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www.MorrisonLawPLC.com | (504) 831-2348 | April 2025
METAIRIE OFFICE 3813 N Causeway Blvd. Suite 200, Metairie, LA 70002
COVINGTON OFFICE 40 Louis Prima Dr., Covington, LA 70433
Write an Estate Plan That Keeps Sibling Rivalries at Bay PEACE, NOT PROBATE
• Autism Society of GNO • Bart Broussard • Charmagne Simon • Christina Scalco • Claire Tibbetts • Eddie Rudiger • Fred & Nicole Palmer Thank you for your referrals!
One of our clients’ most frequent worries is that their kids will fight over their estate after they’re gone. Unfortunately, even the most well-meaning parents can’t always prevent brothers and sisters from fighting, but they can help calm those tensions. In recognition of National Sibling Day on April 10, this is a good time to recognize the value of preserving harmony among brothers and sisters. When settling a parent’s estate poses a high risk of sibling conflict, careful planning and forethought are essential. Here are five steps to keep in mind. Be clear about your intentions. If you have personal valuables you want
Dad’s wishes. A better path is to avoid specifying particular vehicle models or property addresses and to describe the assets as “my primary residence” or “my personal vehicle.” Name an impartial executor. Parents often feel comfortable asking a child they deem responsible or trustworthy to serve as executor or trustee. However, this gesture of trust can turn out to be a Trojan horse if other siblings’ resentments and squabbles besiege the child. An executor who fails to be unswervingly open about the details of disposing of assets, for example, can spark resentment and suspicion among other siblings who suspect the executor is stealing money. A better route is to select a close, trusted
• Jo Dean Krack • Joshua Billings • Kendall Maddox • Kristi Louque • Robert Dempster • Tad Dowd
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 leave to a specific person, lay out those wishes in your will or living trust. If you know battling over those assets will cause family strife, however, consider directing your executor to sell them to a third party with no emotional stake and divide the cash among your heirs.
friend or different family member to play this role — someone who understands your wishes in-depth, will share information openly with all affected parties, and is well-positioned to navigate the delicate interpersonal
complexities of settling the estate.
Anticipate changes in asset values. It might seem entirely sensible to bequeath the family home to one child and the vacation home to the other. However, the value of those assets can change dramatically over the years. The vacation house might appreciate by 50% while the market value of the family home doesn’t budge. Or, if you leave a house to one child and your investment and savings accounts to another, the value of either of those assets could fluctuate sharply. The result for your kids could be blatantly unfair. Keep your estate plan up to date. Some people draft wills or estate plans leaving their 2010 Lincoln Town Car or the house at 123 Main Street to a specific child but forget to update their will later after both the car and the home have been sold. As a result, the assets the decedent actually owned at the time of death would fall, through intestacy, in equal shares to all the decedent’s children, regardless of Mom’s or
Face the maturity question. Estate planning also brings another critical question front and center: Are your children — and perhaps your children’s spouses, too — mature enough to handle their inheritance? And what if that lazy son-in-law gets divorced from your daughter and tries to claim part of the inheritance she deposited in a joint account? If your primary goal is to protect your family’s future, you may want to consider taking steps to control future use of your assets by placing them in a trust. The more open you are with your children about your plans and wishes, the better your chances of ironing out potential wrinkles in advance and leaving a legacy that will preserve family harmony. The peace of mind you gain from knowing you did your best can be well worth the effort.
To learn more about succession planning,
scan the code and listen to attorney Chip Morrison explain why avoiding the probate or succession process can benefit you and your loved ones.
–Chip Morrison
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(504) 831-2348
Meet Erica Gregg, Our Estate Planning Paralegal
After a decade of working in real estate, Erica Gregg was eager to find a new career that would afford her a greater sense of purpose. When an opportunity to join our firm arose, she jumped at the chance. More than a year later, Erica has passed the state’s rigorous Louisiana Notary Public exam and is providing notary and paralegal services for our attorneys and clients. The work is a great fit, she says. “I am one who loves to plan,
and I am detail-oriented.” Most of all, Erica says she loves the firm’s positive, proactive culture. “It feels like family,” she says. Erica’s first role for us was client relations, and about six months after joining the firm, she passed the state’s tough seven-hour notary test. Often called a “mini-bar exam,” Louisiana’s notary test is regarded as the most difficult in the country. Only about 20% of those who take it pass. “It was a huge accomplishment for me,” she says. Erica sees a real need for our services since only 30% of people have estate plans. She likes providing clients with “the reassurance that their hard work and everything they’ve built in their lifetime is going to go to whom or where they want. Giving them that peace of mind really makes me happy.” She always strives to ensure every client is well-informed and confident throughout their planning journey. “Our approach with each client is very customized,” she says.
She recently worked with a grandmother to photograph, itemize, and make a list of a variety of jewelry pieces to allay her concerns that each item was certain to go to the grandchild she intended. Erica brings to her work a decade of experience as a communications liaison and strategic marketer in real estate, including several years in Arizona. “I felt homesick, and I missed Mardi Gras.” The festive Louisiana holiday, she adds, “is just a Tuesday everywhere else!” Away from the office, Erica loves playing with her two dogs, a German shepherd-husky mix named Andouille and a goldendoodle, Jacques-Imo. Andouille “wants to run laps and jump on everything,” and Jacques-Imo likes playing a “make the bunny disappear” game by tapping on Erica’s iPad with his paw. “They are both spoiled rotten, and they keep me energized and active,” Erica says. Delighted to be back in Louisiana, she looks forward to Mardi Gras each year!
