Lafayette Wills Attorney
If you haven’t done so, it is important to start thinking about your estate plan to protect your family and your legacy. You may want your family to be taken care of with assets from your estate, and it’s understandable to feel very protective of what you have built throughout your life. Having a plan in place to ensure your loved ones are able to benefit from your estate is vital. Drafting a will may not be easy, so you should consider reaching out to a Lafayette wills lawyer for help.
The legal team at The Thompson Law Office, LLC understands how important drafting a will can be for you. It is advised to have a Lafayette wills attorney to guide you as you consider your next steps and decide on which kind of will to draft. To make sure everything is handled correctly and is enforceable, you need a legal professional with extensive knowledge of Louisiana’s will laws. You can have peace of mind that your estate planning documents are being handled properly.
The Will Process in Louisiana
Creating a will in Louisiana involves a number of vital steps that cannot be missed. If you should miss any of the legal requirements of a will, the consequences could be disastrous when the time comes for your will to be legally enforced. It’s important to understand each step in the process and move through each of them with a lawyer’s help. The most important steps in the will process in Louisiana include:
- Preparation: Every will begins with preparing the proper documents. Be sure to write out a comprehensive list of every asset you own and every debt that you owe. Include every bit of property and every bank account that is in your name. Choose the key people who are going to be included in the will, including the executor who will manage your estate and every beneficiary.
- Type: In Louisiana, there are two types of valid wills. You can choose a notarial will or an olographic will. A notarial will is typed or printed, signed by you and two witnesses who are not beneficiaries, and is properly notarized. An olographic will is entirely in your own handwriting, dated, and signed only by you. You do not need witnesses.
- Drafting: After choosing the type of will you want, have your lawyer help you draft it. Your attorney can ensure it is enforceable and includes all the vital information you need.
- Storage: Keep your will in a safe place. You may want your lawyer to hold it for you. Register the will with the Louisiana Secretary of State if you made a living will. Update your will periodically when you want it to reflect major life events such as a marriage, birth, divorce, or death.
Hire a Wills Lawyer
If you want to draft a will in Lafayette, the most important decision you can make is to hire a wills lawyer to oversee the process and prevent you from making any costly mistakes. A will in Louisiana has to meet certain requirements to be considered legally enforceable. Missing any of these requirements can result in your will being rendered null and void. At The Thompson Law Office, LLC, our team has decades of experience helping clients with their family law needs.
It can be helpful to understand certain income statistics in Louisiana. According to recent statistical data from the Department of Justice, the average household income for a family of four in Louisiana was $98,041 as of 2025. Additional data shows the average property value in the state was $208,700 as of 2023. Nationwide, as few as 24% of Americans have a last will and testament already drafted. You don’t want to pass away without a valid plan in place.
Our seasoned law firm has earned many accolades, such as Avvo Client’s Choice awards and Top 10 Best Family Law Attorneys for client satisfaction. It doesn’t matter how big your estate is or whether you reside in Bendel Gardens, South Lafayette, the Saint Streets area, or elsewhere in Lafayette. It’s important to plan for the future of your family and your assets, and our knowledgeable attorneys can confidently help you.
FAQs
How Much Will an Attorney Charge for a Will?
There is no set amount that attorneys charge for help with drafting your will. Every will is different, and some cases are far more complicated than others. The more complex your estate is, the more time it may take to draft the will. The complexity of your case will influence the cost, as will your lawyer’s experience and any added documents you need, such as a power of attorney or a trust.
What Type of Lawyer Is Ideal for Wills?
If you need to have a will drafted, you should hire an estate planning lawyer to help oversee the process. Estate planning lawyers tend to focus largely on wills, trusts, and estates. They help clients assemble the necessary documents for asset distribution, tax implications, and inheritance. They make sure your final wishes are legally sound and binding through documentation.
What’s a Big Mistake You Could Make for Your Will?
There are many possible mistakes you could make for your will, which is why it is so important to hire a lawyer to help you. One of the biggest and most obvious mistakes you can make with your will is not having one to begin with. Your assets may not be distributed the way you want without a will in place.
Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Will?
Yes, you should hire a lawyer for your will. If you have never been through this process before and do not know the steps involved and applicable laws, you should contact an estate planning lawyer to assist you in developing your will. Otherwise, you could make a serious mistake that could impact your estate in the future, or make your will unenforceable.
Contact a Lawyer You Can Trust Today
At The Thompson Law Office, LLC, we can help you draft a will and avoid mistakes. Contact us to speak to someone on our team about how we can assist you.
