Everyone Needs Estate Planning, Not Just the Wealthy

Avoid Succession and Probate Issues with Experienced Estate Planning Attorney in Shreveport

Estate planning is for everyone, not just the wealthy, as most people tend to assume. If you own any kind of property, have savings, children or elderly parents, then you need to plan how you will protect them if anything happens to you.

Did you know that almost half of Americans don’t have a will? This can complicate things tremendously for their loved ones. Lack of a will or proper estate planning means your family will end up in probate court. This can be very is time-consuming, expensive and could result in your property, possessions and investments passing into the wrong hands.

It is never too early or too late to start. An experienced Shreveport attorney like David L. White will help you navigate the process easily and protect your family’s future.

10 Estate Planning Tips from an Experienced Shreveport Attorney

  1. Make a will; it’s the only way to ensure your wishes will be carried out.
  2. Cover all your assets.
  3. Include your retirement plans.
  4. Be specific about who gets what; don’t assume that family members will work it out.
  5. You can decide how you want the money to be spent e.g. for education, marriage, charities, etc.
  6. Have a plan to minimize taxes or else, much of what you leave behind will go to the tax authorities
  7. Keep your life insurance and other policies up-to-date, especially when there is a change in beneficiaries after a marriage, birth or death in the family.
  8. Select a qualified executor; for complicated cases, it’s best to have an impartial, professional like an accountant or lawyer.
  9. Ensure your family knows where to find important documents.
  10. Get a good estate planning attorney and discuss your plans early.

Selecting the Right Estate Planning Attorney in Shreveport

A wrong word can change the intent of the will, while a missing signature or failure to properly register it can render it invalid. That’s what makes the choice of your estate planning attorney so critical.

Louisiana has specific laws about what can be in a will, who can obtain a power of attorney or be a personal representative, and what formalities have to be observed, etc. You cannot be expected to know all of this information. Your attorney must protect your interests or your family could lose everything you worked so hard to build.

David White is a respected estate planning attorney with extensive experience in dealing with the most complicated inheritance and succession matters. He has helped many individuals and families overcome estate planning and succession issues. He can help guide you through the process to avoid any legal and financial problems for your loved ones. You can count on him to ensure that your assets are divided as per your wishes.

Consult with our estate planning attorney in Shreveport today to protect your family’s financial future. Give us a call at 318-747-7023.