Law Office of Alan Kansas
Estate Planning Attorney Gretna, Louisiana
I help New Orleans and West Bank families build estate plans that hold up under Louisiana law — wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and the tutorship documents that name who raises your children if you can't be there. Every document is drafted personally by me, on a flat fee.
Louisiana Estate Law Is Different. Your Plan Should Be Too.
National DIY platforms weren't built for Louisiana. Our state has its own requirements for how a will must be executed, forced heirship rules that restrict how you can disinherit a child, a community property regime that shapes how assets are owned, and a process for transferring assets after death called a succession that looks different than probate anywhere else in the country.
As an estate planning attorney in Gretna, Louisiana, I've practiced law here for more than 25 years, including years as a litigator where I watched estate documents get challenged in court. That experience shapes every document I draft. I know what holds up and what falls apart.
For families in Gretna, New Orleans, Metairie, Terrytown, Chalmette, and across Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Bernard Parish, I offer something an online platform can't: a flat-fee estate plan built for Louisiana, drafted personally by an attorney who knows your situation — so your family avoids the legal drama that follows when documents aren't done right.
Planning Ahead for the People Who Matter Most
It is not always an easy topic to think about, but for parents of minor children, naming who should care for them is an important part of estate planning.
In Louisiana, this is handled through a tutorship designation. It allows you to put your wishes in writing and identify the person you would trust to care for your children if you were no longer able to do so.
For families with minor children, I include this as a core part of the estate planning process. A clear plan helps reduce uncertainty and gives your loved ones important guidance during an already difficult time.
Your Estate Plan Should Cover More Than a Will
I work with Louisiana families across five areas of estate and succession law.
Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning
Thoughtful wills, trusts, and powers of attorney designed to reflect your goals and provide peace of mind for the road ahead.
Successions
Louisiana's process for legally transferring assets after a death. I handle uncontested successions efficiently, including those filed with the 24th Judicial District Court in Jefferson Parish, the courthouse two blocks from my Gretna office.
Special Needs Trusts
When a disabled child inherits assets or receives a lump sum without the right planning in place, Medicaid and SSI eligibility can disappear immediately. A properly structured trust protects both the inheritance and the benefits.
Emergency Guardianship Planning
Tutorship designation documents that legally name who cares for your children in an emergency. Every parent needs these. Most don't have them.
Asset Protection Planning
Pre-nursing home strategies to protect savings and property from long-term care costs — before an emergency forces the conversation.
My Commitment to You
We live in a complicated world, and most of us barely have the time and energy to handle everything life throws at us. I get that. My job is to make the legal side as clear and straightforward as possible — so you leave every conversation knowing exactly where things stand, what comes next, and what it costs.
Whether you're building an estate plan or handling a succession after a loss, I'm here to help you take care of business efficiently, with minimal stress and no unnecessary legal drama.
Thoughtful Planning Today to Help Prevent Disputes Tomorrow
Before focusing on estate planning, I spent years in litigation, including matters where estate documents and contracts were closely reviewed in court. I saw how unclear language, missing details, or questions raised years later could create stress and uncertainty for families.
That experience shapes the way I approach estate planning today. My goal is to prepare documents that are clear, thoughtful, and built to reflect your wishes as carefully as possible.
You work with me directly throughout the process, from the first conversation to the final signing. I stay involved at each stage so your plan is handled with care, consistency, and attention to detail.
What Louisiana Families Ask Before Getting Started
How do I find an estate planning attorney near me in Gretna, LA?
My office is at 519 Huey P Long Avenue in Gretna, two blocks from the 24th JDC courthouse. I meet with clients by appointment and offer 15-minute discovery calls by phone or Zoom for those who want to talk through their situation before scheduling an in-person meeting.
What's the difference between a will and a succession in Louisiana?
A will is the document you create during your lifetime that directs how your assets are distributed after you die. A succession is the legal process your family goes through after your death to actually transfer those assets, Louisiana's version of what other states call probate. I help clients on both sides: planning the will now and handling the succession when it's needed.
Do Louisiana wills have special requirements?
Yes. Louisiana recognizes two types of valid wills: notarial wills, which require specific witness and notary formalities, and olographic wills, which must be entirely handwritten, dated, and signed by the testator. A will that doesn't meet these requirements can be invalidated. Most national online platforms don't account for Louisiana's execution rules.
How much does an estate plan cost in Gretna, Louisiana?
I structure most estate plans as flat-fee engagements, so you know the total cost before we begin. The specific fee depends on what your plan needs to include — a simple will and power of attorney differs from a comprehensive plan with a trust and tutorship documents. I cover pricing on our 15-minute discovery call, before any engagement starts.
Your Plan Is One Conversation Away
Most people are surprised by how simple the process is once they start. A 15-minute discovery call is enough time to understand your situation, talk through what kind of plan makes sense, and figure out next steps.
