M. Powell Peters

M. Powell Peters is a highly respected attorney with a distinguished career in estate planning, tax law, and fiduciary matters. His practice focuses on providing clients with tax-advantaged strategies for wealth transfer, trust administration, fiduciary litigation, and complex estate administration. He has advised and represented various clients, including charitable trusts, public charities, foundations, and trust departments, ensuring compliance with legal standards while maximizing financial benefits.

Peters’ academic background is both extensive and impressive. He earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1982, followed by a Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law, Winston Salem, North Carolina, in 1986. He also earned a Master of Business Administration from Babcock Graduate School of Management, Winston Salem. His combined legal and financial education has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of tax law, estate planning, and financial strategies, which he applies to his legal practice.

Peters launched his professional career as a Senior Tax Consultant at Ernst & Young (1986–1991), building deep expertise in tax law, regulatory compliance, and strategic financial planning. In 1991, he joined Payne, Gates, Farthing & Radd, P.C., and later advanced to serve as Of Counsel, Chief Financial Officer, and General Counsel at Approved Financial Corporation, where he combined legal insight with high-level financial oversight. By 1995, Peters became a key leader at Wolcott Rivers, playing a pivotal role in the firm’s growth and its eventual merger with his former firm to form Wolcott Rivers Gates.

Recognized for his expertise, M. Powell Peters has been consistently honored in the legal community. He has been selected as a Best Lawyer (Best Lawyers Peer Review, 2024), a “Super Lawyer” (SuperLawyers.com Peer Review, 2021-2024), and one of Virginia’s “Legal Elite” (Virginia Business Magazine, 2015-2020). Additionally, he has lectured for prestigious organizations, including the Virginia Law Foundation, North Carolina Bar Association, and National Business Institute, sharing his knowledge on estate planning, tax law, and fiduciary matters.

A dedicated professional, Peters is an Accredited Estate Planner and has held leadership roles in multiple legal and financial organizations. His expertise and commitment to his clients have made him a trusted estate and tax law authority across Virginia and North Carolina.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Wolcott Rivers Gates
• Member, North Carolina Bar Association (Elder Law, Estate Planning Fiduciary Law, and Tax Law)
• Member, Norfolk & Portsmouth Bar Association
• Member, National Association of Estate Planners and Councils
• Member, Virginia Bar Association (Elder Law, Taxation, Wills, Trusts and Estates)

Licensed State

• Virginia
• North Carolina

Education

• Wake Forest University School of Law
  Juris Degree (JD)
• Babcock Graduate School of Management
  Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• University of North Carolina
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges