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Patrick C. Smith Jr.

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About Patrick

PATRICK C. SMITH, JR., Board Certified Elder Law Attorney, is the principal and founder of The Smith Law Firm, P.C., with offices located in Augusta, Conyers, and Warner Robins, Georgia. The Firm was founded to offer qualified estate planning and asset protection legal advice to families in many areas, but primarily for families facing an increasingly common dilemma: protecting their hard-earned assets from the costs associated with providing long term care for a loved one, while also achieving the highest level of care possible. At The Smith Law Firm, Patrick focuses his practice solely in Elder Law, and provides sound, proven legal solutions to our clients' Medicaid, Veteran's Benefits, Asset Protection Planning and Special Needs planning needs.

Mr. Smith earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Emory University School of Law, where he was awarded the Atlanta Law School Fellowship. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy, and also a Master's degree in Public Policy and Administration from Georgia College & State University. Mr. Smith is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and was an officer (secretary in 2010, President in 2011) in the Georgia Chapter of NAELA; the Academy of Special Needs Planners; the Academy of V.A. Pension Planners; Lawyers With Purpose; ElderCounsel; WealthCounsel; Elder Law Answers; Georgia Bar Association and its Elder Law Section; American Bar Association; and the Augusta Bar Association. He is licensed to practice law in all state courts in Georgia, and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of Georgia.

Practice areas

OtherGuardianshipProbateEstate planningElder law
  1. Elder law: 60%

    Our firm focuses on the many different areas of elder law. We solve and help you navigate the complex issues families face when a loved one needs long term care or they need to plan for a disabled family member. Medicaid planning properly performed can protect assets from the costs of long term care, provide assets to help pay for care in order to enhance the quality of life of the person who can no longer take care of themselves. Numerous planning options exist.

    16 years

  2. Estate planning: 15%

    Comprehensive estate planning covers nearly every aspect of life. It begins with protecting yourself and your personal dignity, and extends to protecting your loved ones and your hard-earned assets.

    16 years

  3. Probate: 5%

  4. Guardianship: 5%

  1. Trusts: 5%

  2. Wills and living wills: 5%

  3. Power of attorney: 5%

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

514832 1500476126

514832 1500476176

Contact

3549 Wheeler Road
address map

The Smith Law Firm, P.C.

3549 Wheeler Road
Augusta, GA, 30909

The CELA

The Smith Law Firm, P.C.

327 Margie Drive
Suite A
Warner Robins, GA, 31088

The Smith Law Firm, P.C.

2385 Wall Street, SE
Conyers, GA, 30013

The Smith Law Firm, PC

487 Cherry Street
Third Floor
Macon, GA, 31201

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
GAActive Member in Good Standing 200211/19/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers9
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Certified Elder Law AttorneyNational Elder Law FoundationN/A
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Managing Partner / OwnerThe Smith Law Firm, P.C.2003 - Present
Associate AttorneyHull, Towill, Norman, Barrett & Salley2001 - 2003
ReservesUnited States Air Force Reserves1998 - 2013
Officer / Active DutyUnited States Air Force1993 - 1998
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
National Academy of Elder Law AttorneysMemberN/A
Academy of Special Needs PlannersMemberN/A
Academy of V.A. Pension PlannersMemberN/A
Lawyers with PurposeMemberN/A
ElderCounselMemberN/A
Elder Law AnswersMemberN/A
State Bar of Georgia, Elder Law SectionMemberN/A
American Bar AssociationMemberN/A
Augusta Bar AssociationMemberN/A
National Academy of Elder Law AttorneysPresident2011 - 2012
National Academy of Elder Law AttorneysSecretary2010 - 2011
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
The Smith Law Firm, P.C.Medicaid Module 1: Medicaid Basic Eligibility Rules2017
The Smith Law Firm, P.C.Medicaid Module 2: Medicaid Income Rules2017
The Smith Law Firm, P.C.Medicaid Module 3: Medicaid Asset Rules2017
The Smith Law Firm, P.C.Medicaid Module 4: Medicaid Estate Recovery Liens2017
The Smith Law Firm, P.C.Medicaid Module 5: Burial Allowances & Life Insurance Rules2017
The Smith Law Firm, P.C.Medicaid Module 6: Medicaid Asset Transfer Rules & Penalties2017
The Smith Law Firm, P.C.Medicaid Module 7: Crisis Case Examples of How We Help Families2017
The Smith Law Firm, P.C.Medicaid Module 8: Pre-Planning Examples: How to Plan Ahead2017
The Smith Law Firm. P.C.Medicaid Module 9: What is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) & Why Do I Need One?2017
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Emory Universitylaw2001
Georgia College & State UniversityPublic Policy and Administration1998
United States Air Force AcademyBS - Bachelor of Science1993

