Think Your Property Automatically Goes To Your Spouse? Here’s the Truth

Many of you know us for our work helping people injured in car accidents. But our firm also assists clients with estate planning and successions — an area of law that affects every family, regardless of age or income.

A last will and testament is a legal document that clearly states how you want your property to be distributed after your death. Yet many people still believe they don’t need one. Common misconceptions include:

• “I’m too young to need a will.” In reality, you’re never too young to put basic plans in place. Creating an estate plan early gives you more flexibility and peace of mind.
• “I don’t have enough assets to justify a will.” The value of your property doesn’t matter — what matters is making sure it goes where you want it to go.
• “Everything will automatically go to my spouse.” This is one of the most common (and most harmful) misunderstandings. Without a will, Louisiana law decides who receives your property — and the outcome may not match your wishes.

At the Gennusa Firm, we make estate planning simple and affordable. We regularly prepare wills and estate plans for clients of all income levels, and we never charge for future revisions. That means you can create a plan now and update it as life changes — at no additional cost.

What Happens If You Don’t Have a Will?

If you pass away without a will, Louisiana’s default laws determine how your property is divided. And it does not automatically go to your spouse. In general:

• If you have children, your children inherit everything.
• If you do not have children, your spouse or other close relatives may inherit, depending on the type of property.
• If you have no spouse or children, your parents and siblings share your assets.

These rules may not reflect your wishes — which is why having a valid will is so important.

Why Plan Now?

Talking about estate planning isn’t easy, and many people put it off for that reason. But having a will in place makes things much simpler for your loved ones. It reduces confusion, prevents unnecessary conflict, and ensures your legacy is handled the way you intend.

Ready To Review Or Create Your Will?

📞 Call the Gennusa Firm today: (504) 298-1983
📅 Schedule a consultation: We’ll answer your questions and guide you through the process.
💼 Free unlimited revisions: Update your estate plan anytime — at no additional cost.

Protect your family. Protect your legacy. Start your estate plan today.