Many & LoCoco, New Orleans Estate Planning and Probate Attorneys

09/18/2025

Read our latest blog explaining the law of Forced Heirship in Louisiana.

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedInThe Unique Law of Louisiana Louisiana’s inheritance laws are unlike any other state in the country. Because our legal system is based on civil law traditions from France and Spain, we have rules about inheritance that don’t exist elsewhere. One...

05/24/2025

See post about ElderChoice

As one of New Orleans premier Placement referral Specialist, ElderChoice is here to assist you or your family with long term care needs. This is a free to you service to help you navigate the many different choices there are for quality senior care in the metro area.

Here are some reviews left by a few of our clients:

"Wendy is a compassionate, knowledgeable and an incredible resource for elder care. She was truly dedicated to helping our family find the right place for our dad and carefully considered his needs, and our circumstances, of not living in the NOLA area.
The value in Wendy's service and help with understanding the process of looking for and at care facilities is an absolute must for anyone facing this situation." - D.

"I recently had the pleasure of working with Wendy LoCoco to assist me in finding the right assisted living/memory care home care for my elderly parent, and I can confidently say that her services exceeded all expectations. From my very first interaction with her, it was clear that she is not only experienced in elder care but truly compassionate about what she does. I highly recommend Wendy for anyone looking for assistance with elder care placement services." - B.

Call Wendy at ElderChoice today.

(504) 220-0655

A senior referral placement service that will guide and assist those interested in relocating to a local assisted living retirement community.

05/08/2025

A recent segment on a local News Station discussed living trusts as a key part of estate planning. While that may be true in some states, Louisiana law offers unique alternatives that can make a living trust unnecessary for many families. In our latest post, we share important points to consider before including a living trust in your plan.

An article discussing why Living Trusts may not be needed as part of your Louisiana Estate Plan.

01/17/2025

https://neworleansestatelaw.com/the-importance-of-properly-drafted-wills-under-louisiana-law/

See our latest blog on the importance of properly drafted Wills.

A blog post on the importance of making sure your Will is properly drafted.

01/08/2025

Here are the Estate Tax Exclusion Amounts for 2025.

LOUISIANA STATE INHERITANCE TAX

Years ago, the State of Louisiana repealed all state inheritance taxes. That remains the case. Thus, there is no requirement to file a return with the State and no state inheritance taxes are owed.

FEDERAL ESTATE TAX

The Federal Estate Tax exemption amount for 2025 is $13,990,000 per person. For a husband and wife, who are living under a community property’s regime (which means they have not entered into a Prenup either before or during the marriage) their joint estate would have to be in excess of $27 million dollars for there to be an estate tax imposed. Assets that are subject to the estate tax are taxed at 40 percent.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The current estate tax law is set to sunset on December 31, 2025, unless Congress acts to change the law. If they do not act, then in 2026, the projected exemption amount will be set at $7,000,000.00 per person.

The fact that your estate may not be subject to a tax does not lessen the importance of having a properly drafted will to ensure that your property is left to your heirs according to your wishes and that your heirs will be able to easily access the property in your estate.

FEDERAL GIFT TAX

The Federal Gift Tax limits the amount that can be transferred to persons other than a spouse without incurring a tax.

For 2025, annual gifts of up to $19,000 can be made to an individual without incurring a gift tax. If the gift is made by a married couple from their jointly owned assets, it can be as much as $38,000 per year without being taxed.

This is just a quick overview of estate tax laws. Please contact Many & LoCoco today to meet with one of our attorneys to fully understand these laws and how they may affect you.

09/22/2024

See our latest article on the importance of appointing a tutor in your will for minor children.

The importance of naming tutors in your overall estate plan in Louisiana. Tutorship for parents with minor children.

09/01/2024

BOOK LAUNCH DAY: Excited to announce that my latest novel, The Devil's Jazz is released today. You can purchase on Amazon at https://a.co/d/0gbTr1V or direct from my website to get a signed/endorsed copy - https://vincentlococo.com/store or on the Barnes and Noble website. Locally, you can find the book at Dane Books and Gifts, The Garden District Bookshop, Blue Cypress Books, and Brocato's.

This is my first novel that takes place entirely in New Orleans, and concerns one of America's earliest known serial killers who was terrorizing the large Sicilian population of New Orleans.

