April F. Jackson Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary

Seale & Ross, P.L.C. is pleased to announce April F. Jackson’s one year anniversary with the firm. Before joining Seale & Ross, Jackson received her Juris Doctor degree from Southern University Law School in Baton Rouge in 2016. Jackson’s practice is concentrated in the areas of family law, estate planning, child custody/visitation matters, child support, spousal support, civil restraining orders, paternity, protective orders, and …

Flood Damage — Tips and Helpful Information

Homeowners in south Louisiana experienced catastrophic flooding for the second time this year. While many flooded, not all face the same road to recovery. Flood victims range from those who have flood insurance to those who do not and those who rent, including business owners experiencing an interruption in business. Some have lost everything, while others lost very little. At …

5 Things To Do When The Flood Waters Recede

Flood Insurance Claim: 5 Things To Do When The Flood Waters Recede Many homes in Southeast Louisiana flooded. For some homeowners, it is the second major flood in just a few months. While helping clients with flood insurance claims from the March 2016 flood, we found that proper documentation and organization of the claim made a huge difference in the …

No Flood Insurance? FEMA May Be Able to Help

If you experienced flooding in the recent disaster, but do not have flood insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may help by providing federal disaster relief. On August 14, 2016, President Obama issued a disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana, designating East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa parishes as eligible for federal disaster assistance. Whether you …

1031 Exchange Deadlines Extended for Taxpayers Affected by August Floods in Louisiana

The IRS has released Bulletin LA-2016-20, which can be found at https://www.irs.gov/uac/tax-relief-for-victims-of-severe-storms-flooding-in-louisiana. The IRS has extended the 45 day identification period and 180 day exchange periods that fall on or after August 11, 2016. The extension also applies if the 45 day identification period expired prior to August 11, 2016, but the identified property was “substantially damaged” by the disaster. …

Drone Law in Louisiana

Legislation Drones on as UAS Usage Skyrockets The commercial drone industry is abuzz. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the agency that regulates unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), estimates that domestic drone sales will exceed $90 billion within the next decade. The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, an UAS industry group, projects drone sales will exceed $82 billion in their first …

Who Needs A Succession?

Clients often ask who needs a succession? The term “succession” is often used synonymously with the term “probate.” It is essentially the process of transferring the ownership from the deceased in the things he owns (“property”) to his heirs and legatees, after first paying the deceased’s creditors and the expenses of administering his estate. Unless the assets owned by the …

Intersection of Business and Politics

I grew up as the son of a small business owner, and I suppose that is one reason why I have so enjoyed representing mom and pop business owners during the 40 years I have been in private practice. I believe that it often takes more managerial ability to run a small business than a large one whose revenues and …

Five Hard Lessons We Can Learn from Tom Benson

As a Saints fan, I’ve suffered through the good, the bad and the ugly with our boys in the black and gold. And while we can’t do anything to avoid heartbreaking losses as sports fans, I would like to share some powerful lessons on the importance of planning to reduce the chances, and the expense and anguish, of losing control …

The Bifocalism of Business Leaders

I’ve been privileged to serve as corporate counsel to a number of remarkable business leaders (working with some for decades) whom I’ve watched grow in wisdom and ability as they progressed through their careers. Whether they were growing their enterprises in good times, or preserving them in harder times, I‘ve noticed one trait that differentiates the Leaders from the Also-rans. …