Bradley Ryan Coppedge

Brad Coppedge was born and raised in Columbus, Georgia. He received his B.B.A. in Accounting from Mercer University in 1993, his J.D. degree from Mercer University School of Law in 1996, and his LL.M. (Master of Laws) in Taxation from the University of Miami School of Law in 1997. Before joining Goggans, Stutzman, Hudson, Wilson & Mize, LLP in 2022, Mr. Coppedge was a shareholder/partner for six years at Hall Booth Smith, P.C., and prior to that practiced at Hatcher, Stubbs, Land Hollis and Rothschild, LLP for 18 years, becoming a partner in 2002. He joined Hall Booth Smith in 2016. He has been a member of the Georgia Bar since 1996 and the Alabama Bar since 1998. Mr. Coppedge is admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court and is a member of the Columbus Bar Association and the Atlanta Estate Planning Councili.

A significant portion of Mr. Coppedge's practice is dedicated to estate planning and estate administration. As part of his estate planning practice, Mr. Coppedge provides estate and tax planning advice for individuals, including the preparation of Wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, life insurance trusts, family partnerships, gifting and transfer documents and various charitable planning techniques, such as charitable remainder and charitable lead trusts. In connection with his representation of estate planning clients, Mr. Coppedge regularly drafts pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. Mr. Coppedge also represents both individual and corporate trustees in fiduciary matters including changes in trustees, trust terminations and similar matters.

Mr. Coppedge also works with clients in the creation of Special Needs Trusts (SNTs), both for self-settled and third party donor created trusts, in Medicaid planning and in planning for beneficiaries with disabilities.

Mr. Coppedge maintains an active probate and estate administration practice, which includes the representation of clients in the probate of Wills, administration of Estates, and Year's Support proceedings. Further, Mr. Coppedge works with families and individuals in need of a guardian of the person or conservator of the property, for adults, minors, and individuals with disabilities or special needs.

With his educational background and LL.M. in Taxation, Mr. Coppedge regularly works with clients in the areas of entity selection/formation/operation, Mr. Coppedge represents a significant number of small businesses, helps clients create new start-up business (LLCs, c-corporations, s-corporations and partnerships) and also represents a number of physician groups. He advises these clients on the best form of entity from a tax, liability, and operational standpoint, entity formation or incorporation, and continued representation on matters such as employment agreements, buy-sell agreements, contracts, leases, retirement plans and other matters related to the operation of a business. This representation regularly includes representing buyers and sellers of a business in connection with an asset purchase agreement or stock purchase agreement, and other corporate transactions.

Mr. Coppedge also  regularly represents both entity and individual clients in controversies with the IRS and the State Department of Revenue including resolution procedures such as offers in compromise, innocent spouse filings and instalment agreements. Frequently, these matters involve payroll and sales tax liabilities assessed by the State Department of Revenue or Internal Revenue Service, both as against the employer and against an alleged responsible person of the employer such an owner or officer.

Additionally, Mr. Coppedge also has a niche practice committed to helping clients with NFA Gun Trusts, also referred to as a Class 3 Trust or a Firearms Trust, which are utilized to legally purchase and own, and facilitate the subsequent transfer of, Title II Firearms, such as suppressors and SBRs sold by Class 3 dealers.

Mr. Coppedge has written numerous articles in local, state and national publications and often speaks locally and regionally at events sponsored by private and public groups, on the topics of estate planning and choice of entity. Mr. Coppedge is AV rated by Martindale.