ESTATE PLANNING & SUCCESSION ADMINISTRATION
Get prepared for the next generation, today.
From wills & trusts to estate litigation, we're your estate planning solution.
You’ve built something valuable—don’t leave its future to chance. Whether you’re growing a startup, running a family business, or building your personal portfolio, having a smart estate plan in place ensures your legacy stays protected and your loved ones aren’t left guessing.
At SNW, we specialize in fast, thoughtful, and forward-looking estate planning for business owners, professionals, and families who want more than cookie-cutter documents.
What Estate Planning Covers:
- Wills & Trusts – Distribute your assets the way you want, with clarity and legal strength
- Powers of Attorney – Make sure someone you trust can act on your behalf in a crisis
- Healthcare Directives – Communicate your medical wishes clearly, ahead of time
- Business Succession Planning – Protect the future of your company and your team
- Digital Legacy Planning – Secure access to your online accounts, crypto, domains, and digital assets
We know your time is limited—that’s why we offer:
- 48-hour turnaround on will packages
- Flat-fee transparency (no surprise invoices)
- Evening and virtual consultations available
Your online life matters. From cloud storage to cryptocurrency, we help you organize and pass on your digital footprint with tools designed for today’s connected world.
Smart estate planning isn’t about expecting the worst—it’s about building with confidence. Let us give you peace of mind, knowing your business, assets, and people are protected.
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Blog
Construction Lien Property: What Every Buyer and Seller Needs to Know A construction lien on your property can stop a real estate closing in its tracks — here's what causes it and how to fix it. If you're buying or selling real estate and a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier was never paid for work done on the property, you could face a lien — and a closing that won't proceed until it's resolved. Understanding construction lien priority is essential for anyone in a real estate transaction. What Is Construction Lien Priority? Lien priority determines who gets paid first if a property is sold or foreclosed. In most states, construction-related liens — also called mechanic's liens or materialman's liens — can "relate back" to the date work first began, not the date the lien was filed. This means a lien recorded after your mortgage could still outrank it. 4 Common Ways Lien Priority Breaks Down at Closing Construction began before the mortgage was recorded — giving material man, contractors and subcontractors, priority over the lender. Unpaid subcontractors on a newly built home file liens the buyer never knew about. The seller failed to record a notice of completion, leaving the lien filing window open. Recording errors or gaps in the chain of title create disputed priority positions. How It Disrupts the Closing Cycle When a title examiner flags a construction lien — or evidence that work occurred without confirmed payment — the title insurer will typically refuse to issue a clean policy. Without title insurance, lenders won't fund. The result: delays, renegotiations, escrow holdbacks, or a failed transaction. How to Resolve a Construction Lien Before Closing – Additional Work and Costs While the below are all valid ways to potentially "work around" a lien and/or broken priority, they are requiring additional and often uncontemplated work and can include unanticipated costs, including getting lien waiver, paying the lienholder, securing a surety bond, and/or negotiated an indemnity (when backed by sufficient assets). To learn more or to schedule a consultation, contact Joseph R. Marriott at jospeh@snw.law or by telephone at (504)324-1886.
Testate vs. Intestate Successions in Louisiana: What’s the Difference? In Louisiana, a succession is classified as either testate or intestate depending on whether the decedent left a valid will. A testate succession occurs when the decedent executed a will that complies with Louisiana law, typically in the form of a notarial or olographic testament. In these cases, the decedent is able to direct how their property is distributed, name an executor, and potentially simplify the administration process. The court’s role is to probate the will, confirm the executor, and oversee the implementation of the decedent’s wishes. However, even in a testate succession, the will is subject to certain limitations, most notably Louisiana’s forced heirship rules, which protect certain heirs such as children under the age of 24 or those with permanent disabilities. An intestate succession occurs when there is no valid will, either because the decedent never executed one or because the will is invalid or revoked. In that situation, Louisiana’s intestacy statutes determine who inherits and in what proportions. These rules prioritize close family members, beginning with descendants, and can include a surviving spouse’s usufruct over community property. While intestacy provides a default framework, it often produces results that do not align with the decedent’s preferences, particularly in blended families or where the decedent had specific intentions about certain assets. Practically speaking, testate successions tend to offer more control and predictability, while intestate successions can involve more court oversight, uncertainty, and potential disputes among heirs. Even basic estate planning, such as executing a will and organizing your assets, can significantly reduce stress, cost, and uncertainty for your family after your death. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation regarding estate planning or successions, contact Johnston Burkhardt at johnston@snw.law or 504-313-4199.
