Smith & Harvey Law Office

Ms. Harvey was born in Richmond, Indiana and has been a resident of Union County since 1972. She is a graduate of Union County High School. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Indiana University and her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis. Ms. Harvey's practice focuses in the areas of wills, trusts, estates, Medicaid/Asset protection planning, guardianships, and real property, focusing on the legal needs of older adults and their families. Ms. Harvey is a member of the American Bar Association, Indiana State Bar Association and its Elder Law, Probate, Trust and Real Property sections, is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Indiana Chapter of NAELA, as well as local bar associations.

Gary E. Smith, Attorney, obtained a Doctorate of Jurisprudence degree from Indiana University, graduating in 1971. During law school, Mr. Smith was awarded a fellowship for work in study relating to legislative reform.

Following graduation, Mr. Smith served as Deputy Attorney General under then Indiana Attorney General, Theodore Sendak and began private practice in Indianapolis. Thereafter, Mr. Smith returned to Connersville to establish a practice with Judge Frank Messer.

Mr. Smith's practice is limited to civil law with concentrations in areas of trusts, estates, real property, commercial and business entities, banking and governmental services. He has served as attorney for numerous civic and governmental entities including the Fayette County Commissioners, Fayette County Council, Fayette County Industrial Development Corporation/Economic Development Group. He serves further as legal counsel for a federally regulated financial institution.

Janet Morgan, our office manager, has been with Smith & Harvey Law Office since 2001. She coordinates our staff and job responsibilities to ensure all work is completed in a timely manner. Her primary responsibility, in addition to her office manager duties, is estate administration. She assists our attorneys and many of our clients in processing paperwork required in the administration of an estate. She has a great working relationship with the various financial institutions, accounting firms, and county and state offices that are involved with estate administration and inheritance tax issues.

Dana Sullenbeger joined our staff in October of 2012. She is primarily responsible for assisting our attorneys with wills, trusts, guardianships, and adoptions.

Jessica Dickerson is our receptionist. She is responsible for scheduling appointments and directing inquiries to the right staff member or attorney. Jessica also assists our attorneys in business formations, civil litigation, and debt collections.

Our real estate staff member is responsible for title searches and title insurance commitments and policies, assisting our attorneys with deed preparation, land contracts, promissory note and mortgage preparation, as well as foreclosure proceedings.

Ciara Harvey joined our staff in October 2015 and is responsible for assisting Attorney Harvey with asset protection and Medicaid planning. She has a working knowledge of the requirements of the Medicaid qualification process. Ciara communicates with financial institutions, insurance companies, Area 9 Agency on Aging, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and the local Family and Social Services office to obtain and submit the required documentation for eligibility to be established.