The ALW Law Center, The Law office of Attorney Amber La Shay Walker

What is a will? 

A will is a legal document that allows you to give what you have to the person(s) you want to have it in the way that you want them to have it.  You can put limitations on your gifts to prevent mismanagement and to ensure that gifts are used for specific purposes (e.g. educational pursuits or property preservation). Having a will ensures that your decisions are respected to avoid confusion or disputes about your desires among your loved ones.

What is a Power of Attorney? 

A power of attorney is a document that authorizes another person (a.k.a. your agent) to make decisions on your behalf about your property and/or your money. A power of attorney does not authorize the agent to make healthcare decisions for you, but a healthcare proxy can.  Nevertheless, you should choose someone responsible and trustworthy.

What is an advance healthcare directive? 

In Alabama, an Advance Directive for Healthcare is a legally-binding document that includes both a Living Will and a Health Care Proxy.

A Living Will allows you to make your wishes known in advance about the medical treatment you would like to receive if you become unable to communicate on your own. 

A Health Care Proxy is the person who would make medical decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make them yourself. Under Alabama law, you have the authority to require your proxy to follow the instructions in your Living Will, or you can grant the proxy the ability to have the final say about your healthcare, even if it means doing something different from what you have requested in your Living Will.

What is a trust? A trust is a legal arrangement in which a person/institution(the trustee) owns the property of one person (grantor) for the benefit of another (beneficiary). The property held in trust can be real or personal property, including money, a house, stocks, business interests, and more.

For example, trusts may be desirable for people who want to provide support for a minor child, an elderly relative, a disabled child, or someone with special needs. Typically, these individuals are unable or unwilling to manage property/assets on their own. Thus, a trust can serve as a wonderful solution, because someone else would be in charge of managing the trust property for these individuals while allowing them to still reap the benefits.

Including non-profit formation in estate planning can be a powerful way to align your legacy with your values. Creating a nonprofit allows you to institutionalize your charitable goals. Whether it's supporting education, health, faith-based causes, or the arts, a nonprofit can continue serving your mission not just during your lifetime, but even long after you're gone. Rather than giving a lump sum to a charity, forming your own nonprofit can ensure that your contributions have the exact impact you want.

Starting a business provides financial increase in a structured way while allowing you to create a legacy that can be passed down. Having an LLC or some other type of profitable corporation can protect your estate from being personally liable for risks associated with the business.

What is a guardianship?

A guardianship is a legal arrangement in which someone (the guardian) makes decisions about another individual's support, care, education, health, and welfare because of their inability to make those decisions on their own.  It may be a loved one with dementia, a disability, a serious illness, or a minor child without a parent able to care for them. Pursuing guardianship of someone you love can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to walk through it alone. I regularly serve in guardianship matters in the Jefferson County Probate Court, and I can guide your family through the process with clarity and compassion — from filing the petition to the final hearing.

What is a conservatorship?

While a guardian makes decisions about a person's care, a conservator manages a person's money and property when they cannot manage it themselves. Conservatorships often protect elderly loved ones from financial exploitation, preserve assets for a minor who inherits property, or ensure bills, benefits, and investments are handled responsibly for someone with a disability. I help families petition for conservatorship, understand a conservator's legal duties, and stay compliant with the court's ongoing reporting requirements — so your loved one's resources are protected and used for their benefit.

What is probate?

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling a loved one's affairs after they pass away — proving the will (if there is one), appointing a personal representative, paying valid debts, and distributing property to heirs. Losing someone you love is hard enough! Navigating the probate court shouldn't add to that burden. Whether your loved one left a will or died without one, I guide personal representatives and families through each step of the Alabama probate process, helping you avoid costly mistakes, resolve questions among heirs, and bring the estate to a proper close so your family can move forward.

What is elder law?

Elder law focuses on the legal needs that come with aging — planning for long-term care, protecting assets, ensuring the right people can make decisions when you no longer can, and safeguarding seniors from abuse and financial exploitation. I help older adults and their families put protections in place *before* a crisis: powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and thoughtful planning for what's ahead. If a crisis has already arrived, I can help your family evaluate options such as guardianship or conservatorship.

Injured because of someone else's negligence?

If you've been hurt in a car accident, a fall, or another incident caused by someone else's carelessness, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Alabama's rules are among the strictest in the nation — deadlines apply, and even a small mistake in how you handle your claim can bar recovery entirely. That's why it's important to speak with an attorney early, before you talk to the insurance company. I'll listen to what happened, explain your options in plain language, and fight for the recovery you deserve while you focus on healing.

Rental Property Disputes, Leases & Evictions:

Whether you're a landlord protecting your investment or a tenant protecting the place in which you live, landlord-tenant law affects some of the most important parts of your life. I assist landlords with lease drafting and review, security deposit compliance, and lawful evictions under the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act — and I help tenants understand their rights when facing an eviction, an unsafe living condition, or a withheld deposit. Rental disputes escalate quickly; getting sound legal advice early usually saves both sides time, money, and stress.