Wealth Planning Law Group

Fundamental Estate Planning

We have helped thousands of families protect their wealth from the government, lawsuits, taxes and creditors.

Home » Fundamental Estate Planning

Request our FREE Resource outlining the five levels of planning our law firm uses as a starting point to create a customized plan.

Request Now
Estate Planning Attorney

Estate planning encompasses numerous legal avenues, including mechanisms like wills, various forms of trusts, durable powers of attorney, and health care documents. It's common for new clients to believe they haven't established an estate plan. However, many are astonished to discover that in actuality, they do have one. Without proactive legal measures, an individual's estate defaults to being divided posthumously per the laws of intestacy in Louisiana. Naturally, this state-dictated division might not reflect their personal wishes.

By constructing a meticulously drafted estate plan, you can supersede the state's default guidelines with those of your own design. This process ensures your assets are allocated and your loved ones are cared for in ways that align with your values and intentions. Engage in the planning process with an estate planning attorney to establish a personalized plan that faithfully represents your desires and leaves nothing to chance.

Request A Consultation

More About Estate Planning Services:

Your Last Will and Testament

In the realm of estate planning, creating a Last Will and Testament with Wealth Planning Law Group ensures personalized and comprehensive guidance. This crucial document lays the foundation for peace of mind, knowing your wishes will be honored upon your passing. Below, we outline the fundamental aspects and functions of a will:

Expression of Personal Wishes: Your will is a legal reflection of your desires, specifying how you want your assets distributed and to whom after your death, ensuring your decisions dictate the future of your estate.

Appointment of Executors and Guardians: In your will, you can:

  • Designate an executor, responsible for managing the estate settlement process.
  • Appoint guardians for minor children, providing certainty for their care if you’re not there.

Asset Distribution: Your will allows you to:

  • Detail the beneficiaries of various assets or properties.
  • Include provisions for the care of pets.
  • Make charitable bequests.

Avoidance of Intestacy Laws: Without a will, your estate is distributed per state laws, which may not align with your preferences. Drafting a will circumvents these general statutes, granting control over your estate’s future.

Amendments in Response to Life Changes: Wills can be updated to reflect:

  • Marital changes.
  • The birth of children or grandchildren.
  • Acquisition of significant assets or property.
  • Changes in your financial or health situation.

Wealth Planning Law Group streamlines the often daunting process of will creation, ensuring your legacy is not left to statutory laws but is instead in alignment with your personal wishes and values.

Trusts: Various Instruments for Diverse Needs

Estate planning demands more than one-size-fits-all solutions, particularly when it comes to the transfer of wealth and assets. At Wealth Planning Law Group, we specialize in creating and managing a variety of trusts, catering to the diverse needs and wishes of our clients in New Orleans. Trusts serve as invaluable instruments in estate planning, offering nuanced control over asset distribution, potential tax benefits, and often, a smoother, more discreet transition than a traditional will.

  • Revocable Living Trusts: These are ideal for individuals seeking flexibility as they allow you to retain control of the assets during your lifetime. You can alter, update, or even dissolve the trust as your circumstances or wishes change.
  • Irrevocable Trusts: Contrasting the revocable ones, these trusts cannot be easily amended or revoked. They offer significant benefits, like reducing estate taxes and protecting assets from legal judgments.
  • Testamentary Trusts: Initiated upon an individual’s death, these are outlined within a will, providing a delayed distribution of assets, often used to protect the interests of minor children or beneficiaries who may not be financially prudent.
  • Special Needs Trusts: These trusts ensure that loved ones with disabilities receive financial support without jeopardizing their eligibility for government benefits.

Trusts require careful planning and strict management. Our team at Wealth Planning Law Group is dedicated to guiding you through this sophisticated legal landscape, ensuring your estate planning meets your wishes and adequately protects your beneficiaries.

Request A Consultation

Powers of Attorney

Preparing for life's unpredictability is a wise and caring act for your loved ones. Our firm emphasizes the importance of Powers of Attorney (POA) as a central component of comprehensive estate planning.

A Power of Attorney is a legal document granting another person (the agent) the authority to make certain decisions on your behalf in the event of your incapacity. This preparation is invaluable in ensuring that your affairs are managed according to your preferences when you are unable to do so yourself.

  • Financial POA: This empowers your agent to manage your financial affairs, including paying bills, managing investments, or handling property transactions.
  • Healthcare POA: This entrusts your agent with making critical healthcare decisions, ensuring that your medical treatment preferences are respected during incapacitation.

We are here to help you understand the implications and guide you in selecting a trusted individual who will honor your beliefs and interests, providing peace of mind in uncertain times.

Health Care Documents (or Advance Directives)

Life can be unpredictable, but your healthcare choices don't have to be. At Wealth Planning Law Group, we assist clients in preparing Advance Directives, essential documents that safeguard your medical wishes and support your loved ones through challenging times.

Advance Directives are legal documents outlining your healthcare preferences should you become unable to communicate. They serve to:

  • Express Your Healthcare Desires: Detail your wishes regarding life support, resuscitation, pain management, and other critical medical actions.
  • Designate a Healthcare Proxy: Appoint a trusted individual to make medical decisions on your behalf, ensuring decisions are in line with your values and preferences.

These directives alleviate the emotional burden from family members and avoid the stress of making crucial decisions during moments of crisis.

Do Not Wait!

Get Started With Us Now

We are committed to honoring your autonomy by ensuring your voice is heard when you most need it, providing clarity and peace of mind for your future healthcare.

Request A Consultation
Wealth Planning Law Group

101 Allen Toussaint Blvd. Ste 404
New Orleans, LA 70124

Get Directions
IMS - Estate Planning and Elder Law Practice Growth Advisors
Powered by
chevron-down