Estate planning

A basic estate plan, typically, includes a will, a designation for the executor of the estate, an advance healthcare directive and a power of attorney. A will is a legal document that outlines the will maker’s, or testator’s, last wishes and beneficiaries of their...

Including the right documents in your estate plan is crucial to the plan providing you and the people you love with adequate protection. There are many different documents that people can add to their estate plans depending on their financial circumstances and family...

Even very responsible adults can find reasonable-sounding excuses to delay estate planning. If they take the time to create a will, they may fail to add more documents to their estate plan that broaden their protection and improve the support available for their loved...

No one can predict what will happen as they age, so it is typically wisest to plan for even the worst-case scenario. You can best protect yourself when you have addressed situations that will leave you physically, financially and legally vulnerable. Testators creating...

When someone dies in Louisiana, they either leave behind documents about their legacy or leave their resources and loved ones at the mercy of Louisiana succession laws. Those who make the effort to plan ahead may leave money to charity and allocate specific property...

You may want the legacy that you leave for your family to be a positive thing. Providing your children, spouse or grandchildren with financial assets, real estate or even personal property with sentimental value can be a powerful legacy. Those hoping to leave...

One of the many reasons that people add trusts to their estate plans is to preserve our most valuable assets. The property in your name at the time of your death can be vulnerable to claims by creditors, Medicaid estate recovery program and tax authorities. Testators...

If you have decided to establish an estate plan, you are one step closer to providing financial stability and peace of mind to your family members and yourself. By avoiding these common estate planning errors, you can move even closer to achieving your legal and...

If you’re making your estate plans, you may have an heir that is causing you concern. You want to leave them something, but they have proven to be somewhat irresponsible with their money and assets in the past. This is your legacy — and these are the assets you worked...

You started a business when you were younger and helped it grow over the decades. It’s your sole source of income. Now you want to leave it to your children. You know how valuable a business can be as an asset. If they take it over, they have the chance to help it...