Estate planning attorneys are not just limited to preparing a Last Will and Testament or trust. In most cases, they can assist with a full range of end-of-life arrangements. If you are considering hiring a Louisiana estate planning attorney but want to learn more about their services, this blog post will explain what these legal professionals do and how they can help you.
What Is an Estate Planning Attorney?
An estate planning attorney is a legal professional who deals with federal and state laws related to estates, trusts, and probate. These attorneys are often responsible for reviewing a person’s situation and helping them create or update their estate plan to ensure it aligns with their wishes.
Some of the documents that an estate planning attorney can help with include the following:
- A Last Will and Testament: A Will is created by a person to express what they want to happen to their affairs and assets after they pass away. These documents can name individuals or organizations as beneficiaries and designate guardians for minor children.
- Trust: A trust is a fiduciary arrangement that allows another party to hold assets on behalf of a beneficiary. These trusts can be arranged in several ways and specify exactly how and when the assets will pass to the beneficiaries.
- A Living Will: This document, also known as a health care directive, is a legal document that allows an individual to specify their medical treatment preferences in certain circumstances, such as life-sustaining measures. Individuals may also use this document to name an agent they want to make decisions on their behalf if they cannot do so on their own.
- A Power of Attorney: This legal document provides broad authority to a person to act on behalf of another individual.
Working with an estate planning lawyer can provide you with further insight into these documents and advise on other options for caring for your loved ones and minimizing estate and inheritance taxes.
When May You Want To Consider Hiring an Estate Planning Lawyer?
There are various reasons why an individual may want to hire an estate planning attorney. These legal professionals can create and review estate plans, help you determine what other legal options you may have when it comes to planning for your future, and be a reliable source to go to when you need help. Additionally, individuals often retain the assistance of an estate planning attorney when:
- They have a blended or large family
- They have children who are minors
- They have loved ones with special needs
- They believe a family member may contest their Will
- They own a company or an investment property
- They want to create a trust
- They are worried about inheritance taxes or estate taxes
- They have assets in other countries or states
- They want to protect their legacy
No matter why you want to hire an estate planning attorney, getting in touch with these legal professionals can give you more information about your legal options for planning for the future. They can also offer different legal pathways to ensure your future wishes are fulfilled.
Learn More About Estate Planning, Contact Losavio & DeJean Today
At Losavio & DeJean, we are equipped to assist you in utilizing estate planning tools such as Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney to protect your future and preserve your legacy. Our experienced Louisiana estate planning attorneys can also aid you in safeguarding the assets and property you have diligently acquired and provide services in business and tax planning, entity formation, wealth preservation, and more.
For further information about our estate planning services, contact Losavio & DeJean, LLC, today and speak with our legal team.