Should You Share Your Estate Plan With Your Heirs?
Many people wonder whether to share the details of their estate plan with their heirs. Transparency can prevent confusion and legal disputes later, but it may also create tension within the family. The right decision depends on your relationships, your goals, and the structure of your estate plan. Open communication can build...
How to Choose the Right Executor for Your Louisiana Estate
Selecting an executor is one of the most important decisions you make when preparing your estate plan. In Louisiana, the executor (sometimes called a succession representative) carries out your wishes, handles paperwork, and manages the estate until everything is distributed correctly. The person you choose should be responsible, trustworthy, and capable of...
My Loved One Died Without a Will in Louisiana: What Should I Do?
When someone close to you passes away, the last thing you want to worry about is paperwork and court filings. Yet if they didn’t leave a will, questions about who inherits their property can come up right away. In Louisiana, this situation is handled through intestate succession, a legal process that determines...
Using a Trust to Manage Family Property or Business in Louisiana
Managing family property or a business in Louisiana comes with unique challenges. Families want to preserve what they’ve built, avoid disputes, and make sure assets are used wisely. One way to achieve this is by creating a trust. A trust can give you greater control over how property and business interests are...
Can You Use a Trust to Protect Property From Medicaid Recovery?
If you or a loved one may need long-term care in the future, you’ve probably heard about Medicaid—and possibly Medicaid estate recovery. After a Medicaid recipient dies, the state may seek to recover care costs from their estate.
The good news is that there are legal tools that may...
Understanding Louisiana’s Community Property System in Estate Planning
When you start planning for the future, one of the first things to look at is how your property is owned. In Louisiana, we follow a community property system, which means that the way property is divided between spouses works differently than it does in most other states. If you’re married or...
What Parents of Children With Special Needs Should Know About Inheritance
Caring for a child with a disability often means thinking several steps ahead. As a parent, one of your greatest concerns may be what happens when you’re no longer here to provide for them. Among the most important choices you’ll face is how to leave an inheritance that offers support without putting...
Do I Really Need a Will in Louisiana? Here’s Why the Answer Is Yes
You may be wondering if a will is something you really need. If you don’t have much property or think your family will “just figure it out,” it might seem unnecessary. However, in Louisiana, not having a will can lead to confusion, delays, and outcomes that you never intended. A will isn’t...
Planning for a Child With Disabilities: Estate Planning Tools That Work
If you’re raising a child with disabilities, you’ve probably thought about their future more than once. What happens when you're no longer around to provide care or support? Will your child have the resources they need to live comfortably? These questions are hard, but the answers start with a solid estate plan.
The Step-Up in Basis: How Estate Planning Can Optimize Tax Benefits
Most people don’t think about capital gains taxes when planning their estate. But there’s a simple rule that can make a big difference for your family: the step-up in basis. With the right planning, this tax rule can help your loved ones inherit property without getting stuck with a large tax bill...
