Waters Law (Ashley Waters, Attorney at Law)

  4.7 – 14 reviews   • Estate planning attorney

Waters Law (Ashley Waters, Attorney at Law) 38501

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We are a boutique law Wills, Trusts, and Estates law firm located in Cookeville, Tennessee. For over 10 years, our entire practice has been centered around the following areas of practice: – Comprehensive estate planning, including Wills, Trusts (revocable and irrevocable), and Powers of Attorney – Business succession planning – Estate administration, including Probate and Trust Administration (both large and small estates) – Conservatorships and Guardianships – Elder law and long-term care planning, including Medicaid/TennCare planning Our focus on Wills, Trusts, and Estates enables us to provide the highest quality of legal services in these areas.

Service Options: Online appointments· Onsite services

Hours

SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed
Monday8AM–12PM, 1–5PM
Tuesday8AM–12PM, 1–5PM
Wednesday8AM–12PM, 1–5PM
Thursday8AM–12PM, 1–5PM
Friday
(Veterans Day)
8AM–12PM, 1–4PM
Hours might differ

Address and Contact Information

Address: 116 Locust Ave suite a, Cookeville, TN 38501

Phone: (931) 559-2889

Website: http://www.waters.law/

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Services

Estate Planning Attorney
Adoptions
Avoid Probate
Basic Estate Plan
Comprehensive Estate Plan
Conservatorships
A Conservatorship is the process where a Judge declares an individual (referred to as the “Ward”) to be disabled, meaning he or she lacks the capacity to make decisions in one or more important areas. The Court identifies another individual (referred to as the “Conservator”) as being able to make those decisions for the Ward. The general duties of the Conservator include: identifying and taking into the possession the Ward’s assets, investing the Ward’s assets to produce income, preparing and filing the Ward’s income tax returns, preparing and filing inventories and accountings as required by the Court, and spending the Ward’s money only on those items which the Court has approved. We frequently represent Conservators during this process by preparing the necessary legal documentation to establish the Conservatorship, representing the Conservator in Court to establish that the Conservatorship is appropriate, and then advising the Conservator regarding his or her specific duties.
Elder Law Estate Planning
Estate Administration–Probate and Trust Administration
When someone passes away, whether they have a Will (“testate”) or not (“intestate”), or have a Living Trust, his or her estate is in many cases required to be “probated,” or a trust administration is required (these processes are collectively referred to as “estate administration”). For example, if someone died with real property in his or her name, probate is required to clear title to this property to allow that person’s heirs to eventually sell the property. The process of estate administration involves gathering the decedent’s assets, paying the decedent’s creditors, and then then distributing the decedent’s assets in accordance with his or her Will or Trust, if there is one, or pursuant to the intestacy laws of the state of Tennessee.
Estate Litigation
Estate Planning
Estate Planning And Administration
Estate Planning Document
Estate Planning Probate
Estate Planning and Administration
Estate Planning–Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney (Medical and Financial), Gifting
There is a common misconception that estate planning is only for the wealthy. This is not true! Estate planning is the process of deciding how you want to distribute your estate when you die and selecting the most appropriate method for achieving your desires–this could be a Will, a Trust, or even a combination of the two. Whether your estate is worth $10,000 or $10,000,000 when you die, there are still decisions to be made about how your estate will be distributed and how this process will be handled. Whether you already have a Will or Trust which you would like us to review, or are just beginning to plan for your death, we can help you. accomplish your desires upon your death.
Estate Tax Planning
All clients are concerned that their heirs may be required to pay death taxes when they die. While Tennessee no longer has a state inheritance tax, there remains a federal estate tax for estates valued at more than the exemption amount, which changes each year. When we are developing an estate plan for you, we consider whether your estate will trigger an estate tax, and if so, how we can minimize the estate tax upon your death. While many clients’ estates may not trigger an estate tax, there could be the potential for capital gains tax, which we may be able to minimize or eliminate upon the client’s death. For instance, depending on how assets are held at death, the client’s heirs may end up paying capital gains tax when they sell the assets. Additionally, a client with assets in retirement accounts will want to ensure his or her beneficiaries are set up correctly to minimize the income tax consequences to the heirs.
Federal Estate Tax Exemption
Guardianships
Guardianships are very similar to Conservatorships except that they involve Wards who are minors, whereas Conservatorship involve Wards who are adults. The minor is declared to be in need of assistance by the Court, which could be financial assistance or otherwise. The Court identifies another individual (referred to as the “Conservator”) as being responsible for the Ward in the areas where assistance is required. The general duties of the Conservator include: identifying and taking into the possession the Ward’s assets, investing the Ward’s assets to produce income, preparing and filing inventories and accountings as required by the Court, and spending the Ward’s money only on those items which the Court has approved. We frequently represent Conservators during this process by preparing the necessary legal documentation to establish the Guardianship, representing the Conservator in Court to establish that the Guardianship is appropriate, and then advising the Conservator.
Legal Services
Living Wills
Long-Term Care Planning
Probate
Probate is the Court-supervised administration of a decedent’s estate. The process usually begins with filing a petition to have an Executor appointed to administer the estate. The Executor will petition the Probate Court to open the probate estate, and documentation will be issued to the Executor to evidence his or her authority to administer the decedent’s estate. The Executor has many specific duties, including but not limited to preserving the assets of the decedent’s estate, notifying TennCare of the decedent’s death, paying all creditors, and filing an estate tax return. The Executor must also get a receipt and release from the heirs before the estate can be closed. The process can be very complicated and confusing, and in most cases an attorney with experience in this area is hired to assist and advise the Executor during the probate process. For instance, if this process is not handled properly, the Executor may be personally liable for his or her failure to follow the law.
Probate / Estate Administration
Probate And Trust Administration
Probate Court
Probate Litigation
Probate Process
Probate and Trust Administration
Retirement Accounts
Retirement Trusts
Revocable Living Trust
Sell Real Estate
Special Needs Trusts
Tax Returns
The Probate Court
The Probate Process
Trust Administration
In the event the decedent has a Living Trust, the Trustee may not be required to open a probate estate. The administration of a trust after a decedent’s death is known as trust administration. Although a different set of laws apply to trust administration than probate, the Trustee has specific duties, such as notifying TennCare of the decedent’s death, paying all creditors, and filing an estate tax return for the decedent’s estate, which are required of the Trustee. Similar to an Executor, the Trustee can be held personally liable for not fulfilling his or her duties. It is important to consult with an experienced attorney to ensure the administration process is handled correctly.
Wills And Trusts
Wills, Trusts, & Estates
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Related Web Results

