude) with a Juris Doctor from Mercer University Law School and as valedictorian (summa cum laude) with a Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Alabama. Bob is a member of WealthCounsel and ElderCounsel, organizations that provide a national professional support network to Estate Planning and Elder Law attorneys. He is also an active member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). NAELA attorneys are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and individuals of all ages with disabilities.
Bob has been very involved in his community. He is a Director at the Bank of Madison and Chairman of the Bank’s Asset and Liability Committee. He served 12 years on the Morgan County Board of Education (4 as chairman), 8 years on the Downtown Development Authority for Madison, Chairman of the Madison Chamber of Commerce, as a Deacon at Madison Baptist Church, and as a Director of the St. Mary’s Highland Hills Retirement Village.
Bob’s interests include sports, reading, fishing, and traveling. He is married to his high school sweetheart Mary Ann (née Cunningham). They have four wonderful adult children and one grandson, who is their pride and joy.
Bob’s main office is located just off the Oconee Connector at Three-Sixteen Professional Park. To better serve his clients, he has satellite offices on South Main Street in Madison and at Harmony Crossing at Lake Oconee.
With offices in Athens, Madison and Lake Oconee, we offer consultations at the office nearest you. Just call 706-389-9104 or 706-342-0606 or email [email protected] to start the process.
Practice areas
- Wills - Trusts (including Revocable Living Trust), Dynasty Trusts, Irrevocable Trusts, Life Insurance Trusts, Qualified Personal Residence Trusts, Retirement Trusts, Minors’ Trusts, Generation-Skipping Trusts - Gifting Programs - Asset Protection - Charitable Planning - Powers of Attorney - Health Care Directives - HIPAA Authorizations - Family Limited Partnerships - Business Succession
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
GA | Active Member in Good Standing | 1993 | 04/17/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Prior Law Firm | 2019 - Present |
Partner | Prior, Daniel & Wiltshire, LLC | 1998 - 2019 |
JAG | United States Marine Corps | 1986 - 1997 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
National Association of Elder Law Attorneys | 2011 - Present | |
WealthCounsel | 2009 - Present | |
ElderCounsel | 2009 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Southern Distinction | The Times, They Are A-Changin': Estate Planning in the Digital Age | 2016 |
Southern Distinction | Long Term Care: This Article May Shock You | 2016 |
Southern Distinction | Retirement Plans: The Overlooked Component Of An Estate Plan | 2016 |
Southern Distinction | Death & Taxes | 2015 |
Southern Distinction | What's The Deal With Estate Taxes? | 2015 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Alabama | LL.M - Master of Laws | 2015 |
Mercer University - Walter F. George School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1993 |
United States Naval Academy at Annapolis | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1986 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Speaking Engagement on Types of Contracts | Contracts | 2017 |
Posted by Harold
October 8, 2018
Posted by Faye
October 5, 2018
Posted by Judy
April 7, 2017
Posted by Susan
April 5, 2017
Posted by Ray
March 29, 2017
Posted by Melinda
March 25, 2017
Posted by Melanie
March 24, 2017
Robbie Ballard, Corporate and incorporation Attorney on Apr 20, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have referred several of my clients to Bob for representation in their corporate and estate planning matters. I did so because I knew Bob would represent them and their interests to the highest of standards. While many lawyers are versed enough to provide representation on basic estate planning matters, few are as adept as Bob in navigating the pitfalls of such a complex practice area. I have had the pleasure of representing clients with Bob in corporate matters and know from that experience that he provides exceptional representation and cares immensely about his clients. Without hesitation, I will have Bob represent me should the need ever arise.
Marcy Hanks, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 20, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have referred numerous clients to Bob for estate work. He is very knowledgeable and professional. Everyone that I have referred to him has been extremely pleased with his legal work. I highly recommend Bob for any estate planning and corporate legal issues.
J. Phillip Boston, Elder law Attorney on Feb 24, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Bob for many years, and we have consulted on cases together on numerous occasions. It is well known that Bob is an excellent elder law attorney-wills, estate planning, probate matters, etc.. Legal accomplishments aside, the most impressive aspect of Bob is his personality. I know that a client will be treated like a good friend, and will be kept well informed about the matter(s) entrusted to him. I strongly recommend Bob.
Morris Wiltshire, Elder law Attorney on Nov 5, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Bob Prior is widely regarded as the very best estate planning, trusts, and elder law attorney in Athens, Madison and all of North Georgia. His knowledge is deep, his experience is impressive and his honesty is palpable. Bob is very personable with a thorough and caring manner that allows his clients to relax and establish the rapport necessary to freely discuss their needs. Bob Prior stands head and shoulders above his peers in his broad understanding of the very complex issues prevalent in elder and estate law. A man of character, Bob has a strong sense of both personal and professional honor. I trust Bob and so should you.