Melissa Rodriguez
“The most important part of an estate plan isn't the documents. It's the people behind them.”
Melissa's approach combines legal expertise with financial awareness. Holding both a Juris Doctor and a Master of Trust and Wealth Management, she brings a comprehensive perspective to estate planning, drawing on her understanding of asset management, fiduciary principles, and tax planning. She helps clients navigate complex decisions with practical strategies that reflect both their long-term goals and the unique dynamics of their families.
Melissa believes effective estate planning begins with listening. Every client comes with their own goals, concerns, relationships, and life experiences, and she takes the time to understand what matters most before developing a plan.
Known for her approachable style, Melissa strives to make estate planning feel clear and manageable rather than overwhelming. Clients appreciate her ability to explain complex legal concepts in a practical, easy-to-understand way while creating an environment where questions are welcomed and concerns are met with empathy and understanding. Her goal is not only to create effective legal documents, but also to help clients feel informed, empowered, and confident about the future. Through Magnolia Estate Planning, Melissa is committed to providing personalized guidance and creating thoughtful plans that help clients move forward with clarity and confidence.
Melissa is licensed to practice law in Tennessee and North Carolina, bringing a multi-jurisdictional perspective to her work that benefits clients with interests across state lines. In 2026, she was recognized as a Lawyer to Watch by Attorney at Law Magazine.
When she is not working with clients, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband, Chad, and their corgi, Blaire. She also loves exploring the towns, mountains, and natural beauty of East Tennessee.
Client Experiences
“Melissa was wonderful to work with—knowledgeable, patient, and easy to talk to. She made the estate planning process simple and explained everything clearly. We really appreciate her help and would definitely recommend her!”
“Melissa went above and beyond to answer our questions, clear up any confusion, and patiently explain and walk us through an extensive amount of paperwork. We couldn't have been happier working with her.”
“Melissa was both thoughtful and knowledgeable throughout the entire process — she took the time to explain complex concepts in a way that actually made sense and made sure we felt confident in every decision we made.”
“Melissa was incredible, she patiently went through all the details with us and made sure we understood everything along the way.”
“Melissa has been awesome to work with. So professional, great at explaining options clearly, always taking time to answer all of our questions, patient, friendly, prompt, and much more. We’ve felt so supported throughout this entire process.”
“We had some unique requests in our estate plan, and Melissa expertly guided us through the process. She also handled communication with third parties when needed to make sure we all were in sync.”