Gifted Attorney Plans Gift for the Future

When Pierre Livaudais was a young boy attending Folsom Elementary School, he had no idea that he would one day after law school return to settle down in western St. Tammany. Nor did he dream the small, rural region would develop into the municipality it is evolving into today.

After graduating from Tulane Law School in 1962, Livaudais opened his law practice, which has now been in existence for over 40 years. At 70, he still practices with no set timeline for retirement. He assists clients with estate planning on an almost daily basis and chose to leave a bequest to St. Tammany Hospital Foundation in his own will, making him a member of the Legacy of Caring Society. "As you become older I believe it is important to think about how to give back to the community and encourage others to do so, too," Livaudais said. "I personally think it is important to help finance and support our community hospital's future." He says it is a benefit to have a hospital, particularly such a good one with a good regional reputation.

"I remember when the movement was started to build a hospital here. When I grew up there were only a few physicians around and you had to go to New Orleans or Baton Rouge for healthcare. That was two hours either way because that was before the Causeway was built," he explained.

An expert on the subject of estate planning, Livaudais says that a formal estate plan may limit estate tax consequences. "When you give to a 501(c)3 organization, it is a tax-free donation for the donor. I can bequeath as much as I want with no taxes. The donation goes farther. However; if you were to give to an individual, you may be taxed with a gift tax. With a will, you can provide support for charitable causes that have had special meaning to you," he said. "Mr. Livaudais' bequest represents an unparalleled opportunity for the foundation to foster the growth and excellence at St. Tammany Parish Hospital," said Charley Strickland, STHF executive director. "It makes a direct impact on the future of healthcare in our community." A pillar of the community, Livaudais is a past president of the former Covington Chamber of Commerce (now the St. Tammany West Chamber), a former member of numerous civic boards, participated in the Indigent Defender Board system for St. Tammany and Washington parishes for over 25 years, and continues to support local youth in 4-H.

With no children of his own, Livaudais feels it is important to preserve the quality of the hospital for years to come, and it is only right to give back to a community that has been good to him. A bequest is an easy way for an individual to transfer ownership of specific assets to persons or charitable organizations upon death. A will is the document through which the transfer is accomplished. Your attorney can assist you in drawing up a will and using the appropriate language necessary to accomplish your wishes.

Bequests are a type of planned gift. They are gifts made now but are realized in the future by the charitable beneficiary. Other types of planned gifts are charitable gift annuities, insurance policies, and charitable remainder trusts. All planned gift donors to the foundation are recognized as members of the Legacy of Caring Society.

For more information about how you can become a member of the Legacy of Caring Society at St. Tammany Hospital Foundation, call Nicole Suhre, CFRE at 985-898-4171 or email nsuhre@stph.org. "My gift will have an impact on the community for years to come and it excites me to be a part of that future," Livaudais concluded.