What is a Medical Power of Attorney?
A medical power of attorney grants a trusted person the authority to act on your behalf in all medical matters in the event you become unable to act.
What is a Right to Die Declaration?
It is signed statement advising your loved ones of your wishes in the event you find yourself in a terminal or permanently unconscious state. It gives you the opportunity to state that you do not want life-sustaining procedures to prolong your death and that you would like to die naturally with only the medical care necessary to provide comfort.
What does the term succession mean?
In Louisiana, a succession is the process of settling a deceased person’s estate. This usually includes paying the debts of the deceased and then distributing his or her property to the heirs. This process is also referred to as “probate” in other states.
What is the difference between testate and intestate successions?
In Louisiana, successions are either testate or intestate. If someone dies with a will their succession will be testate and the will determines how the property is divided. If someone dies without a will, then the succession is intestate and Louisiana law will control which family members will inherit property and in what portion.
What does the term usufruct mean?
Usufruct refers to the right granted to someone to enjoy the use of another's property, but without destruction or depletion of the property. You can also refer to the person that has such rights as the usufruct. The naked owner is the person that actually owns the property subject of the usufruct.
How to know if the property is separate or community?
Generally, separate property includes property that is acquired by each spouse before they are married. It also includes property a spouse may receive during the marriage as inheritance or property designated as a gift given to one spouse; it may also include items purchased with separate funds -with proof the funds are in fact separate. Community property refers to the things acquired by a couple during their marriage.
What is the first thing I should if I lose a loved one?
Collect and preserve the deceased’s important documents. This includes, determining if there is a will and locating the original. As soon as possible, order multiple copies of his or her death certificate. Collect all current bills, mortgages and any other documents reflecting debts the deceased may have in his or her name. You will also want to collect any documents that serve as proof of property ownership, for example, vehicle title, act of sale, act of donation or act of transfer. Contact the deceased’s banking institutions and advise them of his or her death and document the bank account information [...]
Does all property go through succession?
No. Property that has a designated beneficiary does not go through succession. This includes, annuities, life insurance proceeds, IRAs and 401(k)s.
What happens when a person dies without a will?
When a person dies without a will or their will is determined to be invalid, his or her estate passes to the heirs or certain family members by intestate succession. Each state has its own intestate laws, in Louisiana, the following apply: If you have children, but no spouse, your children will inherit everything in equal portions. If you have children, siblings and/or parents, but no spouse, your children will inherit everything in equal portions. If you have a spouse, but no parents, siblings or children, your spouse will inherit everything. If you have parents, but no spouse, children or [...]
What is an uncontested divorce?
A divorce is uncontested when the opposing party does not file a response with objections to the divorce filing. They typically take less time and cost clients less money overall.