John has been engaged in the practice of law for more than forty years. He is a member of the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and The Fiduciary Law and the Elder Law Sections of the State Bar of Georgia. He is frequent speaker to insurance professionals, financial planners, estate planning attorneys, and community groups.
He has a broad legal background in the general practice of law where he, in addition to estate planning and probate, has represented numerous businesses. John has been counsel for South Georgia Medical Center, First State Bank and Trust Company, and Valdosta Federal Savings and Loan Association. He was the managing partner of Barham, Elliott, Bennett, Miller, Stone, and Cowart for more than 25 years.
In 1998 John decided to focus his practice on estate planning, elder law, and asset protection, and dedicated his energies to finding more effective ways to serve his estate planning clients’ goals. In 2000, John left the Barham firm to establish a new practice which focuses solely on estate planning and elder law.
Although born in Kansas City, Missouri, John has called Valdosta home since he was five years old. He is a graduate of Valdosta State University and the University of Georgia School of Law. He served in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He has served as the United States Magistrate Judge for the Valdosta and Thomasville Divisions of the Middle District of Georgia. He has served on numerous committees of the State Bar of Georgia and was President of the Valdosta Bar Association. He is active in many community activities and is a Georgia Master Gardener.
John and his wife Helen have three children: Christie, John, and Pam; and six grandchildren: Max, Marie, Luke, Bennett, Oscar, and Sarah.
John R. Bennett
Attorney