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www.MorrisonLawPLC.com | (504) 831-2348 | July 2025
METAIRIE OFFICE 3813 N. Causeway Blvd. Suite 200, Metairie, LA 70002
COVINGTON OFFICE 40 Louis Prima Dr., Covington, LA 70433
Planning Today to Support Causes You Love Tomorrow YOUR FINAL GIFT
Thank you for your referrals!
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Crescent Title Mary Meehan Danny Douglass
A decision to complete an estate plan often leads people to think about giving things away, not only to loved ones but also to beloved causes or favorite charities. In recognition of July 15 as National Give Something Away Day, this is a good time to consider including charitable bequests in your estate plan. Naming a favored charity or nonprofit in your will can foster a sense of purpose. It enables you to support causes you care about after you’re gone, including specific research, operations, or programs, and it may inspire others to make donations as well. If your taxable estate is subject to estate taxes — that is, if it exceeds $13.99 million, as of 2025 — a charitable bequest also can reduce that tax burden. Creating a Last Will and Testament allows you to make your voice heard after your passing. If you wish to make a gift to a charity or nonprofit organization, a will allows you to express those wishes clearly and specifically. If you change your mind over time and want to adjust those plans, you can always update your will. Once you have documented your desire to make a charitable bequest, we send a letter to the recipient organization explaining that we’ve done the planning required. This process is often profoundly satisfying to our clients, who enjoy thinking about the good works that will be accomplished through their generosity.
Illness is a grassroots nonprofit that advocates for people with autism, including the mental health conditions that often coexist with this developmental disorder. Local and regional organizations that welcome charitable bequests include Cajun Navy Relief, a volunteer organization that conducts rescue and relief efforts during southern Louisiana disasters. The Second Harvest Food Bank of South Louisiana provides much-needed food assistance to those in need. Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana helps people surmount barriers of all kinds and gain economic self-sufficiency. Among regional animal welfare organizations, the Humane Society of Louisiana draws praise from local volunteers as a boots-on-the-ground group of hardworking, knowledgeable animal lovers. Animal Rescue New Orleans maintains a no-kill shelter and screens new adoptive homes for old, sick, injured, or abandoned animals. Environmental advocates may consider Healthy Gulf, a nonprofit that works to restore the natural resources of the Gulf of Mexico region. For nature-lovers, the Audubon Nature Institute is a New Orleans-based nonprofit that maintains museums and parks to exhibit wildlife diversity and educate the public. This is just a small sampling of worthwhile recipients for your charitable gifts. If you are unsure how to bequeath your assets
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Loyd Bourgeois
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Stacey C.S. Cerrone Rudy Schatzmann
Ben Zamora Kristi Louque
George & Margaret Maier
• Warner Murphy
Know someone who’s been putting off their estate plan? Sometimes, all they need is a little nudge from someone they trust — you! Scan here to refer a friend and help them take the first step:
To learn more about succession planning,
Among the nonprofit organizations that are popular recipients of charitable bequests here in southeastern Louisiana are the American Cancer Society and the Alzheimer’s
after you pass or would like to better understand your choices regarding charitable bequests, contact us today for a consultation. We would be
scan the code and listen to attorney Chip Morrison explain why avoiding the probate or succession process can benefit you and your loved ones.
glad to help you lay plans to create a meaningful legacy that benefits the good causes of your choice.
Association. These two high-impact national
nonprofits support critical research important to many of our clients. Similarly, the National Alliance on Mental
–Chip Morrison
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(504) 831-2348
Planning With Purpose
Brett Roberts has worked in many areas of the law, from tribal and agricultural law to commercial litigation. However, the practice that warms his heart is helping clients create the legacy they want through careful estate planning. A native Louisianan raised on the North Shore, Brett says every step in his education and career has been motivated by a desire to serve others. “The values I learned growing up just made me want to help people,” he says. Working with clients on wills, trusts, and successions fulfills that goal. His path to the law was rich and varied. Eager to inspire and help people through the fine arts, he worked for several years in film editing and production in California, serving as a first assistant editor on a Netflix production and directing an indie feature film. Seeing few prospects for fulfillment there, he returned to the Southeast to pursue a lifelong interest in law.
Brett earned a JD degree in natural law and Catholic legal studies from Ave Maria Law School in Naples, Florida, and a Master of Laws degree in agricultural and food law from the University of Arkansas, with a special interest in small farmers and indigenous people. Seeing small farmers nationwide losing their land “was pulling on my heartstrings,” he says. He also served as a law clerk for a New Mexico firm specializing in tribal law. After graduating, Brett accepted a position as a defense attorney at a Louisiana law firm, handling commercial litigation. Still, he says, “a running theme was that I was doing a lot of work that didn’t speak to my heart.” When he had opportunities there to help clients with will signings, he adds, “my heart changed because those were the only times I was able to have any client interaction.”
into work with more personal meaning. He joined our firm last January. “Morrison Law Group is family as far as I’m concerned,” Brett says. “Meeting with clients on wills, trusts, and other estate-planning matters is exactly the kind of work I want to do.” He adds, “I am able to talk to folks about some of the toughest decisions they’ll ever have to make.” Above all, Brett enjoys “making our clients comfortable knowing that they are in really good hands.”
