The Risks of a DIY Estate Plan
Creating an estate plan is one of the most important steps to protect your family and assets. With the rise of online estate planning tools, it may be tempting to handle this process on your own. While these services claim to offer quick and affordable solutions, DIY estate plans often lead to...
Essential Documents You Should Include in Your Estate Plan
It’s important to have an estate plan so you can dictate what happens to your property after you die, provide financial support for your beneficiaries, designate someone to act on your behalf if you are ever incapacitated, and achieve other important objectives. Whether you are single and live on your own or...
The Importance of Keeping Your Estate Plan Updated
Creating a comprehensive estate plan is a critical step in protecting your family, protecting yourself during periods of incapacity and unavailability, preserving the value of your estate, and ensuring that your assets are passed along to your chosen heirs. However, the life stage in which you create your plan may not last...
Planning for Special Needs: Ensuring Care for Loved Ones
If you have a child or other family member with special needs, you can appreciate the importance of diligent planning to look after your loved one. This includes provisions you make as part of your estate plan. Although each estate plan must take into account the planner’s unique circumstances, this is especially...
Estate Planning Considerations For the Holiday Season
Estate planning is probably the last thing that you are thinking about as the holidays approach. Despite all of the other obligations keeping you busy this time of year, it’s actually a great opportunity to think about your estate plan. Whether you already have a plan that you haven’t reviewed in...
Estate Planning for Young Families: Protecting Your Children’s Future
Young families have a great deal of planning to do from the moment they welcome a new child into the world. One step that parents need to think about early is estate planning. The estate planning concerns and considerations of younger families will be different than those of older, more established...
The Role of Trusts in Estate Planning: Types and Benefits
Trusts are one of the most flexible tools available when it comes to estate planning. They allow you to maintain control over your assets, reduce taxes, and ensure your wishes are carried out after you’re gone. Whether you’re looking to protect your wealth or provide for a loved one, trusts offer...
How to Minimize or Simplify Succession: Strategies for a Seamless Transfer of Assets
Succession (Louisiana’s term for probate you hear in other states) can feel like a complicated and lengthy process, especially when it comes at a time when families are already dealing with loss. With the right planning, however, there are ways to make things easier for your loved ones. By taking...
Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trust
When it comes to estate planning in Louisiana, trusts can be valuable tools for managing your property during your lifetime and ensuring it is distributed according to your wishes after your death. Two primary types of trusts are revocable and irrevocable trusts. Each has its unique features and benefits, and understanding...
The Impact of Marriage and Divorce on Your Estate Plan
Life changes, such as marriage and divorce, significantly impact your estate plan. Whether you're newly married, considering a prenuptial agreement, or going through a divorce, it's essential to adjust your estate plan to reflect your new circumstances.
Marriage: Updating Your Estate Plan for Your New Life