After legal disputes regarding the estate of Gainesville philanthropist and wife of James A. “Jim” Walters, Peggy E. Walters, a final settlement has been reached.
According to a press release, the agreement “honors the intent of Mrs. Walters’ original 2021 will, ensures her daughters are able to continue the family’s longstanding legacy of generosity, and provides substantial charitable support to the Gainesville community.”
Gwinnett County Probate Court Judge Christopher Ballar upheld the 2021 last will and testament, rejecting a 2022 will that was challenged in court.
The agreement affirms Mrs. Walters’ daughters, Jacqueline W. Slaughter and Kelly W. Robinson, as the rightful executors and trustees of the estate.
Now, the Walters’ daughters will distribute over $4.5-million to eight local organizations.
Those include:
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The Boys and Girls Clubs of Lanier
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Sisu of Georgia
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Georgia Mountains YMCA
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Junior Achievement of Georgia
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My Sister’s Place
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Good News at Noon
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City Church of Gainesville
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North Georgia Community Foundation in the We Care Fund
“These charitable gifts reflect the heart of our parents’ legacy and our shared belief in giving back to a community that has given so much to our family,” Slaughter and Robinson said in a joint statement. “Despite a great deal of misinformation and misrepresentation, today’s resolution allows us to move forward, continue our family’s tradition of charitable giving, and positively impact lives throughout the greater Gainesville community.”
The remainder of the estate will be administered according to the 2021 will.
“The Walters family is grateful to the community for its support and looks forward to honoring their parents’ legacy through action and generosity in the years ahead,” the press release read.
