Business Details
10 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Estate Planning & Elder Law Services in Shreveport
Established in 2016, our firm builds upon decades of combined legal expertise in estate planning, elder law, and public benefits advocacy. Our attorneys bring over 70 years of collective experience navigating complex legal frameworks related to Medicaid, VA benefits, and special needs planning. We prioritize personalized client relationships, dedicating time to understand individual circumstances and create tailored solutions that protect clients' well-being and assets. Our practice emphasizes clear communication and comprehensive education about available legal options, ensuring informed decision-making.With backgrounds in government service, nonprofit advocacy, and private practice, our team approaches each case with both technical proficiency and compassionate counsel. We maintain strong professional networks for coordinated care referrals and actively contribute to legal education through seminars and published articles. Our commitment to excellence has earned recognition from clients and peers, including awards for community-focused legal writing.
Services
Estate Planning
Medicaid Planning
VA Benefits
Successions
Special Needs Trusts
Asset Protection
Guardianship
Probate
Legal Consultation
Public Benefits Advocacy
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of combined experience in elder law and estate planning
- Our attorneys hold leadership roles in local legal and senior advocacy organizations
- We provide customized legal solutions instead of generic templates
- Our team includes Louisiana's leading special needs planning experts
- We maintain active professional referrals for coordinated healthcare and financial services
What people say
Instrumental in helping
Genuinely caring
Highly recommend
Invaluable guidance
Peace of mind
Services
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans that address both posthumous asset distribution and lifetime decision-making authority. Our approach combines legal expertise with compassionate counseling to protect clients' wishes and family interests. We emphasize clear documentation and ongoing plan maintenance to adapt to changing circumstances.
Medicaid Planning
Our Medicaid specialists develop strategies to preserve assets while qualifying for nursing home benefits. We navigate complex eligibility rules and implement legal solutions that protect clients' financial security without compromising care quality. Our planning considers both immediate needs and future contingencies.
Special Needs Trusts
We establish protective trusts that maintain public benefits eligibility for disabled beneficiaries. Our Louisiana-specific expertise ensures compliance with forced heirship laws while safeguarding assets. We coordinate with financial professionals to create comprehensive support systems for special needs individuals.
Successions
We streamline Louisiana's unique succession process to transfer assets efficiently. Our team handles both simple and complex probate matters, leveraging Napoleonic Code provisions to expedite proceedings. We guide executors and heirs through legal requirements while minimizing family conflicts.
Asset Protection
We implement legal strategies to shield assets from long-term care costs and potential creditors. Our planning considers both immediate protection needs and future uncertainties. We combine trust instruments with tax-efficient strategies to maximize wealth preservation for future generations.
People
Joseph R. Gilsoul
Attorney & Founder
With 40+ years of legal experience, Joe specializes in estate planning and elder law. A former IRS agent and Loyola Law School graduate, he combines tax expertise with compassionate counsel. He lectures extensively on elder law topics and authors educational resources for professionals and the public.
Lee Aronson
Elder Law Attorney
Lee brings 20+ years of elder law experience focusing on special needs planning. A Tulane Law graduate, he previously worked with state mental health agencies and legal aid organizations. He writes an award-winning legal column and serves on the Louisiana State Bar Association's Elder Law Committee.
Bridget Lyman
Client Care Coordinator
Bridget specializes in geriatric care coordination with a master's degree in gerontology. She connects clients with healthcare resources and supports families navigating dementia care challenges. Her background includes Medicaid planning and long-term care advocacy.
Angela Rivers
Office Manager
Angela manages firm operations with over a decade of experience in financial services and real estate. She ensures efficient client service delivery and coordinates administrative support for attorneys while maintaining meticulous records.
Tiffany Green
Legal Assistant
Tiffany provides client support with library science experience and community knowledge. She assists with document preparation and client communication, applying her organizational skills to support the firm's elder law practice.
Questions
What estate planning documents do I really need?
Every adult should have a will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare directive. We customize additional documents based on your family situation and asset protection needs.
How can Medicaid planning protect my assets?
Our strategies legally reposition assets to meet Medicaid eligibility requirements while preserving wealth for beneficiaries. We implement trusts and gifting strategies that comply with Louisiana law.
What makes special needs trusts different?
These trusts maintain government benefit eligibility while providing supplemental support. We structure them to comply with Louisiana's forced heirship laws and federal disability regulations.
How long does probate take in Louisiana?
Our streamlined succession process typically completes within 3-6 months using Louisiana's simplified procedures, compared to 1-2 years in many other states.
Do you offer 24/7 legal emergency assistance?
Yes, we provide 24/7 consultation for urgent matters like nursing home placements or guardianship emergencies through our on-call attorney system.
Can I update my estate plan later?
Absolutely. We recommend reviewing plans every 3-5 years or after major life events. We offer complimentary consultations to discuss necessary updates.