DEAR DIARY, PLEASE DON’T BE USED AGAINST ME IN COURT
Many of us have fond memories of writing in diaries or journals throughout our youth. We would share our thoughts and feelings in a book we would keep hidden from friends, family members, and others. It was our sanctuary where we could be ourselves without worrying about judgment or embarrassment. You may even remember the feeling of rage or hopelessness when you spotted your brother or sister holding your diary. Thankfully, there usually wasn’t anything too incriminating in our teenage diaries, and some of us have continued the practice well into adulthood. However, a recent news story proves we should be cautious about the information we share in our private journals. Last year, a Minnesota woman was arrested for auto theft. While investigating the incident and looking into Vanessa Guerra, a suspect in the case, a law enforcement officer allegedly found her diary. He flipped through the pages, looking for any information that would catch his eye, when he
stumbled upon an entry from Aug. 12, the same day a 2004 Ford Freestar van was stolen and resold at an auto salvage business. “Totally stole a car today! Something I never thought of doing,” Guerra allegedly wrote in her diary. “Super-freaking out about it.” Guerra was charged with receiving stolen property and theft, although she claims she didn’t know the vehicle was stolen. However, workers at the auto salvage business informed law enforcement they recognized Guerra as the seller of the stolen vehicle. Most people will probably not blab to others about crimes they have committed, especially if they are currently unsolved. This case reminds us to be just as cautious about what we write in private journals. While your diary may be your safe place to share your innermost thoughts and feelings, your entries could come back to haunt you if you’re involved in a criminal case, especially if you blatantly admit to the crime.
Scan this code or shorturl.at/LOEy to download our L Black Book of Succe and learn what you to know NOW ab the succession pro in Louisiana!
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE HELPFUL EVENTS Save the Date
CLIENT APPRECIATION: SHRED DAY Over the years, everyone has collected stacks of paper, canceled checks, and confidential paperwork — just a couple of examples of what can accumulate. And you can’t just throw that stuff away! Protect your identity and reduce clutter by shredding your unwanted documents. Join us for our 3rd annual FREE document shredding event!
TRUSTEE SCHOOL 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
Covington Office: Thursday, April 24, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Metairie Office: Friday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• 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
Call 504-831-2348 or scan this QR code to register today!
• How to disperse inheritances from a Trust and how to avoid disputes with family member.
Total Wine Mandeville: Tuesday, June 10 at 5:00 p.m. Total Wine Metairie: Wednesday, June 11 at 5:00 p.m.
Keto Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken
“The Morrison team was an amazing group to work with while helping my parents with their estate planning. They took the time to truly listen to their needs and questions which made the process so much easier than we imagined.” 5-STAR REVIEWS
INGREDIENTS
Inspired by DietDoctor.com
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4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
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1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth 2 tbsp heavy cream 1 lemon, zest and juice 2 tbsp chopped parsley, for garnish
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter 2 cloves garlic, minced
DIRECTIONS
—Jennifer F.
visit ya Little essions u need bout ocess
1. Preheat oven to 400 F and season chicken with salt and pepper. 2. Heat olive oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken skin-side down until crispy, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook 2 more minutes; remove from skillet and set aside. 3. Melt butter in skillet, then sauté garlic until fragrant. Add broth, cream, lemon juice, and zest. Simmer for 3 minutes. 4. Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over, and bake in oven for 15–20 minutes or until cooked through (165 F internal temperature). Garnish with parsley before serving.
“Excellent attorney who was able to complete a will in a timely, efficient, and professional manner. Would highly recommend.”
—Kenny S.
3 (504) 831-2348
3813 N Causeway Blvd. Suite 200, Metairie, LA 70002
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INSIDE
pg. 1
Estate Planning for Peace: Prevent Sibling Squabbles Before They Start
pg. 2 Introducing Erica, Our Estate Planning Paralegal and Notary
When Your Diary Becomes Evidence
pg. 3 Save These Dates for
Educational and Service Events!
pg. 4 Mastering the Art of Nature Photography
Quick Tips for Better Outdoor Photos Capture Nature’s Beauty Like a Pro
can inform your equipment selection. Timing is also key. Early morning and late afternoon, known as the “golden hours,” offer soft, diffused light that enhances natural scenes. Master Your Equipment Be sure to familiarize yourself with your camera’s settings. Some of the most important include aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, which control exposure and depth of field. For instance, a wide aperture (low f-stop) can help create a shallow depth of field and isolate your subject from the background, which is particularly effective for wildlife photography. Conversely, a narrow aperture (high f-stop) is ideal for landscape shots because it increases the depth of field and helps keep more of the scene in focus. Consider Composition In photography, composition is key. When taking nature photographs, apply
compositional rules such as the rule of thirds (placing subjects off-center), leading lines (guiding the eye with pathways or rivers), and framing (using natural elements to highlight the subject). Experimenting with different perspectives and angles can also add depth to your photos. Be Respectful Whenever you’re out in the field, respect the environment by following local guidelines, maintaining a safe distance from wildlife, and minimizing your impact on natural habitats. Always stay on designated paths and never remove any natural objects. Following a few simple rules protects wildlife and the landscape and maintains the integrity of your photography. With these tips in mind, you’re ready to enjoy the outdoors while capturing images that reflect the beauty of the natural world.
Nature photography offers a great way to get outside and capture the beauty of the natural world. Whether you’re new to this hobby or have been snapping photos for years, you can always enhance your skills with these four tips for producing compelling outdoor photos. Plan Ahead Before heading outside with your camera and other gear, research your chosen location and the subject you aim to photograph. Understanding the local wildlife, plant life, and weather conditions
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