Business Details
10 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Elder Law & Estate Planning Attorneys in Shreveport
Gilsoul & Aronson is a dedicated law firm specializing in estate planning, elder law, Medicaid and VA benefits planning, and special needs advocacy. With over 40 years of combined experience, our attorneys, Joseph Gilsoul and Lee Aronson, provide personalized legal solutions tailored to each client's unique circumstances. We prioritize understanding our clients' families and circumstances to create customized plans that protect their well-being and preserve assets. Our practice emphasizes clear communication, ensuring clients fully understand their options to make informed decisions.We serve Shreveport, LA, and surrounding areas, offering compassionate guidance through complex legal processes. Our team includes seasoned professionals like Bridget Lyman, Client Care Coordinator, and Angela Rivers, Office Manager, who support our mission of client-centered service. We are committed to community education through seminars and publications, addressing critical issues in elder law and estate planning. Our firm's approach combines deep legal expertise with a genuine commitment to helping families navigate challenging life transitions.
Services
Estate Planning
Medicaid Planning
Special Needs Trusts
Probate Successions
VA Benefits Claims
Asset Protection
Guardianship Interdictions
Long-Term Care Planning
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- We offer over 40 years of combined experience in elder law and estate planning.
- Our attorneys customize legal plans to each client's unique family circumstances.
- Specialized expertise in Medicaid and VA benefits planning for long-term care.
- We provide comprehensive special needs planning to protect public benefits eligibility.
- Our team includes certified professionals with deep knowledge of Louisiana's legal code.
What people say
Go out of their way to help
Instrumental in helping my family
Genuinely caring human beings
No better attorney in this area
Peace of mind through planning
Services
Estate Planning
Our estate planning service creates customized legal frameworks to protect your assets and designate decision-makers during incapacity. We ensure compliance with Louisiana's unique Napoleonic Code while addressing individual family dynamics. Our approach combines tax-efficient strategies with clear communication to help clients make informed decisions about their legacy.
Medicaid Planning
We specialize in Medicaid eligibility strategies to protect assets while qualifying for nursing home benefits. Our attorneys navigate complex federal and state regulations to preserve clients' life savings. We provide clear guidance on spend-down requirements and asset protection techniques tailored to Louisiana residents facing long-term care needs.
Special Needs Trusts
Our special needs planning ensures disabled beneficiaries maintain public benefits while receiving inheritance. We create customized trusts that comply with Louisiana's forced heirship laws. Our attorneys coordinate with financial professionals to protect Medicaid and Social Security eligibility while providing for loved ones' future care requirements.
Probate Successions
We streamline Louisiana's succession process to transfer assets efficiently after death. Our firm handles all aspects of probate, from court filings to asset distribution. We leverage Louisiana's expedited procedures under the Napoleonic Code to minimize delays while ensuring proper legal execution of the deceased's wishes.
VA Benefits Claims
Our VA-accredited attorneys help veterans access non-service connected pension benefits for long-term care. We navigate complex eligibility requirements and application processes to secure financial assistance. Our team provides strategic planning to maximize benefits while protecting family assets under Louisiana law.
People
Joseph R. Gilsoul
Attorney & Founder
With over 40 years of legal experience, Joe Gilsoul specializes in estate planning and elder law. A former IRS agent and Vietnam veteran, he founded Gilsoul & Aronson in 2016 after 31 years at a mid-sized Shreveport firm. He holds accounting honors from the University of South Florida.
Lee Aronson
Elder Law Attorney
Lee Aronson brings 20+ years of elder law experience, focusing on special needs planning and Medicaid strategies. A Tulane Law graduate, he previously worked with Louisiana's Mental Health Advocacy Service and Legal Services of North Louisiana. He writes an award-winning legal column for The Best of Times.
Bridget Lyman
Client Care Coordinator
Bridget Lyman specializes in elder care coordination with a master's in gerontology from the University of South Florida. She manages client needs across home health, Medicaid planning, and dementia care. She serves on the Bridge Alzheimer's Resource Center board.
Angela Rivers
Office Manager
Angela Rivers oversees office operations with over a decade of management experience from finance and real estate industries. She has managed the firm's daily operations since 2017, ensuring smooth client service and administrative efficiency.
Tiffany Green
Legal Assistant
Tiffany Green supports client interactions with library service experience and local knowledge. A Shreveport native, she graduated from Bossier Parish Community College and brings public service skills to her role as the firm's first point of contact for clients.
Questions
What documents are essential for basic estate planning?
A comprehensive estate plan includes a will, durable power of attorney, healthcare directive, and possibly trusts. Our attorneys customize these documents to Louisiana's legal requirements and your family's specific needs.
How can Medicaid planning protect my assets?
Our Medicaid planning strategies help protect your life savings while qualifying for nursing home benefits. We implement legal techniques to meet eligibility requirements while preserving assets for your family's future.
What makes Louisiana's probate process unique?
Louisiana's Napoleonic Code allows faster succession processes compared to other states. Our attorneys leverage these unique procedures to efficiently transfer assets while maintaining full legal compliance with state-specific requirements.
How do special needs trusts work?
Special needs trusts allow inheritance for disabled beneficiaries without jeopardizing Medicaid or Social Security benefits. We structure these trusts to meet Louisiana's forced heirship laws while protecting your loved one's eligibility for essential programs.
What VA benefits are available for elderly veterans?
We help veterans access non-service connected pension benefits for long-term care. Our VA-accredited attorneys navigate complex eligibility criteria to secure financial assistance while protecting family assets under Louisiana law.
How do I start the estate planning process?
Begin with a consultation to discuss your family situation, assets, and goals. We'll explain options for protecting your legacy and guide you through creating customized legal documents that meet Louisiana's specific requirements.
