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Choosing an executor is one of the most important decisions in the estate planning process. This person (or institution) will be responsible for carrying out your wishes, managing assets, paying debts and taxes, distributing property to beneficiaries and more. Your first instinct may be to name your spouse, adult child or other close family member […]

A qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trust can be a valuable estate planning tool if you have a blended family. In such families — where one or both spouses have children from prior relationships — there’s often a delicate balance between providing for a current spouse and preserving assets for children from a previous marriage.

When a loved one passes away, their estate must go through a legal process to distribute assets and settle debts. A Shreveport probate lawyer helps families manage this transition during an already difficult time. At Theus Law Offices, we work with clients to handle estate administration matters efficiently and compassionately. Estate Administration Estate administration refers

Ever since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed into law in 2017, estate planners have had to take into account a looming date: January 1, 2026. While the TCJA effectively doubled the unified federal gift and estate tax exemption to $10 million (adjusted annually for inflation), it also required the amount to

Make no mistake, serving as an executor (or a “personal representative” in some states) is an honor. But the title also includes significant responsibilities. So if a family member or a close friend asks you to be the executor of his or her estate, think about your answer before agreeing to the request. Let’s take

Including a letter of instruction in your estate plan is a simple yet powerful way to communicate your personal wishes to your family and executor outside of formal legal documents. While not legally binding, the letter can serve as a road map to help those managing your estate carry out your wishes with fewer questions

Members of the sandwich generation — those who find themselves simultaneously caring for aging parents while supporting their own children — face unique financial and emotional pressures. One critical yet often overlooked task amid this juggling act is estate planning. How can you best handle your parents’ financial affairs in the later stages of life?

If you’re considering making asset transfers to your grandchildren or great grandchildren, be sure your estate plan addresses the federal generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax. This tax ensures that large estates can’t bypass a round of taxation that would normally apply if assets were transferred from parent to child, and then from child to grandchild. Because

“Decanting” an irrevocable trust allows a trustee to use his or her distribution powers to transfer assets from one trust into another with different — often more favorable — terms. Much like decanting wine to separate it from sediment, trust decanting “pours” assets into a new vessel, potentially improving clarity and control. While the original