Estate Planning Attorney in East Baton Rouge Parish

Protect Your Family With A Clear Louisiana Estate Plan

If you are starting to think seriously about what will happen to your home, savings, and family when you are gone, you are in the right place. As an estate planning attorney in East Baton Rouge Parish, I help individuals and families create practical, understandable plans that work with Louisiana law.

At the Law Office of Wendra J. Moran, my practice focuses on estate planning and probate for Louisiana residents, including those in Baton Rouge. I take time to explain concepts like forced heirship and usufruct in plain language so you can make informed decisions. My services are offered on a flat-fee basis, so you know the cost of your plan before we begin.

Make confident decisions about your future with guidance from an experienced estate planning lawyer in East Baton Rouge Parish. Call (225) 228-4445 or contact Law Office of Wendra J. Moran today.

Why Thoughtful Estate Planning Matters in East Baton Rouge Parish

Louisiana has its own civil law system, and that affects what happens to your property if you pass away without a solid plan. Forced heirship may require that a portion of your estate go to certain children, and usufruct can give a surviving spouse the right to use property for life while someone else owns it. These rules can surprise families who assumed everything would automatically go to a spouse or to children in equal shares.

If you die without a will or with documents that do not work well under Louisiana law, your estate will typically be handled through a succession in the parish where you lived, such as East Baton Rouge Parish. The court will apply default rules that may not match what you would have chosen. This can create confusion, delays, and tension among family members at an already difficult time.

Thoughtful planning allows you to direct how your assets will pass, within the framework of Louisiana law. With a carefully drafted will, powers of attorney, and possibly other documents, you can choose trusted people to handle your affairs, provide guidance for caring for minor children, and work to reduce the need for an extended court process. My role is to help you understand your options, then put them into writing in a way that is clear and legally sound.

My Approach To Your Estate Plan

Every family I work with has its own story, and I treat estate planning as a conversation rather than a form to be filled in. When you contact my office, I start by learning about your family, your assets, and your priorities. I ask about your home, retirement accounts, life insurance, and any businesses or rental properties, then we talk about the people you want to protect.

From there, I design a plan that reflects those goals. I do not rely on one will that looks the same for everyone. Instead, I draft documents that account for your particular mix of community and separate property and for the Louisiana concepts that apply to you. As an estate planning lawyer East Baton Rouge Parish residents turn to for guidance, I focus on making sure you understand why each document is included and how it will operate when it is needed.

All of this work is handled on a flat-fee basis. That means we agree on the fee for your estate plan before I begin drafting, and you are not watching the clock every time you have a question. You know the scope of what we will accomplish together, and you know the cost up front.

I also view your estate plan as a living framework. Life changes with marriages, divorces, births, deaths, new properties, and career shifts. My clients know they can come back to me to review and update their plans when circumstances or the law change. I strive to build ongoing relationships so your documents stay aligned with the life you are actually living.

What To Expect In The Estate Planning Process

Many people delay estate planning because they are not sure where to start. I work to make the process clear and structured, so you know what comes next. Our work together generally follows several stages, tailored to your schedule and needs.

We begin with an initial conversation, either in person or by phone, where you share your goals and ask questions. I explain the basic tools we are likely to use, such as wills, financial and medical powers of attorney, and advance directives. After that meeting, you gather information about your assets and family, using a simple list I provide so you do not have to guess what matters.

Once I have your information, we schedule a design meeting. During that meeting, we decide who would serve in key roles, such as executor, guardian for minor children, and agents under powers of attorney.

Here are some of the key decisions we will walk through together:

• Who should receive your property, and on what terms
• Who should handle your estate and financial matters if you are unable to do so
• Who should make medical decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself
• Who should care for your minor children if both parents are unavailable
• How to coordinate beneficiary designations with your overall plan

After the design meeting, I draft your documents and send them to you for review with clear explanations. We then meet for a signing appointment, where we go through each document, and you sign in the presence of appropriate witnesses and a notary. My goal is that when you leave the signing, you feel confident that you understand what your plan does and how it will help your loved ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will my estate plan cost?

I offer estate planning on a flat-fee basis, so you know the cost before we begin. The fee depends on the complexity of your situation and the documents you need. During our initial conversation, I outline the scope of work and quote the fee so you can decide comfortably.

Do I really need a will in Louisiana?

Most people benefit from having a will that works with Louisiana law. Without one, state intestacy and forced heirship rules control who receives your property. A will lets you choose key decision makers and provide guidance that the default rules do not reflect.

How long does the estate planning process take?

For many clients, we complete the planning process in a few weeks, depending on your schedule and how quickly you provide information. The timeline includes our meetings, my drafting time, your review, and the final signing. I work to keep the process moving without rushing your decisions.

Can you help with blended family issues?

Yes. I regularly work with clients who have children from prior relationships and want to protect both a current spouse and all children. We discuss your priorities, then design a plan that fits within Louisiana rules while aiming to reduce potential conflict between family members.

Contact an Estate Planning Attorney in East Baton Rouge Parish

Taking care of your estate plan is a gift to the people you love. With a clear set of documents that reflect Louisiana law and your own wishes, you give your family guidance, reduce confusion, and create a smoother path when they will need it most.

As an estate lawyer in East Baton Rouge Parish, I focus on listening, explaining, and creating a plan that fits your life. You will know your fee in advance, you will understand your options, and you will have support as life changes. If you have been putting this off because it feels overwhelming, I invite you to take a simple first step and have a conversation.

Work with a knowledgeable estate planning attorney in East Baton Rouge Parish at Law Office of Wendra J. Moran. Call (225) 228-4445 to request your consultation.