The assets listed in one’s estate plan might not seem like anything more than just things, but each item — whether tangible or not — carries a much deeper meaning. By leaving behind specific assets for their children, parents in Lake Charles are also sending a message even if they don’t realize it. Without careful estate planning, parents could be setting up their children for resentment and animosity in the future. Giving each child an equal inheritance usually seems like the most obvious solution, and in many cases it is. The problem here is that “equal” does not always mean “fair.” Heirs ca ..read more

If you want to make life easier for everyone in your family as well as all of your beneficiaries when you pass away, it is important to set up your estate plan in a way that helps it avoid probate. Probate is costly and time-intensive, which can be upsetting to those who have to handle your estate after you pass away. Avoiding probate is possible and is helpful. Probate court is typically a long process. It can take weeks or months to sort out probate assets, since the court has to look at any debts owed and verify which assets can be passed on. If your assets have to go through probate, your ..read more

Allowing someone to be convicted of a crime on divided votes from a jury may seem unfair, and in a Supreme Court ruling, it was determined that it is. According to the ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, jury verdicts that involve serious crimes do need to have a unanimous decision from the jury. This case reached the Supreme Court after it was found that Oregon and Louisiana were allowing defendants to be convicted even when the jury was divided on the case. The result of this decision includes at least one man’s case being overturned. In that case, the case of Evangelisto Ramos, he had been ..read more

A family member with special needs may always depend on their parents, siblings or other relatives to help them manage the obligations of daily life. Someone who is medically fragile or who has developmental disabilities may not ever be able to work a job and support themselves. Family members may feel the pressure of needing to provide for someone even after they die. If you have someone that you love with a medical condition that makes them dependent on you for the obligations of daily life, then creating a special needs trust could benefit them and also give you peace of mind about what wil ..read more

When Louisiana police officers believe you have been driving while intoxicated (DWI), they will ask you questions during a traffic stop. They may then have you exit your vehicle to perform a field sobriety test, followed by a chemical breath test. Once the officer believes they have sufficient evidence of your impairment, they will arrest you and transport you to state facilities. Later, a judge will arraign you for a DWI charge. Many people accused of drunk driving will plead guilty because they assume there is no way to fight the charge. Especially when someone knows they were not drunk at t ..read more

It is easy for people to justify not creating an estate plan. The whole process of considering your death or medical decline is unpleasant and potentially stressful. People also think that the possibility of future changes to their situation or family might mean that it’s better to wait. However, you never know when tragedy might strike and affect you and the people you love. Estate planning as soon as possible is best for your peace of mind and for the protection of those who depend on you. Creating a last will is a necessity most people recognize. You will also want to consider drafting powe ..read more

Hitting the casino can be an incredible experience. While betting, you experience the excitement of a win and the disappointment of a loss, all while surrounded by other people. People near you might be competing against you in a game like poker or they might benefit from your luck and place bets that you can help them win in games like crap. Regardless of which games you enjoy at the casino, you may find that the cash you brought along isn’t enough. Gamblers will often find that casinos are eager to extend them credit. What they don’t always consider before accepting and using that credi ..read more

If you can, imagine your family having to deal with the loss of someone they love while also having to handle a funeral, sudden expenses and court dates. It is heartbreaking to think about people in mourning having to worry about deadlines and court costs, finding an attorney and working through your estate without knowing what you wanted. This is why it’s so important to set up your will and at least one trust, so that you have a plan in place when you pass away. Doing this can help your family bypass probate, so that they don’t spend their time and money in court. Avoiding probate is better ..read more

Many changes to criminal law are the result of legislation, but sometimes court rulings change how the government or other courts interpret the law. In 2020, the Supreme Court heard a case related to the rulings of juries during a criminal trial, revisiting an issue that the state has also addressed via legislation. In this case, the decision reached by the members of the Court could have lasting consequences for those defending themselves against criminal charges, as well as those previously convicted of criminal charges in Louisiana. A recent Supreme Court ruling could impact criminal cases ..read more

When considering doing your estate planning with trusts, and not just with a will, the biggest advantage is that you have control to craft the plan you want and meet the goals you choose. For instance, an educational trust allocates money specifically for education, and an age-based trust holds the money until a young heir is old enough to use it wisely. But what about a special needs trust? You know that it’s a tool you can use to leave assets to an heir who has special needs, of course, but why use a trust instead of just leaving them the money directly? Maintaining current benefits While th ..read more