Estate planning and trusts are important tools for any person no matter their means. Having an executed will and planning for the future can ensure peace and stability through the most difficult of times. Sternberg, Naccari & White LLC attorney Mervatt Eljaouhari works with individuals and businesses on their estate planning needs. Her foundation for a meaningful and impactful estate plan begins with establishing a last will and testament and ensuring that both medical and financial powers of attorney are in place.

An estate plan is vital to you and your family!

If you do not have a last will and testament, the intestacy laws of Louisiana will dictate who inherits your possessions when you pass on. In almost all cases, our clients want to maintain control of who inherits their estate. Everything from where your assets devolve to who would raise your children or dependents can be dealt with by simply planning ahead.

If you do not have a will or trust, you lose the option to plan appropriately based on your individual circumstances and your inheritance may possibly transfer to your children outright in a lump sum. For most parents, the idea of a teenager or child receiving large sums of money is frightening. This fear is heightened if drug or alcohol abuse is a factor. Any level of uncertainty on who inherits what can bring undue stress and tension to your loved ones during an already difficult time. Preparing your will can solve these problems before they start. 

If you become disabled, who would legally have the right to act on your behalf to pay your bills until you recovered? If you do not have a valid power of attorney in place, court approval appointing a specific person as power of attorney would likely be necessary. As can be imagined, court proceedings are costly and time-consuming. Preparing in advance by having trusts and the appropriate power of attorney documents in place can help to minimize and eliminate these costs.