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Estate Planning Attorney in Savannah, GA

Protecting your family’s future starts with a plan — and it starts with the right attorney. At Smith Barid, LLC, our Savannah estate planning attorneys have helped hundreds of Georgia families create living trusts, wills, and comprehensive estate plans that provide real peace of mind, not just paperwork.

With 50+ years of combined experience, an office right here in Savannah, and attorney Mike Smith named a 2026 Georgia Super Lawyer and author of The Ultimate Gift, you are in the right hands.

  • Living Trusts & Wills
  • Powers of Attorney & Advance Directives
  • Elder Law & Medicaid Planning
  • Probate & Trust Administration
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Asset Protection
Schedule My Free Discovery Call

Why Savannah Families Choose Smith Barid

Savannah is a city defined by its history, its multigenerational families, and its strong sense of community. At Smith Barid, we share that commitment to legacy. Our office at 7393 Hodgson Memorial Dr #202 serves families throughout Chatham County, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Bryan County, Statesboro, Hinesville, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and the broader Lowcountry.

Comprehensive Estate Planning Services for Savannah Families

Estate planning is not one-size-fits-all. Every family — whether you are raising children in Ardsley Park, planning for retirement in The Landings, or managing a business in Pooler — has a unique situation that calls for a thoughtful, personalized plan.

  • Living Trusts — Transfer your estate privately and efficiently, without the delays or public exposure of probate court. Mike Smith has guided more Savannah families through living trust planning than virtually any other attorney in Chatham County.
  • Last Will and Testament — The foundation of any estate plan. We draft clear, legally sound wills that reflect your wishes and protect your family.
  • Powers of Attorney — Designate a trusted person to act on your behalf. Without this, your family may face a costly Chatham County Probate Court guardianship proceeding.
  • Advance Directives & Living Wills — Ensure your healthcare wishes are honored when you cannot speak for yourself.
  • Elder Law & Medicaid Planning — Protect your assets from the staggering cost of long-term care. Our elder law attorneys know Georgia Medicaid rules inside and out.
  • Probate & Trust Administration — We guide Savannah families through the Chatham County probate process from start to finish, with compassion and efficiency.
  • Special Needs Planning — Protect loved ones with disabilities without jeopardizing their government benefits.
  • Asset Protection — Shield your wealth from creditors, lawsuits, and unexpected life events.

Why Every Savannah Family Needs an Estate Plan

Too many Georgia families put off estate planning, assuming it is only for the wealthy or elderly. The truth is that anyone with a family, a home, a business, or modest savings benefits from having a proper plan. Without one:

  • Your estate may go through the Chatham County Probate Court — a public, time-consuming, and costly process
  • State intestacy law — not your wishes — determines how your assets are distributed
  • A judge may decide who raises your minor children
  • A surviving spouse may not have immediate access to accounts or property
  • Your family faces unnecessary hardship during an already painful time

A well-crafted estate plan gives your family the gift of clarity and security — no matter what life brings.

  • 50+ years of combined experience in Georgia estate planning
  • Named a 2026 Georgia Super Lawyer — fewer than 5% of Georgia attorneys earn this distinction
  • Author of The Ultimate Gift — Mike Smith's guide to living trusts
  • Fixed, transparent pricing — no hourly billing surprises
  • Guided process from start to finish, not just documents
  • Lifetime support through our Legacy Continuum program

Have questions about estate planning in Savannah? Our team has answers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning in Savannah, GA

about estate planning attorneys richard barid and michael smith

Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning in Savannah, GA

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Do I need an estate planning attorney in Savannah, or can I use an online service?

Online templates can produce documents, but they cannot produce a plan. Georgia has specific legal requirements for wills, trusts, and powers of attorney that generic services routinely miss. A poorly drafted document can fail entirely when it matters most — leaving your family in a worse position than if no document existed. A Savannah estate planning attorney ensures your documents are legally valid, properly funded, and actually accomplish what you intend.

focused business team working on long term care planning

What's the difference between a will and a living trust in Georgia?

