Baton Rouge Trusts Lawyer

Baton Rouge Trusts Attorney

Planning ahead for your family’s future is always recommended, especially if you have a considerable estate. It can be difficult to divide large estates without a plan in place. You should consult an attorney to see what your options are when it comes to estate planning. One feasible avenue for you may be to establish a trust, which can allow you to bypass probate entirely. For more information, you should consult with a Baton Rouge trusts lawyer.

The legal team at Goode Tax and Estate Planning Law Group, LLC, knows the inherent complications of establishing a trust. An experienced Baton Rouge trusts attorney can walk you through every step in your trust case.

This can assure you that your case is being handled with professionalism. It’s vital to have someone involved who understands the ins and outs of Louisiana trust laws and how those laws apply to your situation.

Establishing a Trust in Baton Rouge

If you are considering establishing a trust in Baton Rouge, you may want to consider reaching out to local financial planning or accounting services to help you get a rough estimate of the size and value of your total estate.

Assets like property can significantly impact the overall value of your estate. A home in the Garden District or Mid-City might be worth a significant amount. This means you should have your property appraised by professionals to determine its value.

Putting together a trust can be complicated if you have never done it before. The last thing you want is for your trust to be declared invalid because you didn’t set it up properly. That’s one of the primary reasons an estate planning lawyer’s help is so important in estate planning.

Here are some of the most important steps in putting a trust together in Louisiana:

• First, you have to determine which type of trust you want. In Louisiana, there are generally two kinds to choose from. Revocable trusts can be changed and are much more flexible. An irrevocable trust cannot be changed and is largely used for tax protection. The median household income for a family of four in Louisiana was roughly $98,000 a year in 2025. This may be more than enough for you to pursue a trust.
• Next, establish the trust in writing. It needs to outline the exact terms, the trustees who will administer it, and the beneficiaries who will one day inherit it. The median property value in Louisiana was a little over $208,000 in 2023. Property is often something that is included in one’s estate plan.
• Once you have established the terms of the trust and the beneficiaries, you need to execute the trust document. In Louisiana, you are required to have two witnesses and a notary sign the document. To make the trust effective, you will then need to transfer assets into the trust, such as bank accounts or real estate.
• Finally, you also want to have a will. This ensures that any assets not currently in the trust are placed in the trust upon your death. This is known as a pour-over will.

According to Gallup, around 46% of Americans have a will, and even fewer say they don’t have a trust. The main response from individuals polled is that they simply haven’t gotten around to it.

While it can sound dark to think about death, planning for it early can help your loved ones when you’re gone. They will appreciate your prior planning and explicit instructions to guide them in following your wishes.

FAQs

How Much Will a Trust Lawyer Cost?

How much a trust lawyer will cost for their services varies based on the size of your estate. Everybody’s estate planning needs are different. To establish a trust, it’s recommended that you hire an experienced lawyer who knows how to handle your case. Your lawyer’s fee will change depending on your case’s complexity, additional add-ons you may require, and your lawyer’s experience handling cases like yours.

How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Trust in Louisiana?

The amount it will cost you to set up a trust in Louisiana depends entirely on the specific details of your case and your overall estate planning needs. Creating a trust generally costs anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 or higher. More complex trusts, such as special needs trusts or irrevocable trusts, may cost you even more. Your lawyer can walk you through how much your specific needs will cost you.

What Is the Downside of a Trust?

There are some downsides to trusts. While establishing a trust can be a cost-effective way to avoid probate and make sure your loved ones are taken care of, it is not without its potential downsides. One such issue with a trust is its complex administration. Trusts do not always avoid forced heirship, and revocable trusts can have limited asset protection. They require ongoing management, which can easily lead to mistakes if managed incorrectly.

Should I Hire a Trust Lawyer?

Yes, you should hire a trust lawyer. Putting a trust together is not easy, especially if you have no prior experience doing so. You should put your faith in an experienced trust lawyer who has handled estate plans similar to yours. They can focus on putting the paperwork together while you decide who will benefit from your generosity. Without a lawyer’s help, you may make crucial mistakes that could hurt you in the long run.

Hire a Trusts Lawyer

When you are deciding who to leave your assets to and how to distribute them, it’s important to hire a trusts lawyer. They can walk you through your options and make sure you don’t get taken advantage of.

Carl S. Goode has spent his extensive career helping individuals with their estate planning needs, including trusts. He understands his clients’ needs and can steer them in the right direction.

At Goode Tax and Estate Planning Law Group, LLC, we can provide you with the right information to establish a trust. We can also help you with other elements of your estate plan, such as a will or power of attorney. Contact us to speak to someone who can assist you.