Baton Rouge Estate Planning Lawyer

Shape Your Family’s Legacy And Future With Innovative Estate Planning

Planning for the future can cause anxiety for a lot of people. However, a carefully crafted estate plan by a Baton Rouge estate planning lawyer can help relieve anxiety, providing the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have everything squared away.

For this reason, it’s vital to pursue an estate plan sooner rather than later in life – and to keep it updated with all of life’s shifting circumstances. While we have little control over what may happen to us over the course of our lives, we can use estate planning tools to shape our legacies and fortify our financial stability.

Choosing The Right Estate Planning Lawyer

Finding the right attorney is just as important as making the decision to implement or update an estate plan. Your lawyer should have solid legal footing and in-depth experience navigating not only estate planning in Louisiana, but also the tax considerations that often go along with it.

Carl Goode is an experienced attorney and founder of Goode Tax and Estate Planning Law Group, LLC, in Baton Rouge. As a board-certified estate planning and administration specialist – one of only a few in the state – he has the insight you need to put a rock-solid estate plan into place. He is also board-certified in tax law and holds a Master of Law degree in taxation, which gives him a leg up in addressing estate-related tax issues. With 40-plus years of experience, he is the right choice for those seeking peace of mind in preparing for the future.

Carl can help you establish an estate plan tailored to meet your needs and secure your family’s future.

How An Estate Plan Can Benefit People From All Walks Of Life

Many people mistakenly believe that an estate plan can only benefit the wealthy or those who are in the twilight years of their lives. The fact is, an estate plan can be useful for those with limited assets or for younger people, particularly young couples or parents.

A comprehensive estate plan involves more than simply distributing your assets after you have passed on. It can also outline your medical wishes should you ever become incapacitated, allow you to name a trusted guardian if you are unable to care for your children or enable you to protect your assets while also qualifying for long-term care assistance. With an estate plan in place that addresses all these contingencies, you can rest assured that if an unexpected tragedy arises, your loved ones will be taken care of and your wishes upheld.

Putting The Right Estate Planning Tools Into Place

Generally, most estate plans include legal instruments such as:

• Last will and testaments
• Trusts
• Powers of attorney
• Living wills

Choosing the right tools for your situation involves a detailed analysis of your financial and family circumstances as well as your goals and wishes. Carl will discuss your individual situation to provide insightful guidance on which of these estate planning tools are best suited to help you achieve your goals.

Why Work With A Lawyer Who Also Handles Estate Administration And Successions

In addition to preparing estate plans, Carl assists individuals and families with the complex process of probate and successions after the death of a loved one. His skill in this area shapes and informs his approach to estate planning. He knows firsthand how ambiguous or poorly-drafted estate planning documents can open the door to costly disputes. He uses that insight to craft stronger, more effective estate plans on the front end, minimizing the risk of complications down the road.

Issues an Estate Plan May Address

An estate plan can address a variety of concerns related to an individual’s death and also their incapacitation. Some of the primary issues include:

• Assets. A thorough estate plan will make a plan for an individual’s assets. This could include a will.However, it may often involve something like a trust, as well. The important consideration is what your objectives are for how the assets should be handled and developing a plan that aligns with those objectives.
• Minor Children. A plan for who will care for and have guardianship over any minor children is a critical part of an estate plan for anyone who may be in this stage of life.
• Special Needs. For individuals caring for something with special needs, an estate plan can help put in place a plan for their care and needs.
• Incapacitation. Setting up powers of attorney can be critical to ensuring that your affairs, both financial and medical, are handled according to your desires if you were to become incapacitated.
• End of Life. A living will can elaborate on the treatment that you would expect in an end-of-life scenario.

FAQs:

Q: Can You Do a Succession Without a Lawyer in Louisiana?

A: While it may be possible to do a succession without an attorney, it is not advisable. There are many instances throughout the process where it may be helpful to have an experienced party who understands the process and regulations involved. In particular, there is the possibility of disputes, and having a lawyer present may be able to help mitigate some of the tension and disagreement.

Q: How Long Does an Executor Have to Settle an Estate in Louisiana?

A: There is not a strict deadline for when an estate will need to be settled by an executor in Louisiana. There will need to be enough time for the process to be done correctly, and in the case of complex successions or when disputes arise, the process could be extended. However, one of the most effective means of accelerating the process is working with an attorney who can help encourage the process along and help the executor work through issues that may be slowing the process.

Q: How Should Inheritance Be Divided in Louisiana?

A: Inheritance in Louisiana is divided based on some different criteria if there is no estate plan in place. It involves dividing the property into community property and separate property if there is a surviving spouse, and then there are complex rules about what surviving family members will receive what property. However, it’s often much easier on families if there is an estate plan in place that defines who will receive which benefits.

Q: What Documents Are Needed for Succession in Louisiana?

A: The documents needed for succession in Louisiana will differ depending on the specifics of the succession. However, if there is a will, that document is critical to the process. For the other documents that you may need, it can be helpful to work with a lawyer who can identify the documents necessary to your circumstances and help prepare them.

Contact A Board-Certified Estate Planning And Administration Lawyer

To find out more about estate planning in Louisiana, call Goode Tax and Estate Planning Law Group, LLC, at 225-663-8076. You may also schedule a consultation by completing the online contact form.