Louisiana Estate Planning Lawyer
Louisiana Estate Planning Attorney
Thinking about the future can be stressful, but an estate plan can help make it easier. An estate plan can help you make concrete decisions about important future decisions like medical care, financial management, and more.
It might seem like the future is impossible to control, but an estate plan can help your loved ones navigate the process on your behalf. Start creating your estate plan today by contacting a Louisiana estate planning lawyer.
Develop a Detailed Plan for Your Family’s Future
At Field Law, we understand how difficult the estate planning process can be. Louisiana has detailed rules for estate planning that differ from most other states. Therefore, it’s important to work with a local Louisiana-based attorney if you live in the state.
With a thorough estate plan, the succession process can be easier for your heirs, especially if they live far away. We can help you create a comprehensive estate plan, as well as assist those going through succession for a loved one.
Estate Planning
Most people think of a will as the only document in their estate plan, but this is often not the case. Estate plans often feature several different documents that go into detail about the individual’s assets, final wishes, and other desires, including things like:
- Medical Decisions: Many individuals lose the ability to make medical decisions for themselves before their death. To prepare for this possibility, you can appoint a trusted individual to make these decisions for you. This way, you can make sure your voice is heard when considering healthcare choices.
- Administration of the Body: After death, many things must be decided about your remains. You can outline these decisions in your estate plan, including how you would like your remains to be stored, whether or not you want a ceremony, and how you would like it to take place.
- Accommodations for Children: Most people associate estate plans with the elderly, but they can also help parents with minor children. In the event that you die before your children become adults, you can specify who their guardians will be to eliminate unnecessary complications and confusion.
- Charity: If you are close to a certain charity or organization, you can leave some of your assets to them to pass on your legacy. The details of this exchange can be outlined through several different documents within an estate plan, depending on the type of asset and how you would like it to be used.
- Business Administration: Determining who will manage your business after you pass away is one of the most important parts of an estate plan, especially for small business owners. Don’t assume that a business partner or a loved one will manage the business effectively. Instead, create additional documentation outlining succession for your business to ensure that it runs as smoothly as possible.
Why Do I Need an Attorney?
Louisiana’s laws on estate planning, wills, trusts, and successions significantly differ from other states. This means that estate plans created in different states might need to be updated if you move to Louisiana. Additionally, Louisiana has detailed laws on how your will and other estate planning documents are created, which are important to follow to ensure that the document is legally valid.
Another benefit to working with an estate planning attorney is that they can help you create a personalized estate plan that benefits your needs. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, an attorney can create documents targeted to your estate’s goals. This can make the succession process easier and help you avoid common pitfalls that lead to excessive taxes and additional paperwork.
FAQs
Q: What Is the Inheritance Process Like in Louisiana?
A: The inheritance process can vary depending on the context of the late individual’s circumstances. If they did not make a will, much of their property may be inherited by their children or their spouse. If the decedent did create a valid will, their assets would be distributed as they described in the will. For more information on inheritance laws in Louisiana, contact an estate planning attorney.
Q: Why Is Estate Planning Important?
A: Estate planning is important because it documents how your property and other assets will be divided upon your death. Creating a thorough estate plan with the help of an attorney can help your beneficiaries avoid legal hassles in the future. An estate plan can also answer difficult questions for loved ones on your behalf, like serious medical decisions, how you will be treated after death, and the ability to allow others to make other decisions for you.
Q: Do I Need a Lawyer for a Will in Louisiana?
A: While it is not legally required to hire a lawyer to create a will in Louisiana, it is still a good idea to consult with one. Wills in Louisiana have detailed requirements in order to be considered valid. If these instructions are not followed, the entire document could be considered invalid, meaning that your final wishes might not be able to be carried out. For assistance in creating a will and other forms of estate plans, contact an estate planning lawyer.
Q: Is a Trust Better Than a Will in Louisiana?
A: Trusts could be better than a will for certain estates, depending on the circumstances. They allow individuals to skip the succession process for certain assets by directly transferring ownership to beneficiaries. While they are a great way to shorten the legal process, some assets are required to go through succession and cannot be placed in a trust. For this reason, most individuals who have a trust also have a will to include other decisions and assets that cannot go into a trust.
Contact Field Law
It’s normal to be hesitant about creating an estate plan. That’s why it’s so important to contact a professional to make sure it’s done correctly. An estate planning attorney can help you create an estate plan that gives you control over your assets and your end-of-life care. For more information on how Field Law can help you meet your estate planning goals, schedule a consultation today.