After the 2024 birth of his and his wife’s first child, Benedict, Brett took a decisive step
Mark Your Calendar for These Helpful Events Save the Date
Trustee School Wine & Wills Join us this summer at one of our invaluable Trustee workshops. It’s an opportunity you and your Successor Trustee should not miss! You will learn: • What your Trustees need to know — actions to take and whom to contact at death or incapacity • Your Trustee’s legal and financial responsibilities — including tax returns, managing assets, and required accounting • How to avoid common and costly mistakes that could result in tax consequences, financial loss, and legal liability • How to disperse inheritances from a Trust and how to avoid disputes with family members Tuesday, Aug. 26 Mandeville Total Wine — 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27 Metairie Total Wine — 5 p.m.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s Join us on Saturday, Sept. 27, for The Northshore Walk to End Alzheimer’s to raise funds and critical support for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research! Kim is honored to serve as co-chair of the Walk Committee for this important fundraising event. We remain grateful to our friends, neighbors, and clients for supporting our fundraising efforts in last year’s Walk, which netted our Gabb-Morrison LLP team $14,000 in donations and earned us top honors among local fundraising teams.
Scan this code or shorturl.at/LOEy to download ou “Little Black Book Successions” and what you need to k NOW about the succ process in Louisia
We hope to surpass those great results this year! Call us at 504-831-2348 or scan this QR code to walk with our team or make a donation.
Call 504-831-2348 or scan the QR code to register today!
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SMART STEPS FOR PRESERVING YOUR INDEPENDENCE Your Life, Your Terms
As an ancient philosopher once said, freedom is the power to live as one wishes. Maintaining that power is one of the highest priorities for aging adults who want to remain in control of their lives. In recognition of Independence Day, July is a good time to look at strategies for maintaining your independence. Many older adults do not want to become a burden to their families or have someone else call the shots on where they live or how they spend their final years. We have several ways of helping our clients maintain control over their lives. Our colleague Ronda Gabb believes pre-planning for incapacity is more important than planning for death. If you haven’t done any advance planning and suddenly become incapacitated by a stroke, illness, or accident, someone will need to manage your affairs, pay your bills, and make decisions about your care.
One effective way to guard against an interdiction is to create two strong power of attorney documents. One governs health-related issues and confers decision-making authority to a trusted person of your choice. (A document called a living will, or advance directive, serves a similar purpose.) The other power of attorney transfers decision-making authority over your property and assets to a trusted agent to make crucial decisions on your behalf. Another way of accomplishing this is to establish a revocable living trust, overseen by a trustee capable of overseeing your affairs. Sky-high long-term care costs can also easily destroy your hard- earned nest egg unless you engage in pre-planning. The most widely used strategy is a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust. When assets are transferred correctly to this kind of trust in advance, it can help an older adult qualify for Medicaid assistance and shelter assets from Medicaid reimbursement claims after they pass away. After we help our clients work through these issues, many breathe a sigh of relief that they have done everything possible to maintain control over major
Unless you plan ahead for this possibility, you could face an interdiction — a costly, humiliating court proceeding whereby a “person of standing,” such as a family member, asks a court to declare you incompetent and appoint a curator to oversee you and your affairs, and it may not be anyone you would have chosen. An interdiction also precludes wise planning for Medicaid eligibility, as discussed below.
life decisions. Call us today to review your estate plan. We will happily help you ensure the maximum possible independence through your golden years.
GARLIC PARMESAN SHRIMP
“Chip Morrison is top-notch in his field and a consummate professional. Strongly recommend!” ~ Leanne T. “We were happy to have Chip Morrison draw up our wills, powers of attorney, and develop a trust for our adult children’s inheritance. He’s a to-the-point, clear-talking guy. We really appreciated the way he explained everything and showed us what choices we could make. Highly recommend!” 5-STAR REVIEWS
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by CooktopCove.com
• 3 tbsp olive oil • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese • 1 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley • Juice of 1 lemon
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. 2. In a bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. 3. Add shrimp to the bowl and toss until fully coated. 4. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet. 5. Roast in the oven for 7–9 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and slightly golden. 6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley and fresh lemon juice before serving.
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~ Paula H.
3 (504) 831-2348
3813 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 200 Metairie, LA 70002
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INSIDE
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Plan With Purpose: Bequeath Assets to a Beloved Charity pg. 2 Meet Brett Roberts, Our Estate Planning Attorney
Save These Dates for Educational and Service Events!
pg. 3 The Freedom Formula: How Planning Ahead Helps Seniors Stay in Control Garlic Parmesan Shrimp pg. 4 Inexpensive and Memorable
Grandparent-Grandchild Activities
Fun and Frugal Ideas for Grandkids Cost-Conscious Connections
Summer vacation is the golden opportunity to make precious memories with your grandkids without breaking the bank! While life’s hustle and bustle can sometimes throw a wrench in your plans, creativity can go a long way. Here are six ways to have a blast with the kiddos on a budget. Explore Nature Together Nothing beats getting outside! Many local nature preserves offer free or low-cost access, and they’re great places to hike, learn about local plants and wildlife, or even participate in volunteer activities. The fresh air, the sounds of birds, and the chance to explore are perfect for curious young minds (and those young at heart!). Share Your Hobbies Do you have a knack for knitting or a passion for golf? Chances are that your grandkids would love to learn! Sharing your hobbies can be a fun, practically free
way to spend time together. Whether it’s a morning fishing trip to a nearby lake or an afternoon crafting, these moments can become cherished memories. Discover Local Gems Smaller, lesser-known museums or factory tours can be fascinating and won’t hurt your wallet. They’re often just the right scale for shorter attention spans and are usually less crowded. Plus, they sometimes offer discounts or free days — don’t forget to ask! Utilize Community Resources Your local library or community center likely hosts a variety of free or inexpensive activities. From story hours to craft days, these events are for family fun and learning. Also, be sure to check out any local festivals. Build and Create Look out for free classes at local hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s, where
kids can engage in projects like building a birdhouse. These workshops promise a good time and give the kids something to take home and be proud of. Hometown Tourism Lastly, don’t underestimate the joy of simple activities. A picnic in the park, flying a kite, or a day playing board games can be just as exciting and meaningful as any expensive outing.
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