How Much Does an Estate Planning Lawyer Charge in Louisiana?
When considering estate planning options, most people ask themselves: How much does an estate planning lawyer charge in Louisiana? Unfortunately, there isn’t one easy answer. The cost of working with a Louisiana estate planning attorney is highly subjective, which can make it stressful to decide who to work with and if it’s worth it to hire an estate planning lawyer in the first place.
Cost Factors for Hiring a Louisiana Estate Planning Attorney
There are many factors that play a part in the overall cost of hiring a Louisiana estate planning attorney. It’s important to do your research before you hire an estate planning lawyer to ensure you’re working with a team that has experience handling cases like yours and that you can afford their services. The good news is you can typically schedule an initial meeting to learn more about a law firm and confirm it’s a good fit before you commit to working with them.
You can typically expect a Louisiana estate planning attorney to charge a fixed fee, hourly rate, or retainer depending on the complexity of your case and their preferred pricing structure. The overall cost is going to depend on the complexity of your case and the overall value of the estate. More complicated estate plans may include things like business assets, investment accounts, real estate property, special needs beneficiaries, and other complexities.
The services you require can also impact the overall cost of working with a Louisiana estate planning attorney. Your lawyer can help with any number of tasks, including:
- Asset transfers
- Pet trusts
- Powers of attorney
- Small business planning
- Succession
- Trusts
- Wills
It’s important to understand the scope of services you require before you hire an estate planning lawyer. You can often look for better deals based on the specific services you require instead of doing a broad search for any lawyer. Our team at Field Law takes pride in our thorough understanding of Louisiana estate planning laws. It’s wise to work with attorneys who are dedicated to this niche area of law.
Estate Planning in Louisiana
An estate plan can give you peace of mind knowing your finances and other property are secure for generations to come. You can make decisions about what happens to your money, who gets what property, and how your wealth is to be managed going forward. Estates can range from simple to very complex.
In a recent study, 55 percent of respondents said they’re going to leave behind some amount of debt when they pass. Despite this knowledge, the 2025 Trust & Will Estate Planning Report indicated that 55 percent of people in the United States have no estate documents prepared whatsoever.
According to the same study, the percentage of those with a Will has decreased from 33% in 2022 to just 24% in 2025. This could leave many unanswered questions for your loved ones should something unexpected happen.
Louisiana is home to over 4,600,000 people and reports a median household income of $60,986. It’s important for residents to make a plan for their assets to ensure they go to the right people when they pass on.
Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer
While there isn’t an exact way to estimate how much it costs to hire an estate planning lawyer in Louisiana, it is possible to learn about what goes into the cost of working with a legal professional on your estate planning case. With this knowledge, you can make educated decisions about whether a certain law firm is worth it or not.
FAQs
What Is Involved in Estate Planning in Louisiana?
Every estate plan is unique, which means you can expect the estate planning process to look different on a case-by-case basis. An estate plan in Louisiana can involve any number of tasks, including appointing guardians, creating a will, establishing a Power of Attorney and healthcare directives, and opening a trust. You must also assign an executor of your estate to make legal decisions on your behalf once you pass. Otherwise, the state assigns one for you.
Do I Have to Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer to Make a Plan for the Future in Louisiana?
You are not required to hire an estate planning lawyer. In fact, you’re not obligated to create an estate plan in the first place. That said, creating an estate plan is the only way to ensure you retain control over what happens to your assets once you’ve passed on, and working with a Louisiana estate planning attorney is a sure-fire way to create a cohesive plan that secures your wealth for generations to come.
What’s the Difference Between an Estate Planner and an Estate Planning Lawyer in Louisiana?
Estate planners and estate planning attorneys are closely related, but they are not the same. An estate planner focuses on organizing your financial profile and advising you on steps to take to secure your finances for the future. An estate planning lawyer can do all this and initiate many of the processes to make them happen. This includes drafting legal documents, establishing wills and trusts, and representing clients in court.
What Happens If I Don’t Have an Estate Plan When I Die in Louisiana?
Without a valid will, an estate still must go through succession. Typically, this process is to validate a decedent’s will before distributing assets, but it still allows the court to appoint an executor to handle the estate. The estate’s executor oversees identifying outstanding debts and notifying creditors. They can also make decisions about selling estate assets to satisfy these debts. Once all debts and taxes are paid, they can distribute the assets to eligible heirs and beneficiaries.
Speak to Our Louisiana Estate Planning Lawyer
Estate planning can feel like a daunting prospect, but working with the right Louisiana estate planning attorney can make all the difference. Our team at Field Law brings over a decade of estate planning experience to the table that we’re ready to put to work for you. Contact the office to set up an initial consultation with an attorney you can trust today.
