ESTATE
PLANNING
Your Legacy, Protected and Preserved
At MATTHEW JAMES Tax & Wealth Management in Lafayette, Louisiana, we help you pass on more than assets—we help you pass on peace of mind. A well-crafted estate plan keeps your family out of probate court, prevents costly legal battles, and ensures your wishes are honored without confusion. Whether you’re securing your grandchildren’s future or protecting your spouse, our expert team helps you build a legacy that lasts—without the stress.
DREAM IT. PLAN IT. DO IT.
DREAM IT. PLAN IT. DO IT.
WEALTH THAT LASTS BEYOND A LIFETIME
Estate planning goes beyond writing a will. We design strategies that secure your legacy and protect your family from avoidable taxes and legal issues.
WHAT WE DO
🟨 Trust planning [revocable, irrevocable, asset protection]
🟨 Beneficiary designations and titling strategy
🟨 Estate tax minimization
🟨 Charitable giving tools
🟨 Intergenerational legacy plans
LEGACY COORDINATION
We work with your attorneys and our CPA to ensure your estate plan reflects your full financial picture.
LIVING PLANNING
Planning for death is important. Planning for what happens if you’re alive but incapacitated is essential. We cover both.
TURN WEALTH INTO LEGACY
Your estate plan is your final act of financial strategy—and we make sure it’s executed flawlessly. From trusts and wills to generational transfers and tax mitigation, we help preserve what matters most.
SMART STRUCTURE, MAXIMUM IMPACT
Whether you want to support heirs, donate to causes, or avoid probate, we create estate plans that honor your legacy while protecting your loved ones from unnecessary tax exposure.
LEGACY JUST ISN'T FOR THE WEALTHY
Estate planning is essential at every level of affluence. We make it accessible, understandable, and strategically aligned with your bigger picture.
ESTATE PLANNING FAQs
What is estate planning and why is it important?
🟨 Estate planning is the process of preparing for the transfer of your assets after your passing. It includes creating wills, trusts, and other legal docucments to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. It’s important because it can minimize estate taxes, avoid family disputes, and protect your legacy.
Should I have a will or a trust?
🟨 A will outlines how your assets will be distributed after your death, while a trust can provide more control and flexibility. A trust can help avoid probate, reduce estate taxes, and ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Our estate planning experts can help you determine which option best fits your goals.
How can I reduce estate taxes for my heirs?
What are common mistakes people make in estate planning?
🟨 Common mistakes include not updating estate plans, failing to plan for long-term healthcare needs, and neglecting to name beneficiaries for assets like retirement accounts. We work with you to avoid these pitfalls, ensuring your estate plan reflects your current wishes and protects your assets.
WHERE YOU ARE ALONG YOUR RETIREMENT JOURNEY:
While You're Building Wealth
If you're still working and growing your assets, now is the perfect time to establish an estate plan. Strategic estate planning ensures your wealth is protected, tax-efficient, and aligned with your legacy goals—so you’re not just earning, but building a future that lasts.
As You Approach Retirement
Approaching retirement is the ideal time to review and refine your estate plan. From trusts to beneficiary designations, a smart estate strategy helps you minimize taxes, avoid probate, and preserve more of your wealth for the people and causes you care about.
After You
Have Retired
In retirement, estate planning becomes even more important. With the right strategies in place, you can protect your legacy, manage healthcare directives, and ensure a smooth wealth transfer—helping your loved ones avoid legal and financial complications down the road.
OUR SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR RETIREMENT GOALS
