Traditionally, estate planning has focused on more technical objectives, such as minimizing gift and estate taxes and protecting assets against creditors’ claims or lawsuits. These goals are still important, but affluent families are increasingly turning their attention to “softer,” yet equally critical, aspirations, such as educating the younger generation, preparing them to manage wealth responsibly, […]Continue reading

Owning assets jointly with one or more of your children or other heirs is a common estate planning “shortcut.” But like many shortcuts, it may produce unintended — and costly — consequences, and may not even be effective in Louisiana. Joint Ownership Advantages There are two potential advantages to joint ownership: convenience and probate avoidance. […]Continue reading

If you have minor children, choosing a guardian to care for them should you die unexpectedly is one of the most important estate planning decisions you must make. It’s also one of the most difficult. So difficult, in fact, that avoiding it is one of the most common reasons people put off drafting an estate […]Continue reading

Although much of estate planning deals with what happens after you die, it’s equally important to have a plan for making critical financial or medical decisions if you’re unable to make them for yourself. Carefully designed financial and health care powers of attorney allow you to designate a trusted person to make financial and medical […]Continue reading

Should a Tax Apportionment Clause be in Your Estate Plan? Even though the federal gift and estate tax exemption is currently very high ($11.7 million for 2021), there are families that still have to contend with significant federal estate tax liability. Plus, the exemption is scheduled to drop significantly in 2026, and reducing it sooner […]Continue reading

Trust Lawyer in Shreveport, LA When you are hiring a trust lawyer in Shreveport, LA, it can be expensive. But you can learn how to save money by hiring the right trust lawyer in Shreveport, LA, and preparing for the first meeting with your lawyer. By doing this, you will make the most of your […]Continue reading

If your family owns a vacation home, you know what a relaxing refuge it can be. This is especially true these days due to the limited travel options you may have because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. However, without a solid plan and ground rules that all family members agree to, conflict and tension may result […]Continue reading

A revocable living trust is often used to complement a will. For instance, you might transfer specific securities to the trust. Notably, these assets generally don’t have to go through the probate process, which can be time-consuming and expensive. They’re also generally protected from creditors and may be managed by professionals. Thus, a living trust […]Continue reading