Copeland, Covert & Smith, PLLC
Estate Planning | Serving Altamonte Springs, FL
407-830-7220Orlando Estate Planning Law Firm
Se Habla Español
Our Ultimate Goal Is To Honor Our Clients By Enabling Them To Live With The Certainty That They Are Prepared For The Uncertain
Richard W. Copeland founded the firm as a sole practitioner over forty years ago. Since the first day, the Florida-based firm, headquartered in Altamonte Springs, focused its practice in the areas of estate planning (wills and trusts) and elder law. In 2007 Terry W. Covert partnered with Mr. Copeland, and the name was changed to Copeland and Covert, PLLC. With the addition of Mr. Covert, the firm was empowered to serve even more clients in Central Florida with the high level of integrity that had become synonymous with Richard Copeland and his firm. In addition, Mr. Covert's experience in securities and real estate law enabled the firm to serve clients in additional areas of need. Although Mr. Copeland had it in mind to retire within the first few years after Mr. Covert joined him, he found a renewed calling in working with Mr. Covert, so he stayed actively engaged in the practice for over ten additional years.
In May of 2018, Mr. Copeland retired from active practice, however he remains dedicated to the countless relationships he came to value over the years, and visits frequently. He also continues to serve in an Of Counsel capacity with the firm. Later in 2018, Meredith Pitts Smith joined the firm as a partner, and the name was changed to Copeland, Covert & Smith, PLLC. Meredith's addition enabled the firm to expand the areas of practice to include more comprehensive elder law and probate and other litigation.
There are many qualities that make Copeland, Covert & Smith unique, but they are all rooted in the philosophy that an attorney-client relationship is a personal, timeless and inviolable friendship built upon trust that is never to be taken for granted. Though the attorneys at the firm have vast experience in the different fields that impact estate planning, they eagerly embrace a desire and willingness to enter into a team concept with their clients and their clients other professional advisers. There are many variables in estate planning and cooperation among all contributing parties can play a vital role in achieving the desired results of an estate plan.
The attorneys at Copeland, Covert & Smith have combined experience in live radio, live television, teaching, and estate planning seminars, and are available as speakers at seminars for organizations, financial professionals and their clients, and church groups, among others. They are proud of the service the firm has provided the community, and are pleased to continue providing estate planning, probate, and elder law services to families throughout Central Florida. As a service to their clients, the attorneys at Copeland, Covert & Smith have also developed relationships with attorneys representing specialties in numerous areas of the law, and will be pleased to introduce you to an experienced attorney that should be able to assist you with your specific legal needs, regardless of what that need may be.
Contact us today if you need legal assistance with any of the following:
- Estate Planning
- Litigation & Appeals
- Probate & Estate Administration
- Trusts
- Wills
Call 407-830-7220 today to arrange your initial consultation.
Attorney Terry W. Covert
Terry W. Covert entered the practice of law as a second career, following nearly twenty years in the securities industry and in the business community. He is a 1974 graduate of Ohio University (Summa Cum Laude), and a graduate of Barry University, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law, Orlando (Cum Laude).
Following law school he became active in '40 Act (securities investment companies) Law, an area in which he continues to serve as general counsel and vice president of a national broker dealer and mutual fund. Realizing he missed direct contact while helping people, Terry joined Richard Copeland's estate planning practice in 2007.
Terry's varied experience has enabled him to relate to nearly everyone he meets. In addition to the securities industry, his career path has taken him on numerous walks of life including business, radio and television, farming, factory labor, sales, teaching, military service, and management. This widely diverse background, combined with his experience in both investment planning and estate planning make him rather unique as he works with his clients' financial and tax experts while creating and drafting estate plans to meet the exact specifications the clients desire.
Attorney Meredith Pitts Smith
Meredith Pitts Smith is a seventh generation Floridian and a third generation Orlando attorney. Meredith received her Bachelor of Science degree in biological studies from The Florida State University in 2001 where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi and Mortar Board Honor society, an Honor Studies Graduate, and on the Dean's List. She then attended The Florida State University College of Law where she was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Honor Society and on the Dean's List. During law school Meredith interned at the Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office.
After graduation in 2003, Meredith accepted a job with the Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office where she tried over 150 jury and non-jury trials ranging from misdemeanors to first degree felonies, and served as a DUI/domestic violence specialist.
After her time with the State Attorney's Office, Meredith and father, The Hon. Neal P. Pitts, worked together until his appointment as an administrative judge of workers' compensation. It was during their time together that Meredith expanded her expertise into fiduciary litigation and elder law. When her dad received his appointment, she moved to Griffin & Linder, P.A., and later became a sole practitioner. In October of 2018 Meredith accepted the opportunity to join Copeland and Covert, PLLC as a partner.
Meredith serves as a trustee of the Mennello Museum of America Art, is active in her church, and is a mother of three (3) active children. She is a co-author of A Guide to Navigating Your Inherited Home Sale in Florida. Meredith is available for lectures on multiple areas of the law, including elder law, fiduciary litigation, guardianship, probate, estate planning, Medicaid planning, will contests, and trust litigation.