Estate Planning That Protects Your Family and Follows Louisiana Law
Louisiana's forced heirship rules and community property laws make estate planning more complex here than in most other states. A generic will or trust template won't account for them. At Goode Tax and Estate Planning Law Group, we build plans around how Louisiana law actually works — so your wishes hold, your family is protected, and nothing is left to chance.
Carl Goode has held the Super Lawyers designation for nearly 15 years, placing him in the top 5% of Louisiana attorneys. He and his colleague Kim work directly with every client — no handoffs, no junior associates — and they explain every step in plain language, whether you're planning for the first time or updating a plan that no longer reflects your life.
Estate Planning Services for Individuals and Families in Louisiana
Every estate plan is built from the same core decisions: who inherits your assets, who speaks for you if you can't, and how your wishes are documented so they can be carried out. The right combination depends on your family, your assets, and your goals. Below is an overview of each service we offer — follow any link to learn more.
Wills
A will is the foundation of most estate plans. It names your beneficiaries, designates an executor to carry out your wishes, and — if you have minor children — names a guardian. In Louisiana, dying without a will means the state's intestacy laws decide who inherits, which may not reflect what you would have chosen.
Trusts
A trust can transfer assets to your beneficiaries without going through Louisiana's succession process, give you more control over how and when assets are distributed, and offer privacy that a will does not. Trusts are particularly useful for blended families, beneficiaries with special needs, or estates with significant assets.
Power of Attorney
A durable power of attorney designates someone to manage your financial and legal affairs if you become incapacitated. Without one, your family may need to go to court to obtain that authority — a process that is slow, expensive, and public.
Living Wills
A living will documents your medical wishes in writing so that doctors and family members know what care you want — and what you don't want — if you cannot speak for yourself. It removes an enormous burden from the people you love at an already difficult moment.
Succession and Probate
When someone passes away in Louisiana, their estate goes through a legal process called succession. We handle the administration of estates from start to finish — filing the necessary court documents, identifying and valuing assets, resolving debts, and distributing property to the rightful heirs under Louisiana law.
Why Louisiana Estate Planning Requires a Louisiana Attorney
Louisiana operates under a legal system derived from French and Spanish civil law, not the common law framework used in every other U.S. state. Two rules in particular affect almost every estate plan we prepare.
Forced heirship requires that a portion of your estate pass to certain children — specifically those under 24 or those with a permanent disability — regardless of what your will says. Attempting to disinherit a forced heir without meeting Louisiana's specific legal requirements will not hold up in court.
Community property means that most assets acquired during a marriage are owned equally by both spouses under Louisiana law. Understanding which assets are community property and which are separate property is essential to structuring a plan that works as intended.
These rules don't make estate planning harder — they make working with an attorney who knows them essential.
Estate Planning Doesn't Have to Feel Overwhelming
Most people put off estate planning for the same reason: it feels like a complicated process they'll have to figure out on their own. It isn't. One conversation with our team is usually enough to understand what you need, why it matters, and what the next steps look like.
We hold a free initial phone consultation for every new client. There's no obligation, no pressure, and no legal jargon — just a straightforward conversation about your situation and how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning in Louisiana
What happens if I die without a will in Louisiana?
Louisiana's intestacy laws determine who inherits your estate. Assets pass to your closest legal heirs in a specific order set by the state — which may not match your actual wishes. If you have minor children, a court will decide who serves as their guardian. A valid will puts those decisions back in your hands.
Do I need a will or a trust in Louisiana?
Most people need at least a will. A trust becomes valuable when you want to avoid the succession process, maintain more control over how assets are distributed, or address more complex family or financial situations. Many of our clients end up with both — a trust to handle the bulk of their assets and a will to cover anything not already in the trust. We help you determine which combination makes sense for your specific situation.
Do I really need an estate plan if I don't have a lot of assets?
Yes. An estate plan isn't only about distributing wealth — it's about naming who speaks for you if you're incapacitated, documenting your medical wishes, and making sure your family doesn't face unnecessary legal proceedings. A basic plan with a will, power of attorney, and living will is relevant regardless of the size of your estate.
How does Louisiana's forced heirship rule affect my estate plan?
If you have a child under 24 or a child with a permanent disability, Louisiana law requires that a portion of your estate pass to them — even if your will says otherwise. The exact share depends on how many forced heirs you have. Proper planning works within this rule rather than around it, and our team structures every plan with forced heirship in mind from the start.
How long does it take to put an estate plan in place?
For most clients, a straightforward estate plan — will, power of attorney, and living will — can be completed within a few weeks of the initial consultation. More complex plans involving trusts or business interests take longer. We'll give you a realistic timeline after our first conversation.
Start With a Conversation That Brings Clarity
Ready to Finally Get This Handled?
You don't need to have everything figured out before you call. That's what the consultation is for. Reach out to our Baton Rouge office to schedule your free initial phone consultation with Carl Goode or Kim — and leave with a clear picture of what your estate plan should include.
