Can Remarriage Affect Louisiana Estate Planning?
Jun 23, 2022 by Ciolino & Onstott
Many people experience confusion when they hear or read about estates, last will and testaments, living wills, powers of attorney, and Louisiana estate planning laws. For others, thinking of what happens to all their possessions after death or divorce puts them under immense stress. When it comes to Louisiana estate planning, both marriage and divorce are major life events that signal when you should revisit your essential life documents and poss...
Estate Planning for Singles: 4 Key Considerations
May 9, 2022 by Ciolino & Onstott
Estate planning is crucial for everyone, even when you are single! In fact, it may be more important for those of us who are single, because it is more likely that the law will pass your assets, money, business interests, and other belongings to relatives you may not expect.
If you are a single person in Louisiana without children, and you pass without a will, your assets are most likely going to be distributed to your surviving parents,...
Estate Planning Questions: How to Talk to Your Attorney
Apr 8, 2022 by Ciolino & Onstott
For many people the thought of meeting with a Louisiana estate planning attorney causes fear. It's often uncomfortable to think about the possibility that you may no longer be able to manage your own affairs, let alone that you're mortal and your property and accounts will pass on to someone else. So many people ignore both of these thoughts and put off the crucial task of estate planning. As a result, they are unprepared when something u...
3 Things People Get Wrong about Louisiana Estate Planning
Feb 23, 2022 by Ciolino & Onstott
Louisiana estate planning isn't an easy process. While it isn't brain surgery or rocket science, making the decision to create a Louisiana estate plan requires us to come face to face with the realization that we're mortal beings. It's clear why this single thought stops many people from starting the process.
Many talk themselves out of scheduling a consultation with a Louisiana estate planning attorney because there are ...
Max Ciolino Named Super Lawyer Rising Star for Second Year
Feb 1, 2022 by Ciolino & Onstott
Ciolino & Onstott is proud to announce that Max Ciolino was selected as a Super Lawyer Rising Star for the second year in a row. Max is honored to be named as a Rising Star. Rising Stars are lawyers who are 40 years or younger or lawyers who have practiced law for ten years or less.
Max is dedicated to the practice of law and to providing only the highest level of service and care to his clients.
What Is a Super Lawyer?
A Sup...
Life Insurance for Estate Planning: What You Should Know
Dec 3, 2021 by Ciolino & Onstott
Part of protecting your loved ones when you pass away is making sure that you have a proper estate plan in place. Another aspect is making sure that the right amount of money is available to carry out your goals for their future. Life insurance for estate planning has helped many people provide for their loved ones in the way they envisioned.
This blog is written for educational and informational purposes only. It is not meant as a subst...
Louisiana Estate Planning Forms for Mental Health Solutions
Nov 17, 2021 by Ciolino & Onstott
It is okay to not be okay. Removing the stigma of mental health starts with realizing that many people—about one inf five of all US adults— are affected by mental illness and will require ongoing mental health support. Understanding this fact can lead to more people getting the help they require, not only by seeking guidance from a mental health expert, but also by planning for the future with mental health considerations in mind...
No Joint Tenancy With Rights of Survivorship in Louisiana
Oct 27, 2021 by Ciolino & Onstott
As probate attorneys in New Orleans, our objective is to help educate our clients on all aspects of estate planning, succession, and probate. We are frequently asked about co-ownership of property, especially when one of the owners has passed away.
Many states use a concept called "Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship," which causes a co-owner to inherit from another co-owner upon the first co-owner's passing. However,...
Louisiana Forced Heirship Law: Things to Know
Oct 4, 2021 by Ciolino & Onstott
Louisiana is the only state in the US with forced heirship. The Louisiana forced heirship law takes many families by surprise, even if they have a Last Will and Testament. To help our readers learn more about the forced heirship doctrine, this blog post discusses a few things you need to know:
Who is a forced heir in Louisiana?
What are the forced heirship rules in Louisiana?
Can you disinherit a child in Louisiana by leaving them one dol...
Louisiana Wills: What Happens When the Will Is Silent?
Jul 7, 2021 by Ciolino & Onstott
Louisiana wills, formally known as Louisiana Last Will and Testaments, are part of an estate plan that transfers ownership of the property upon the testator's death. In this blog post, you will learn about what a Louisiana will does and what happens to the deceased's belongings if those belongings are not mentioned in the will.
If you have questions about Louisiana wills, what happens to assets within an estate left out of a will...
Louisiana Probate Law: What Happens If There’s a Will?
Jun 16, 2021 by Ciolino & Onstott
Louisiana probate law governs the process of probate in Louisiana. Specifically, probate is the process by which the courts recognize the validity of a Last Will and Testament, enforce its terms, and transferring ownership of a person's belongings after they die. When the deceased person has a will, Louisiana probate law refers to this as a testate succession.
When someone dies with a Louisiana will in place and that will is valid, t...
Louisiana Intestate Succession: Who Inherits, and What Do They Inherit?
Jun 2, 2021 by Ciolino & Onstott
Louisiana intestate succession is the process of transferring property when a person dies without a will. In our last blog post, we discussed the process of opening an intestate succession procedurally. In this post, we are addressing who inherits property when the decedent does not make a specific directive.
Please remember that the information contained in this post is for information purposes only. It is not an adequate substitute for...
Louisiana Intestate Succession: How Does the Process Work?
May 20, 2021 by Ciolino & Onstott
Louisiana intestate succession occurs when a person dies without a will. Intestate succession is explained in the state's intestate succession law. In this blog post, you will learn some basic information about how the intestate succession process operates in Louisiana. After reading this post, schedule your free consultation with Ciolino & Onstott.
What Is the Intestate Succession Process?
The intestate succession process i...
What is an Estate?
May 7, 2021 by Ciolino & Onstott
The objective of Louisiana succession is settling the estate of the deceased. Doing so involves multiple steps that all hinge on several important questions:
What is an estate?
What is an estate during a person's life?
What is an estate after death?
In this blog, we will discuss the basic answer to each question.
The information in this blog post is educational in nature and is not a substitute for legal advice. For legal ...
What is a Succession?
Apr 15, 2021 by Ciolino & Onstott
Simply put, “Louisiana succession" is the process of transferring a deceased person’s debts and assets to that person’s heirs, after they die. Other states call this the “probate” process. Of course, if it were that simple, this would be an extremely short blog post. The reality is that Louisiana’s succession laws are complex, unique, and fraught with risks that are difficult to navigate, especially if you...