Wills, Successions, and Estate Planning Attorneys

Comprehensive Estate Planning and Succession Services

Estate planning is not a one-size-fits-all process. Every individual and family has unique goals, assets, and concerns. Our attorneys work closely with clients to develop tailored strategies that reflect their personal, financial, and family circumstances.

We assist clients with:

• Drafting wills and testamentary documents
• Estate planning strategies for individuals and families
• Successions and estate administration
• Asset protection planning
• Planning for minor children and dependents
• Business succession planning
• Coordination of beneficiary designations
• Addressing complex or high-value estates

Whether you are creating an estate plan for the first time or updating an existing plan, we ensure your documents are clear, enforceable, and aligned with your long-term goals.

The Importance of a Properly Drafted Will

A will is the foundation of most estate plans. It provides instructions for how your property should be distributed, who will manage your estate, and who will care for minor children. Without a valid will, state laws determine how assets are distributed, which may not reflect your wishes.

A properly drafted will allows you to:

• Designate beneficiaries for your assets
• Appoint an executor you trust
• Name guardians for minor children
• Reduce disputes among heirs
• Clarify your intentions in writing

Our attorneys take the time to understand your family dynamics and financial situation to ensure your will accurately reflects your wishes and minimizes the risk of conflict.

Successions and Estate Administration

After a loved one passes away, their estate must go through a legal process to distribute assets and settle obligations. This process, known as succession or estate administration, can be complex and time-consuming, particularly when disputes arise or when estates involve significant assets.

We assist executors, administrators, and beneficiaries with:

• Opening and administering successions
• Identifying and valuing estate assets
• Resolving creditor claims
• Distributing property to heirs
• Addressing disputes among beneficiaries
• Navigating court requirements and deadlines

Our goal is to guide families through the process efficiently while minimizing stress and ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Estate Planning to Avoid Conflict and Delay

Many families experience disputes not because of disagreements, but because of unclear or incomplete planning. Ambiguous documents, outdated plans, or missing instructions often lead to confusion and litigation.

Effective estate planning helps:

• Reduce the risk of family conflict
• Avoid unnecessary court involvement
• Streamline the administration process
• Protect assets from unintended distribution
• Provide clarity during difficult times

We focus on proactive planning designed to reduce uncertainty and protect both assets and relationships.

Planning for Changing Circumstances

Estate plans should evolve as life changes. Marriage, divorce, children, business growth, property acquisitions, and changes in financial circumstances can all impact an estate plan’s effectiveness.

We regularly help clients:

• Update wills after major life events
• Revise plans to reflect new assets or beneficiaries
• Address blended family concerns
• Incorporate business ownership into estate plans
• Align estate plans with long-term financial goals

Ongoing review and updates help ensure your plan continues to serve its intended purpose.

Business and Asset Protection Considerations

For business owners, estate planning extends beyond personal assets. Ownership interests, operational control, and continuity must be addressed to protect the business and those who rely on it.

We assist business owners by:

• Coordinating business succession strategies
• Addressing ownership transfers
• Planning for continuity of operations
• Reducing uncertainty for partners and employees
• Protecting business value for heirs

Thoughtful planning helps ensure businesses continue operating smoothly while honoring the owner’s wishes.

When Can a Trust be Beneficial

Avoiding or Minimizing a Court Succession
Assets properly placed in a trust generally do not pass through a Louisiana court succession. This can reduce delays, lower costs, maintain privacy, and allow beneficiaries quicker access to assets.

Managing Forced Heirship Issues
Louisiana law includes forced heirship rules that protect certain heirs. A trust can be used to hold the forced portion of an estate while controlling how and when distributions are made.

Protecting a Surviving Spouse
Trusts are commonly used to provide income or use of assets to a surviving spouse while preserving principal for children, particularly in blended-family situations or second marriages.

Owning Significant or Complex Assets
Trusts are beneficial when an estate includes multiple properties, business interests, investment accounts, or out-of-state assets, allowing centralized management and smoother transitions.

Business Succession Planning
Business owners often use trusts to maintain continuity, prevent disputes among heirs, and separate ownership from management after death or incapacity.

Planning for Incapacity
A trust allows a successor trustee to manage assets if the grantor becomes incapacitated, often avoiding the need for court-appointed guardianship or curatorship.

Minor or Special-Needs Beneficiaries
Trusts can delay distributions until a beneficiary reaches a certain age and protect eligibility for government benefits for special-needs beneficiaries.

Maintaining Privacy
Unlike wills, trusts are not filed into public court records, making them attractive for families and business owners who value confidentiality.

Controlling Distributions
Trusts allow the grantor to control how and when assets are distributed, such as staggered payments or conditions tied to education or other milestones.