A will takes effect at death and must go through the Georgia probate process — a public court proceeding that can take months to years and carries fees and delays for your family. A living trust takes effect immediately upon creation, transfers your assets privately and directly to your beneficiaries without court involvement, and is far harder to challenge. For most Savannah families with real estate, investments, or significant assets, a living trust is the more protective choice. Many estate plans include both. Our attorneys will help you determine the right approach for your family.

elder law

How much does estate planning cost in Savannah?

At Smith Barid, we offer transparent, fixed pricing — you will know exactly what your plan costs before we begin. No hourly billing, no surprise invoices. We will discuss your specific situation and provide a clear quote during your free discovery call. Most clients find the investment is far less than the cost of probate, and priceless in the peace of mind it provides.

When should I start estate planning? The best time is now. Life changes fast — marriages, children, business interests, inheritances, and health events all affect your plan. We recommend reviewing your estate plan every 3–5 years, or after any major life event. If you do not have a plan yet, today is the right day to start.

Does Smith Barid handle probate in Savannah? Yes. Our Savannah probate attorneys guide families through the Chatham County probate process with care and efficiency — from opening the estate and notifying creditors to managing court filings and distributing assets to beneficiaries.

What areas around Savannah does Smith Barid serve? We serve families throughout coastal Georgia and the Lowcountry, including Chatham County, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Statesboro, Hinesville, Bluffton, and Hilton Head Island, SC.

More Questions About Estate Planning

When should I start estate planning?

The best time is now. Life changes — marriages, children, business interests, inheritances — mean your plan needs to keep up. We recommend reviewing your estate plan every 3-5 years or after any major life event.

Does Smith Barid handle probate in Savannah?

Yes. Our Savannah probate attorneys guide families through the Georgia probate process with compassion and efficiency. If you've recently lost a loved one, we're here to help.

Ready to Protect Your Family's Future?

Schedule a free discovery call with our Savannah estate planning team. We'll listen, answer your questions, and help you build a plan that lasts.

What our clients have to say . . .

Very thorough throughout entire process. My banker commented that my Living Trust was one of the best she had seen.

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Rated 5 out of 5

Charlie Blaine

All of the staff were so helpful and knowledgeable. Everything from start to finish was easy and I felt really good about the finished product.

happy female estate planning client
Rated 5 out of 5

Laura McKay

My wife and I were very happy with both the process and results at Smith Barid. The estate plan is what we were trying to achieve, an organized way to protect our assets and convey our wishes. I would highly recommend Smith Barid for estate planning.
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Rated 5 out of 5

Calman Ambrosy

How are we different?

With Us

  • A carefully honed and well-defined process to ensure your legacy is protected for you and your family.
  • Your documents are prepared and executed in 45 days or less.
  • Mike Smith literally wrote the book on living trusts (The Ultimate Gift) and he and Richard have over 50 years of combined experience.
  • Fixed upfront pricing
  • Peace of mind that your legacy and your family are protected

With Them

  • A blank-slate approach that starts from ground 0 with every client
  • You may wait months or years to complete your planning.
  • A lawyer who’s juggling a million different practice areas from DUI to divorce to estate planning on the side.
  • Hourly billing potentially leaving you with a nasty surprise when your estate planning is finished
  • That uncertain feeling that something might have been left out

Watch: Estate Planning Explained

Watch: Will vs. Living Trust

Watch: Estate Planning Explained

Watch: Will vs. Living Trust

Ready to Protect Your Family's Future?

Living Trusts & Wills

Customized trusts and wills that protect your assets and your loved ones.

Powers of Attorney & Advance Directives

Protect your ability to make decisions and ensure someone you trust can step in if needed.

Elder Law & Medicaid Planning

Navigate complex Medicaid rules and protect your assets from long-term care costs.

Probate & Trust Administration

We guide families through the Georgia probate process with care and efficiency.

Special Needs Planning

Protect loved ones with disabilities without jeopardizing their government benefits.

Asset Protection

Strategies to shield your wealth from creditors, lawsuits, and unexpected life events.

Schedule a free discovery call with our Savannah estate planning team. We’ll listen, answer your questions, and help you build a plan that lasts.

Schedule My Free Discovery Call