Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney Serving Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana
Families and business owners across Southwest Louisiana work with Goode Tax and Estate Planning Law Group to build plans that hold — from wills and trusts to Medicaid planning and business succession. Our Baton Rouge-based team serves clients throughout the state, including Lake Charles, with the same direct, plain-language approach we bring to every client relationship.
What Lake Charles Clients Work With Us to Accomplish
Legal planning decisions carry real weight — for your family, your business, and your future. Carl Goode and Kim bring more than two decades of experience to every client matter, along with credentials that reflect consistent, peer-recognized performance: Carl holds a Super Lawyers designation he has maintained for approximately 15 years, placing him in the top 5% of Louisiana attorneys, and the firm carries a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating. Lake Charles clients receive the same two-attorney attention that defines every engagement at our firm — not a hand-off to junior staff.
Legal Services Available to Southwest Louisiana Clients
Estate Planning
A well-built estate plan does more than distribute assets — it removes uncertainty for the people you leave behind. We help Lake Charles families create wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and living wills that reflect their actual wishes and hold up under Louisiana law. If a loved one has already passed, we also guide families through the Louisiana succession and probate process.
- Wills
- Revocable and irrevocable trusts
- Power of attorney
- Living wills and advance directives
- Succession and probate
Elder Law and Medicaid Planning
Long-term care is expensive, and the rules governing Medicaid eligibility in Louisiana are specific and unforgiving. We work with seniors and their families in the Lake Charles area to structure assets, understand care options, and pursue Medicaid eligibility without sacrificing more than the law requires. Planning ahead makes an enormous difference — and so does having an attorney who explains the process in plain terms.
- Medicaid eligibility planning
- Asset protection strategies
- Long-term care planning
Business Law
Southwest Louisiana business owners come to us when they need the legal foundation to operate with confidence. Whether you are forming a new LLC, reviewing contracts, or building a succession plan for your company, we provide practical guidance grounded in Louisiana business law — without unnecessary complexity or delay.
- LLC and business formation
- Contract drafting and review
- Business succession planning
Tax Law
Tax obligations do not resolve themselves, and the longer a problem goes unaddressed, the more it costs. We assist Lake Charles individuals and businesses with proactive tax planning and tax relief matters — helping clients understand their exposure, reduce their liability where possible, and work toward resolution when issues have already surfaced.
- Tax planning for individuals and businesses
- Tax relief and resolution
Blended Families
Complex family dynamics can create uncertainty; thoughtful planning ensures everyone is considered and protected.
Why Southwest Louisiana Clients Choose Goode Law
Clients from Lake Charles to New Orleans choose our firm for reasons that go beyond credentials — though those matter too. Carl Goode's background as a former U.S. Army JAG Corps Captain shaped a communication style built around clarity and directness. We do not use legal jargon to fill space. We explain what your situation requires, what your options are, and what we recommend — so you can make decisions with confidence.
- Super Lawyers designation held for approximately 15 years (top 5% of Louisiana attorneys)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating
- Two-attorney team: Carl Goode and Kim work directly with every client
- Former U.S. Army JAG Corps Captain (Carl Goode)
- Plain-language communication — especially important for elderly clients and first-time legal clients
- Statewide service with a Baton Rouge home base
Frequently Asked Questions from Lake Charles Clients
Does Goode Tax and Estate Planning Law Group serve clients in Lake Charles?
Yes. Our firm is based in Baton Rouge and serves clients throughout Louisiana, including Lake Charles and the broader Southwest Louisiana region. Many client matters can be handled remotely, and we work to make the process as accessible as possible regardless of your location.What is the first step to working with your firm as a Lake Charles client?
We offer a free initial phone consultation. That call gives us a chance to understand your situation, answer your initial questions, and explain how we can help — before you commit to anything.Can you help a Lake Charles family with Louisiana succession after a loved one passes away?
Yes. We guide families through the Louisiana succession and probate process, including situations where a will exists and those where one does not. We handle the legal steps and communicate clearly throughout so families are not left guessing.How does Medicaid planning work for Southwest Louisiana seniors?
Medicaid planning involves reviewing your assets, income, and care needs to determine the best path toward eligibility while preserving as much as the law allows. The rules are complex and vary based on individual circumstances, which is why working with an experienced elder law attorney early in the process matters.What makes Goode Law different from other Louisiana estate planning attorneys?
Carl Goode has held a Super Lawyers designation for approximately 15 years — a peer-reviewed recognition placing him in the top 5% of Louisiana attorneys. The firm also carries a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating. Beyond credentials, clients consistently point to our plain-language communication style and the fact that both attorneys — Carl and Kim — work directly with clients throughout the process.
Start With a Conversation That Brings Clarity
Schedule Your Free Consultation
You don't need to be in Baton Rouge to work with one of Louisiana's most recognized estate planning and tax law firms. New Orleans clients receive the same direct attorney access, the same credentialed representation, and the same plain-language guidance we bring to every client relationship. Reach out today to get started.
