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Estate Planning In Louisiana

Estate planning is one of the most important steps any person can take. Planning for your estate will ensure that your final property and health care wishes are honored, and that loved ones are provided for in your absence. Many online companies offer low-cost estate planning services with big promises. Unfortunately, a cookie-cutter-type will or trust could become a costly mistake if Louisiana’s unique laws are overlooked.

At Marionneaux Kantrow, LLC, we help our clients establish cost-effective wills and trusts the first time around. Our legal team has more than 30 years of combined experience in the industry and we know how to develop effective estate plans, taking into account business successions and other complicated issues. Put our law firm’s experience and legal skills to work for you. Contact a Baton Rouge estate planning lawyer today.

What Is An “Estate”?

Your “estate” consists of all property owned by you at the time of your death. Such property includes bank accounts, stocks, bonds, securities, life insurance policies, restate and personal property, such as jewelry, automobiles and artwork.

How Can An Estate Plan Help Me?

Regardless of your age, or the size and complexity of your estate, an estate plan is important for everyone. An estate plan can help you appoint family members and other loved ones to receive your property after your death. It will also ensure that your property will be transferred to those you have identified, as quickly and easily as possible. Often times an estate plan can help you minimize the amount of taxes that will need to be paid in order for your property to pass to your beneficiaries after your death. In certain circumstances, an estate plan can avoid the time and costs associated with the probate process by utilizing estate planning devices like a revocable living trust and Power of Attorney. Other estate planning documents can dictate the kinds of life-prolonging medical care you wish to receive should you be incapable to make your wished known by using a Health Care Power of Attorney or Living Will.

Understanding the estate plan options that are right for you can be a complex undertaking. The attorneys at Marionneaux Kantrow, LLC, can help you identify your estate planning needs and recognize potential solutions.

What Is A “Will” And Why Is It Important That I Have One?

A will is a document executed with the formalities of law, whereby a person makes a disposition of his or her property to take effect after his or her death. How a person’s estate is distributed after death depends on whether he or she died with or without a will. If a person dies with a will, which is referred to as dying “testate,” then the decedent’s estate will be distributed as per the will.

What Happens When An Individual Does Not Leave A Will?

When a person dies without leaving a will (intestate), the Louisiana Laws of an Intestate Succession determine who will inherit his estate. If the deceased leaves children, they will inherit the estate in equal portions. If a child dies before his parent, then the child’s children will inherit his share, that is, the grandchildren can inherit their parent’s share of a grandparent’s estate. Where the deceased has never had any children, who will inherit his property depends upon whether it is separate or community property.

There are many other ways in which to protect one’s estate and wishes and we believe that a client should take the time to reflect on the different avenues to do with experienced attorneys. At Marionneaux Kantrow, LLC, we look forward to discussing your needs to ensure that your estate decisions preserve your assets for your families and reflect your true wishes.

Contact Experienced Baton Rouge Estate Planning Attorneys

For experienced estate planning services, call Marionneaux Kantrow, LLC, at 225-769-7473. Located in Baton Rouge, we serve clients throughout Louisiana as well as clients out of state who have corporate and commercial needs in Louisiana.