Ed Smith’s practice focuses on Estate Planning, Estate Administration, Probate, Elder, and Special Needs Planning. Mr. Smith helps clients make the challenging decisions needed to navigate and plan for life’s inevitable and unexpected events.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Ed earned a B.A. in Intelligence Studies as well as a B.A. in World Languages and Cultures (Spanish & Russian) from Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania.

Ed spent two years as a volunteer in a Franciscan Volunteer Corps, assisting those with special needs here in the states as well as deaf children in Costa Rica, becoming fluent in Spanish and proficient in sign language while in Latin America.

After returning from service in the Franciscan Corps, Ed earned his Juris Doctorate from Ave Maria School of Law, where he was President of the Moot Court Board – Ed narrowed his area of practice to estate planning and formed the firm, Southwest Florida Estate Planning, PLLC, which he eventually merged into two large firms in Naples, prior to founding Smith Estate Planning, PLLC.

Ed is heavily involved in the community. His current and past service includes the following organizations:

Education:

• Ave Maria School of Law: J.D.

• Mercyhurst College: B.S. Intelligence Studies B.S. World Languages & Cultures

Professional Activities & Experience:

• StarAbility Foundation – Past President, Board of Directors

• Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce – Board of Directors

• YMCA Endowment Board – Member

• Leadership Bonita – Past Chair/Alumnus

• Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorney – Member

• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys – Member

• Academy of Special Needs Planners – Member

• BNI – Past President