Business Details
11 Years
experience
Trusted Estate Planning & Business Law Services in Chattanooga
Jelks Law, PLLC is a boutique Chattanooga-based law firm founded in 2015 by Amanda Jelks, offering tailored legal solutions in business law, estate planning, and probate. With over a decade of combined experience, our team serves Tennessee and Georgia clients, prioritizing client education, asset protection, and generational wealth planning. We emphasize personalized service, community engagement, and proactive legal strategies to ensure clients' financial security and family well-being. Recognized by local publications and professional organizations, we combine award-winning expertise with a commitment to ethical practice and client-centric advocacy. 
Services
Estate Planning
Probate Law
Business Formation
Medicaid Planning
Wills & Trusts
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We offer over a decade of legal expertise in estate planning and probate.
- Our team includes award-winning attorneys recognized by local publications.
- We provide personalized legal strategies tailored to each client's unique needs.
- Our firm is committed to community service and client education through free seminars.
- We have a proven track record of successfully guiding clients through complex legal matters.
What people say
True professional
Incredibly helpful
Thorough and supportive
Wealth of knowledge
Compassionate attorney
Services
Estate Planning
Estate planning ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes while minimizing tax burdens. Our attorneys create customized wills, trusts, and advanced directives to protect your family's future and provide peace of mind through complex legal frameworks.
Probate Law
Probate law governs asset distribution after death. Our team guides executors through court processes, resolves creditor claims, and ensures compliance with Tennessee and Georgia laws, streamlining transitions during difficult times with professional advocacy.
Business Formation
Business formation protects personal assets through legal entities like LLCs and corporations. We advise on optimal structures, draft formation documents, and implement liability protections to secure your business's long-term stability and growth.
Medicaid Planning
Medicaid planning preserves assets while qualifying for government assistance. Our elder law specialists develop strategies using trusts and legal transfers to ensure eligibility without compromising family financial security or dignity.
Wills & Trusts
Wills and trusts control posthumous asset distribution. We draft legally binding documents that establish guardianship for minors, designate beneficiaries, and create living trusts to bypass probate, ensuring efficient wealth transfer aligned with your intentions.
People
Amanda Jelks
Founder/Attorney
A Chattanooga native with academic scholarships from UTC and University of Memphis Law School, Amanda practiced corporate law before founding Jelks Law in 2015. She specializes in estate planning, business law, and probate, combining legal expertise with community leadership through nonprofit board service and public speaking engagements.
Leslie A. Starritt
Attorney
Leslie brings seven years of estate planning and Medicaid expertise to Jelks Law. A University of Tennessee College of Law graduate, she develops comprehensive plans protecting clients' assets while addressing long-term care needs through strategic legal frameworks tailored to individual family dynamics.
Eva Brunk
Intake Coordinator
Eva coordinates client intake processes with precision, leveraging her diverse background in banking and trade associations since joining Jelks Law in 2019. Her organizational skills ensure seamless initial client interactions and case management workflows.
Kelly Costa
Office Manager
Kelly manages daily operations as Office Manager, applying her paralegal experience since 2019 to maintain efficient office functions. She oversees administrative tasks while supporting legal teams in delivering high-quality client services.
Ali Williams
Estate Planning Paralegal
Ali joined Jelks Law in 2022 as an estate planning paralegal, combining approachable professionalism with technical expertise. She supports clients through document preparation and process navigation, prioritizing clear communication during sensitive legal decision-making.
Questions
What happens if I don't have an estate plan?
Without an estate plan, state laws determine asset distribution, potentially causing family conflicts and unintended beneficiaries. Probate costs increase, and minor guardianship decisions may not align with your wishes.
Do I need a will if I have a small estate?
Yes. A will ensures your specific wishes are followed regardless of estate size. It designates guardians for minors and prevents default state distribution rules that may not match your intentions.
How does Medicaid planning protect my assets?
Medicaid planning uses legal strategies like trusts to protect assets while qualifying for long-term care benefits. Early planning prevents forced asset depletion to meet eligibility requirements for government assistance programs.
Can business owners benefit from estate planning?
Absolutely. Business succession planning ensures smooth ownership transitions, protects company assets from probate, and maintains operational continuity through legally binding agreements and trust structures.
What's the difference between a will and a trust?
Wills require probate court validation, while trusts bypass probate for faster asset distribution. Trusts offer greater control over inheritance timing and conditions, providing privacy and potential tax advantages.