The following is a quote from a letter the Axman wrote to the Times-Picayune.

“They have never caught me and they never will . . . I have been, am, and will be the worst spirit that ever existed either in fact or the realm of fancy.” – The Axman

Here is a description of the book.

In the sultry heart of New Orleans, a city haunted by the legacy of Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror in London, a new menace emerges. The year is 1918, and the Axman of New Orleans prowls the cobblestone streets, targeting the city’s large population of Sicilian immigrants.

Vincent LoCoco’s “The Devil's Jazz” weaves a tale of suspense and terror, embedded in the rhythmic pulse of a city held captive by fear.

Retired detective Giancarlo Rabito is reluctantly drawn into the shadows, entangled in the relentless pursuit of the Axman, challenging the wide-spread belief that the Mafia is responsible. Panic and hysteria grip New Orleans with each gruesome crime.

Follow the tenacious young reporter Michael Devlin in his quest to unveil the Axman's identity. The killer mocks the city through a chilling letter to the newspaper, claiming to be a demon from hell. His ominous ultimatum: spare those who revel in the devil’s music, jazz, during his designated night of killing.

Venture deep into the soul of New Orleans, where jazz and fear intertwine, and secrets thicken the humid air. A surprising twist awaits, unravelling the Axman's ultimate fate, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final, heart-pounding pages.

Vincent “Chip” LoCoco, a New Orleans writer with a penchant for Italian historical fiction, invites you to join this suspenseful journey through the alleys of the French Quarter. Will you heed the call of the devil’s jazz and confront the terror lurking within the shadows?

08/23/2024

One legal concept unique to Louisiana is Forced Heirship. Here is a brief explanation to consider when thinking about your own estate plan and situation.

Discover the unique law of Forced Heirship in Louisiana. See why it is so important to have a Last Will and Testament

07/30/2024

WHY YOUR 18 YEAR OLD COLLEGE BOUND CHILD NEEDS A POWER OF ATTORNEY

When we think of a Power of Attorney, we often think that it only applies to our elderly parents and their appointing someone (an Agent) to be able to act on their behalf, both financially, as well as medically.

However, we often overlook the importance of this document for our children who have attained the age of majority. (In Louisiana, that age is 18.) Let's take as an example your daughter, who just turned 18 the day before she leaves for college, and is now miles and miles away. Suddenly, just two nights later, you receive a frantic phone call from her roommate that your child just collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.

You call the ER at the hospital desperate to find out what your daughter’s condition is, but because of HIPPA regulations, you are not entitled to that information and are rebuffed. You demand to speak to the doctor, but again your requests are denied.

Is that a surprise? No, not really. After all, your 18-year-old daughter is now considered an adult by law, and thus, you have no right to any of her protected health information, nor can you make medical decisions for her. Just a few days before she turned 18, you were in charge. You were the person who doctors would speak to. But that 18th birthday was the turning point. Legally, you are now a stranger under the law relative to medical information.

This is where a properly drafted Power of Attorney with HIPPA waiver language executed by your child appointing you as her agent is very, very important. With that simple appointment, you would be able to get the information and make all medical decisions for her.

That would give you a little piece of mind as your beloved child is off to college far away.

So before your child leaves for college, sit down with them and discuss with them the importance of executing a Power of Attorney to cover these situations. One additional item to consider is not limiting that appointment to just medical issues, but to cover financial as well. That way, you would be able to deal with the college and banks relative to tuition, loans, expenses, etc.

This document should be a Durable Power of Attorney which means it survives the incapacity of the principal allowing the person appointed as agent to continue to act on their behalf even during the incapacity.

If you or your child have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our office. Also, you can check out our frequently asked questions page.

/https://neworleansestatelaw.com/frequently-asked-questions/estate-planning-faqs/

Chip LoCoco, Attorney at Law

(504) 483-2332

04/15/2024

See our latest post on the considerations you should take into account when choosing an executor in your will.

What considerations should you take into account when choosing an executor when drafting your will.

09/09/2023

See our latest blog on the role of Minors' Trust in a Will when you have children.

Learn the importance of Minors' Trust when drafting your will to protect your children and assure their financial stability.

08/20/2023

See our latest blog concerning naming Tutors in your Will for your minor childeen.

If you have minor children, you should consider naming Tutors in your Will to provide who will raise your child in case you pass away.