Dave Smith is a Bedford, Indiana attorney who has a wide range of experience in many areas of the law. Dave has served as the primary legal advisor to Lawrence County Government as County Attorney since 1993. Prior to that, Dave served as Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney from 1985 to 1989.
In his private practice Dave has substantial experience in estate and wealth transfer planning, business and corporate formation and planning, probate and trust administration, elder law and long term care planning, Medicaid planning and real estate matters. Dave also handles personal injury and wrongful death matters. In recent years an increasingly large percentage of Dave’s time has involved helping individuals and families plan their estates and plan for the long term living and health needs of his clients. Dave works closely with each client to anticipate future needs, which includes planning for home health, assisted living and skilled nursing home care. Dave attempts to help clients meet their needs and maximize their legacy to family and loved ones.
Dave advises families on how to establish and preserve legacies for loved ones who have ongoing special needs. Parents of special needs children are often very concerned for the future needs of their children and particularly how to cover costs. Dave has experience in preparing and implementing supplemental needs trusts to help those with special needs maintain access to family resources without losing rights to public assistance programs.
Dave also has substantial experience in working with small business owners and helping with such matters as employment law and business succession planning issues. For the small business owner, their business is the single most valuable and important asset in his or her estate.
A native of Terre Haute, Dave has lived in Bedford since 1985. He completed his undergraduate degree at Indiana State University and completed his law degree at Indiana University – Indianapolis. Dave is a member of the Indiana and Florida bars. Dave’s professional associations include the American Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, the Florida Bar, the Lawrence County Bar Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the Hoosier Hills Estate Planning Council.
Dave practices across all of Southern Indiana, and spends the majority of his time in Lawrence, Orange, Monroe, Martin, Washington, Jackson, Daviess and Dubois counties. With prior arrangement, Dave will make home and hospital visits to accommodate his clients.
