Edward F. Smith III is currently Of Counsel for the law firm of Beller Smith, PL practicing in the areas of estate and trust planning and estate tax preparation and consultation. He is a member of the Florida and New York Bars. Ed has a diverse background with over thirty-five years of varied experience including serving as a principal for a national public accounting firm, trust counsel for major financial institutions, and as a practicing trust and estates lawyer.
Ed’s extensive experience is concentrated on complex estate, fiduciary, and individual income tax planning, including charitable planning, gift and estate tax return preparation, post-mortem tax planning, asset protection planning, and entity structuring. He advises high-net-worth individuals, families, successful entrepreneurs, athletes and entertainers regarding their wealth transfer planning, multi-generational planning, and sophisticated trust planning. Ed believes in an integrated approach to wealth transfer planning, and frequently works with family offices, accountants, and other financial advisers, to develop a tailored estate plan by reviewing a client’s complex needs and goals. This ensures their legacy benefits their beneficiaries (including charities) in the most tax-efficient manner.
Ed previously served on the editorial advisory board for a national estate planning publication and has been a frequent speaker on various topics for the FICPA, regional and national ABA conferences, various estate planning and tax councils, and the Florida Attorney/Trust Officer Liaison Conference, among others.
Ed received his Juris Doctorate (1987) from Quinnipiac University School of Law and his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting (1983) from St. Bonaventure University. His professional affiliations include The Florida Bar (Member RPPTL Section); New York State Bar Association; Connecticut State Bar Association; Greater Boca Raton Estate Planning Council (Board Member/Programming Chair); and South Palm Beach County Bar Association. He has served on the board of directors or committees for various community organizations including America Red Cross; American Heart Association; Boca Raton Historical Society; Boca Raton Museum of Art; Caldwell Theater; Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce; Humane Society of Broward County; Leaders in Furthering Education; YMCA of Boca Raton; Morikami Museum; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; and State of Israel Bonds Corporation.