The practical reasons a Power of Attorney matters. Over the last several weeks, I have handled two interdiction cases involving families in terrible situations. I cannot tell their stories in a way that would identify them, and I would never try. What I can say is that both families loved someone whose condition had progressed far beyond ordinary forgetfulness, questionable judgment or the occasional decision to order seventeen decorative pillows from Facebook at two o’clock

A defendant receives ten years in prison. The judge has barely finished speaking before somebody whispers, “That means three and a half.” Another person says, “No, violent offenders do sixty-five percent.” Somebody’s aunt says, “He has priors, so he is habitual.” Then a man who attended absolutely none of the court proceedings announces that the defendant will be home in eighteen months because his cousin had the same charge. His cousin probably did not have the same charge.

Explaining Felony Plea Forms in Louisiana If you are pleading guilty to a felony in Lincoln or Union Parish, you are going to receive a stack of papers asking you to sign, date, initial, acknowledge, waive, certify, and swear that you understand several paragraphs written by people who apparently believe ordinary English is a gateway drug. These forms matter. They are not courthouse permission slips, and your signature is not merely proof that you successfully located a pen.

Every so often, a law enforcement officer sends me a picture of a plea offer and asks me what, exactly, the prosecutor is asking them to approve. The charge usually is not the confusing part. The officer knows the charge, knows the investigation, and probably knows considerably more about where the defendant was standing at 2:17 a.m. six months ago than I ever will. "Has law enforcement approved the plea agreement?" It is also important because during almost any felony plea,

Louisiana’s Habitual Offender Law is what happens when the State looks at a person’s new felony conviction, pulls out the person’s entire criminal history like a CVS receipt, and says, “Actually, we are not finished here.” It is not a separate crime. Nobody gets arrested for “being habitual.” It is a sentencing law that allows the district attorney to ask for a much larger sentence on the new felony because the person has qualifying prior felony convictions. You may also hear

There is a certain area of land near Haile Baptist Church that I have recently begun calling the Black Hole of Haile. That is not an official legal term. You will not find it in the Louisiana Civil Code, on the tax assessor’s website, or printed beneath anyone’s impressive courthouse portrait. It is simply the most accurate description I have found for a piece of North Louisiana where families have lived, houses have stood, children have been raised, and land has been treated

Most people do not think of Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat as part of their estate plan, which is bold considering some of us touch those apps more often than we touch our spouse, our Bible, our bank account, or the laundry we keep restarting because we are not emotionally prepared to fold it. We scroll in bed, in the bathroom, at red lights, in the school pickup line, and during conversations where we are nodding like we heard a damn word. Then we act shocked when somebody

A reverse mortgage is one of those things that sounds simple enough while everybody is alive and nobody is asking too many questions. The homeowner gets to use some of the equity in the home, there usually are not regular monthly mortgage payments, and the family quietly files the phrase “reverse mortgage” into the same mental drawer as Medicare paperwork, old insurance policies, and instruction manuals nobody has opened since 2004. Then the homeowner passes away, and suddenl

Self-defense is one of those legal concepts people think they understand until they see what it actually looks like inside a courtroom. Most people hear the phrase and think the question is simple: someone was threatened, someone defended themselves, and the case should be over. But self-defense is not a magic phrase, and it is not a blanket excuse for violence. It is a legal justification that depends on the facts of the moment, the force used, whether that force was reasona

Years Later, Someone Will Still Be Reading Your Report I have worked in enough different places in the criminal justice system to understand that most people only see one small piece of it. I have been a prosecutor. I am now a public defender. I have reviewed cases to determine whether the State had enough evidence to file charges, whether the evidence could be proved at trial, whether the evidence was legally obtained, and whether the record would survive the scrutiny that c

Don't Forget To Plan for Your Online Accounts, Too. Most people know they should think about the house, land, vehicles, bank accounts, and personal belongings when they make a will. Those are the things we usually think of first because they feel like traditional property. They are visible. They are familiar. They are the kinds of things families have been dealing with in successions for generations. But today, a lot of important information is not sitting in a filing cabinet

When a loved one passes away, families are often left trying to find important information for the succession. Years ago, that information may have been stored in a filing cabinet, a desk drawer, a safe, or a folder with bank statements and insurance papers. Important records may be inside an email account, iCloud account, Google Drive, Facebook account, online banking portal, payment app, cloud storage account, or cell phone that no one can unlock. This creates a difficult a

When someone is sentenced in Louisiana criminal court, families usually hear the number first. Five years. Ten years. Twenty years. That number matters, of course, but it does not tell the entire story. The words that come after the number can change the real meaning of the sentence just as much as the number itself. One phrase families hear often is “without benefits.” It may be said quickly during a plea or sentencing hearing, almost like everyone in the courtroom already k

After a loved one dies, families are often left with questions about property, assets, wills, heirs, and what happens next. This guide explains the Louisiana succession process in plain language, including when succession may be needed, what documents to gather, and how a spouse, children, or other family members may affect the estate.

When life throws unexpected situations our way, having a trusted person to help manage our affairs can bring peace of mind. That’s where a power of attorney form steps in. If you live in Louisiana or have ties to the state, understanding how these forms work is essential. They are more than just legal documents - they are tools that empower you to protect your interests and those you care about. What Is a Power of Attorney Form? A power of attorney (POA) form is a legal docum

Navigating legal matters can feel overwhelming. Whether you're managing a small business, caring for elderly parents, or stepping into new parenthood, having reliable legal support is essential. That’s why I’m excited to share something that has truly changed the way I connect with legal services: the hampton law firm mobile app. This app brings the law firm’s expertise right to your fingertips, making legal help accessible, simple, and personal. Exploring the Hampton Law App

Many families think a succession is just paperwork, but the Louisiana succession process plays a critical role in protecting property and heirs. From transferring real estate to resolving debts, completing a succession properly can prevent costly issues later. Understanding the process helps families move forward with clarity and confidence.

Planning for the unexpected is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. A Power of Attorney ensures that someone you trust can manage your financial and medical decisions if you are unable to do so. Learn why every Louisiana adult should have this essential document in place.

Navigating legal matters can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re managing your personal affairs, running a small business, or caring for elderly parents, legal paperwork often seems like a mountain to climb. But what if I told you there’s a way to make this process smoother, faster, and less stressful? That’s where a legal templates app comes in. These handy tools bring legal documents right to your fingertips, helping you handle important tasks with confidence and ease. Let’s

In today’s fast-paced world, managing legal matters can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re handling personal affairs, running a small business, or caring for elderly parents, legal issues often demand time and attention that we don’t always have. That’s why I’ve found that using law firm mobile services can be a game-changer. These services bring legal help right to your fingertips, making it easier to get the support you need without the usual stress. One app that stands out