Louisiana Wills Lawyer

Louisiana Wills Attorney

Most people think that only those who are older and have many assets need to make a will. However, many individuals can benefit from creating a will. This document can outline many different parts of the financial, medical, and personal decisions that must occur after your death. To help your loved ones navigate the succession process after you pass away, contact a Louisiana wills lawyer.

Offering Practical Estate Planning Assistance

Field Law has experience in a wide variety of estate planning matters, including creating wills, developing trusts, and assisting with succession. Our legal know-how allows us to provide cost estimates upfront in certain cases, so you won’t be surprised by unexpected charges. We strive to provide personalized and cost-effective estate planning solutions to individuals from a variety of backgrounds.

Understanding Wills

A will is an important document that is often multipurpose. Its main goal is to outline how property and assets within an estate will be distributed after the owner passes away. These assets can be distributed to individuals or organizations like charities. A will must also address potential debts and repay them before assets can be paid out to heirs or legatees.

Even if you have another form of estate planning document like a trust, a will is a good way to protect all of your assets, including those that cannot be placed into a trust. It can also prevent complications if you acquire assets shortly before passing away and do not have time to place them into a trust. Many individuals have both documents as a way to streamline the succession process for their loved ones.

If you have a complicated financial situation with many types of assets or would like to leave property to multiple people, it’s wise to consult with an estate planning attorney to make sure your assets are distributed as you wish.

Why Do I Need an Attorney?

Wills that are created by an experienced estate planning attorney can help you save money in the long run. With proper estate planning, you can take advantage of tax policies to prevent surprising your loved ones with tax bills after your death. These laws change regularly, so if your documents are created without the help of an attorney, your loved ones might be in for unintended tax consequences.

Some other benefits of consulting with an estate plan attorney include:

• Life Insurance Considerations: Many individuals who create estate plans also have life insurance policies that their loved ones can collect upon their death. However, these assets are usually not thought about until after death. If these assets are not properly managed, they might be difficult for your beneficiaries to claim.
• Property With Multiple Heirs: In some cases, individuals give their property to multiple heirs without understanding the legal consequences that come with this move. Instead of adding individuals to a property’s title as co-owners, who may struggle to agree on the upkeep and bills, it is usually more beneficial to use estate planning as a way to pass on assets. This can avoid complicating your heir’s financial situation and reduce taxes.
• Additional Considerations: Estate planning involves more than just a will. In the event that you become incapacitated and are unable to make decisions for yourself, a power of attorney can outline how you would like important medical and financial decisions to be made. You can grant power of attorney to a trusted individual to manage your assets for you.
• Updates: Even if you already have a will, it is still a good idea to review it with your attorney after any major life changes to make sure it still reflects your wishes. An outdated will can spur complications similar to those caused by not having one in the first place.

FAQs

Q: What Voids a Will in Louisiana?

A: Many things could void a will in Louisiana. If the will is notarial, it must be signed by the creator (otherwise known as the testator) in front of witnesses and notarized with a specific attestation clause. If this is not done or if the witnesses do not qualify, then the will could be considered void.

Olographic wills do not need to be notarized, but they must be written by the testator and then signed and dated. If the testator is not mentally competent or is influenced by others when creating the will, then the document might not be considered valid.

Q: Is a Handwritten Will Valid in Louisiana?

A: Handwritten wills can be valid in Louisiana as long as the will was written by the owner of the estate. It must also be signed and dated by the owner. These are called olographic wills. The creator of the will can modify their will after signing as long as they write the modifications themselves.

Q: What Type of Lawyer Is Good for Wills?

A: Estate planning attorneys are good lawyers to hire when creating a will. They do not exclusively create wills, however. Attorneys experienced in estate planning law can also help create other things like trusts, powers of attorney, and more. It can be helpful to consult with an estate planning attorney before creating a will to see if your estate would benefit from ways to minimize the tax burden on your assets after death.

Q: Do Wills Need to Be Notarized in Louisiana?

A: Wills can be notarized in Louisiana. There are two types of wills in Louisiana: notarized wills and olographic wills. Olographic wills do not have to be notarized, but they must be written by the creator of the will. Notarial wills don’t have to be written by the creator, but they must be signed in front of a notary and additional witnesses in order to be legally valid. For more information on will requirements in Louisiana, contact an estate planning attorney.

Grant Peace of Mind to Yourself and Your Loved Ones

It’s easy to put off creating a will, but it’s an extremely important document that allows your loved ones to ensure your wishes are carried out. The sooner a will is created, the more security you can have over your and your loved ones’ future. To learn more about how an attorney can help draft or update your will, schedule a consultation with Field Law today.