Reviews

(4)
5 Star
75%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
25%
Review Patrick Smith

Asset Protection

Posted by

Mr. Smith and his firm assisted our family with Medicaid approval when my parents needed long term care. They patiently answered all questions. He successfully protected my parents financial asssets. We are pleased with the results and highly recommend Mr. Smith.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Estate Planning

Posted by

Excellent service by Patrick and his team for our Estate Planning needs. This included Living Trust, Wills, Health Care Directives, etc.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Client review

Posted by

I high recommend Patrick Smith. He is an knowledgeable and excellent attorney. Himself and office staff are friendly, efficient and knowledgeable.

Stay away.

Posted by

I paid a lot of money to have a will, durable power of attorney and trust. Could not understand what he did. After I paid him I called over 8 times in a year and a half and he refuses to answer my questions. Now I am concerned he did something wrong and I have to hire another lawyer to go over what he did. Not worth the time or money. Ask several retirement communities for reference.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Attorney endorsements

(10)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

David Wolf, Elder law Attorney on Aug 30, 2018
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Patrick Smith is an excellent elder law attorney. He is skilled, knowledgeable, down to earth, and caring. A true gentleman who understands the value of hard work, piece of mind, and attention to detail. I highly recommend Patrick Smith.

James Swain, Elder law Attorney on Aug 21, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Patrick is one of the most knowledgeable attorneys I know of in the area of Medicaid planning. He is the one I call when I have a question.

Cynthia Mead, Elder law Attorney on Nov 9, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Patrick Smith is an excellent attorney with a command of both Estate Planning and Long Term Care Planning. He is dedicated to helping his clients and their families protect their assets, plan for the future, and find creative ways to pay for long term care. I would recommend him without hesitation to members of my own family.

William Alexander, Elder law Attorney on Oct 1, 2012
Relationship: Other

I endorse this lawyer. Patrick was a fellow instructor at a recent national conference for advanced elder law attorneys. His session held the entire audience captive. He is clearly one of the brightest elder law attorneys in the country.

Michael Smith, Elder law Attorney on Nov 8, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Patrick is extremely knowledgeable in the Elder Law area. He frequently serves as a lecturer at educational sessions for other lawyers. He works hard to get his clients the results they deserve.

Timothy Moses, Elder law Attorney on Nov 8, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I HIGHLY endorse this lawyer. Patrick is a former law partner of mine, with whom I worked for several years. He is an OUTSTANDING lawyer with the highest integrity and sense of service to his clients. He has quickly established himself as the leading ELDER law attorney in Augusta and throughout Southeast Georgia.

Heinz Brisske, Elder law Attorney on Apr 10, 2011
Relationship: Other

I endorse this lawyer. He taught a course in VA pension planning for ElderCounsel, a national orgainization of elder law attorneys and demonstrated his mastery of the subject matter and skill as an instructor. I was impressed by his legal knowledge, his ability to communicate, and his practical application of difficult concepts.

Daniel Munster, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 28, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Ive found Patrick to be a tireless and capable advocate for his elder law clients in the Augusta area.

Miles Hurley, Elder law Attorney on Jan 28, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer's work. Patrick zealously pursues the best ways to take care of his aging clients. He does an outstanding job of researching and presenting the law in administrative hearings and in Superior Court. I would hire him for my own family.

David McGuffey, Elder law Attorney on Jan 27, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer's work. Patrick is one of those few Elder Law Attorney to whom I would trust my own family.