Ashley Waters – Waters Law

Ashley Waters, Owner/Managing Attorney. Ashley has been practicing law for over 8 years. What most people don’t know is that law is Ashley’s second career.

Waters Law

Boutique law firm with focus on Wills, Trusts, and Estates. … prospect of needing a lawyer, even for non-adversarial matters such as wills and trusts.

Lawyer Ashley Waters – Cookeville, Tennessee | Got.Law

Estate Planning, Guardianship, Medicaid, Power Of Attorney, Probate … work Experience. Partner. Gothard Waters Jan. 1, 2016 – Current None …

Reviews

Petal & Rake
Waters Law is the place to go to make sure your affairs are in order. Knowledgeable and kind, each and every person in their office delivers stellar customer service. From a simple will to full estate planning, you’ll be well taken care of at Water’s Law.
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Amanda Garey
I had an estate case wherein I needed an attorney to help me successfully prove my parentage so that I could claim my inheritance. Ashley Waters and her extraordinary team – I’m looking at you, Machiah and Kristin – quickly resolved my issue and were the most kind, sensitive, understanding, and thoughtful people I could ever have hoped to engage.
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richard flores
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, ValueStating the obvious, going through a life-changing event can be overwhelming. Ashley Waters/firm was compassionate, professional and extremely knowledgeable about estate planning law. Exceptional follow up and able to distill complex matters to a basic level of understanding/comprehension. Excellent!
Stating the obvious, going through a life-changing event can be overwhelming. Ashley Waters/firm was compassionate, professional and extremely knowledgeable about estate planning law. Exceptional follow up and able to distill complex matters to a basic level of understanding/comprehension. Excellent!
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Sherlyn Maynard
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, ValueWhen my father passed away suddenly, we were faced with the decision of the best way to properly care for my mother. With the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, it was clear she was not able to live alone. With no power of attorney in place, we needed to go through the process of petitioning the court for conservatorship over her. Ashley Waters Law Firm and her staff were outstanding. What a great team! They were all truly kind, sincere, and pleasant. They were very thorough in explaining what was needed for this process to go through, giving us great advice, and answering all our questions. I cannot say enough about Ashley Waters Law Firm. Plus, a special thanks to Kiley for her patience and sincere support through this delicate process. Now that the conservatorship is formed, I am relieved that Kiley is helping us manage it. She is always just a phone call away. I highly recommend Ashley Waters Law firm. Sincerely, Sherlyn MaynardWhen my father passed away suddenly, we were faced with the decision of the best way to properly care for my mother. With the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, it was clear she was not able to live alone. With no power of attorney in place, we …More
When my father passed away suddenly, we were faced with the decision of the best way to properly care for my mother. With the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, it was clear she was not able to live alone. With no power of attorney in place, we needed to go through the process of petitioning the court for conservatorship over her. Ashley Waters Law Firm and her staff were outstanding. What a great team! They were all truly kind, sincere, and pleasant. They were very thorough in explaining what was needed for this process to go through, giving us great advice, and answering all our questions. I cannot say enough about Ashley Waters Law Firm. Plus, a special thanks to Kiley for her patience and sincere support through this delicate process. Now that the conservatorship is formed, I am relieved that Kiley is helping us manage it. She is always just a phone call away. I highly recommend Ashley Waters Law firm. Sincerely, Sherlyn Maynard
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Heather G.
An impressive experience. Ms Waters made us comfortable with legal documents by patiently explaining until she was sure we understood.
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Ben Gentry
Will not respond or answer the question asked. She beats around the bush and gives vague answers. Would not recommend this place to my dog.
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Eric Kirk
The office is great, you can’t get better service.
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Victoria Okorn
Very knowledgable and reassuring and trustworthy…and personable. Very happy with my need outcome and experience.
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Toni Dale
Very professional, prompt, and informative
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Eleisha Burton
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