Gonzales Wills Lawyer

Gonzales Wills Attorney

Creating a will is a fundamental part of planning for your estate and taking care of your loved ones after your death. Many people believe that they don’t need a will because they don’t have many assets or are very young. However, making a will is beneficial at any time in your life, as it gives you control over the assets you do have, and you can make things easier on your loved ones. A Gonzales wills lawyer can help you create a valid will that addresses your needs. For more comprehensive estate planning, a local estate planning attorney in Gonzales can guide you through other important documents like trusts and powers of attorney.

Protecting Your Interests and Estate With Rowe & Manning Law Firm LLC

An estate plan can give you peace of mind and a feeling of stability, whether your estate plan is simply a last will and testament or more complex. At Rowe & Manning Law Firm LLC, we have more than 15 years of legal experience navigating Louisiana laws and helping families plan for their futures. Our firm understands the requirements of a will in Louisiana and helps you create a will that meets these guidelines while also fulfilling your goals.

Not having a will can make the succession process much harder for families. Having a will that is unclear or not enforceable can make the process even more difficult, leading to more conflict. By working with our firm, you can uphold your interests after death and determine what other estate planning documents help you protect your loved ones, your estate, and your own well-being.

What Does a Will Do?

A last will and testament has numerous purposes. When it is fully enforceable, a will lets you designate beneficiaries to the assets in your estate, including real and personal property; identify and list all the assets in your estate; state how you want debts paid; and choose an executor to administer the estate, pay your debts, and distribute your assets. You can also select a guardian for any minor children.

A will is filed with the succession court after your death. If you live in Gonzales, then your will is likely to be filed with the 23rd Judicial District Court, which serves all of Ascension Parish, as well as Assumption and St. James Parishes. It is important that when you create a will, other people know where it is, such as your attorney, executor, or loved ones. That way, your will can be submitted to the succession court for validation, and its terms can be followed.

If you have additional estate planning documents, including a trust, a will can also work in connection with these documents. A will can state that certain assets are to be placed in an existing trust after your death, providing additional protections for your loved ones and saving them significant time.

What Happens if I Don’t Have a Will?

If you don’t have a will, it can make the process of succession much more complicated for your loved ones. Only 24% of Americans state that they have a will, while approximately 13% say they have a living trust, and 4% say they have another type of estate planning document. In contrast, about 55% of Americans say they have no estate planning documents.

If you die without a will, your estate will follow state laws for distribution. The court will appoint someone to administer your estate, and it may not be someone you want to do it for many reasons. The court may choose a family member, giving them significant responsibility during an impossibly difficult time in their life.

Your estate will be distributed according to the state’s intestate inheritance laws. This may mean that individuals you do not want to inherit from you have control over your estate or that people you want to financially support get nothing from your estate. When your intent for your estate is not known, it can also increase the conflict between family members and loved ones. This can make the process take longer and be more expensive.

FAQs About Gonzales,LA Wills Law

How Much Does It Cost to Make a Will in Louisiana?

The cost to make a will in Louisiana varies significantly depending on the method you use, whether you work with an attorney, and the size of your estate. A more complex estate may require additional professionals, such as an asset appraiser. An attorney’s fees may be charged at an hourly rate or a flat fee. Having an attorney review a will may be charged differently than working with an attorney to draft a will that meets your specific needs.

What Type of Lawyer Is Ideal for Wills?

The type of lawyer that is ideal for wills is an estate planning attorney if you are creating your own will. An estate planning attorney can help you draft an enforceable last will and testament, addressing your assets and your intentions for your estate. An estate planning attorney can also review other estate planning documents to determine if they can be used to uphold your goals. If you are filing a will, a successions attorney is ideal for wills.

Do You Need a Lawyer to Make a Will in Louisiana?

While you are not required to work with a lawyer to make a will in Louisiana, it is strongly recommended that you do. Estate planning law can be very complex, and if your will is unclear or not legally valid, the court may not enforce it. Your will could be invalidated, and none of your intentions for your estate will be followed, having no will creates far greater risks for your family. An invalid will can also lead to more confusion, time, and conflict in the succession process.

What Are the Two Types of Wills in Louisiana?

The two types of wills in Louisiana that are legally enforceable are:

1. Notarial will. This is a traditional will that is written, dated, and signed according to the law, including having witnesses sign it and a notary present. The creator of the will must also state in front of these witnesses and a notary that it is their will.
2. Holographic will. These are entirely handwritten wills, signed and dated by the creator of the will.

Protecting Your Family’s Future in Gonzales

Rowe & Manning Law Firm LLC can help you create a last will and testament according to state law, helping you plan for your family’s needs. We can review the benefits of other estate planning documents and determine if they can help you and your loved ones. Contact our firm today to learn how we can help.