Specialized Legal Services for Every Stage of Life and Legacy

At Waters Sullivan, LLC, our practice is built around one focus: helping individuals and families protect what matters most. From guardianships and conservatorships to trust structuring and tax planning, we bring specialized knowledge and genuine care to every matter we handle.

Schedule a Consultation → 205.855.5020

Our Areas of Representation

What We Do for You

Because our practice is exclusively focused on estate, probate, and life planning, we bring a depth of knowledge to each service area that general practice firms simply cannot match. We represent clients in the following matters:

Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning We help clients of all ages and circumstances create legally sound estate plans that reflect their wishes and protect their families. Whether you need a straightforward will or a complex, multi-layered trust strategy, we build a plan tailored to your life.

Contesting & Defending Wills When the validity of a will is in question, we represent clients on both sides of the matter. Whether you are challenging a will you believe does not reflect your loved one's true wishes, or defending a will against an improper contest, we provide experienced, strategic representation.

Contesting & Restructuring Trusts Trusts can become outdated, improperly administered, or subject to dispute. We help clients challenge trust arrangements that are no longer appropriate and work to restructure them in a way that better serves the beneficiaries involved.

Trustee Representation Trustees carry significant legal responsibilities. We represent trustees navigating complex administration, disputes with beneficiaries, and allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, ensuring their rights and obligations are clearly understood and properly handled.

Estate Administration We guide executors and personal representatives through the full process of administering an estate, from asset inventory and creditor resolution to final distribution, making sure every step is handled correctly and efficiently.

Incapacity Planning Planning for the possibility of incapacity is one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of a complete estate plan. We help clients establish powers of attorney, advance directives, and healthcare proxies that ensure their wishes are respected if they are ever unable to speak for themselves.

Guardianships, Conservatorships & Protecting Vulnerable Adults We help families establish the legal protections needed to care for loved ones who cannot care for themselves. Whether due to age, disability, or incapacity, we work to ensure that vulnerable individuals are treated with the dignity, compassion, and legal protection they deserve.

Special Needs Planning For families with a loved one who has a disability, we craft special needs trusts and tailored planning strategies that provide long-term financial security without affecting eligibility for government assistance programs.

Adoptions We assist families navigating the adoption process, providing clear legal guidance through every step to help bring families together with confidence.

Advanced Planning Considerations

Complex Situations Require Specialized Expertise

Some estate planning situations involve layers of complexity that go beyond a standard will or trust. At Waters Sullivan, we have the specialized knowledge to address even the most nuanced planning challenges, including:

Tax Strategy and Trust Planning Kristin R. Waters Sullivan holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation with a concentration in Estate Planning, a credential that sets her apart from most estate attorneys. She brings that expertise to bear in developing strategies that minimize estate, gift, and income tax exposure for clients and their beneficiaries, including the strategic use of trusts as tax planning vehicles.

Family Business Succession Transitioning a family business to the next generation requires careful legal and financial planning. We help business owners structure succession plans that protect the business, minimize tax liability, and preserve family relationships in the process.

Philanthropic Planning For clients who want their legacy to include a commitment to giving, we help establish charitable trusts, private foundations, and other vehicles that carry philanthropic missions forward in a legally sound and tax-efficient way.

Foreign Assets and International Beneficiaries Estates with assets located outside the United States, or with beneficiaries who live abroad, face a unique set of legal and tax challenges. We have experience navigating these complexities and can help ensure your estate plan accounts for every asset and every person involved.

Providing for Minors, Disabled Beneficiaries & Spendthrift Relatives Not all beneficiaries are equally equipped to manage an inheritance. We help clients structure trusts and other planning tools that protect assets for those who need guidance, whether that is a minor child, a family member with a disability, or a relative who needs financial guardrails in place.

The Waters Sullivan Difference

Planning and Litigation Under One Roof

Because Waters Sullivan represents both families and fiduciaries in estate planning, administration, and litigation, we are uniquely positioned to see the full picture. We understand how planning decisions play out in court, which allows us to identify potential points of conflict before they arise, develop strategies that reduce the likelihood of family disputes, and ensure your wishes are documented in a way that holds up.

You are not just getting a document. You are getting a plan built with foresight, experience, and genuine care for the people behind it.

About Kristin R. Waters

Credentials That Go Beyond the Basics

Kristin R. Waters is a Birmingham-based estate and probate attorney with years of dedicated experience in her field. She holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation with a concentration in Estate Planning, bringing an advanced level of expertise in tax strategy and trust planning that directly benefits her clients.

Kristin founded Waters Sullivan, LLC on the belief that every family deserves an attorney who is not only knowledgeable, but genuinely invested in their outcome.

Learn more about Kristin here.

Not Sure Where to Start? We Can Help.

Every situation is different, and the right legal strategy depends on your unique circumstances, goals, and family. Reach out to Waters Sullivan today for a consultation and let us help you find the right path forward.

Call us: 205.855.5020

Email us: hello@waterssullivan.com

Visit: waterssullivan.com

2 20th Street North, Suite 1350 | Birmingham, Alabama 35203