Linda S. Melancon
Attorney
Linda S. Melancon, the founder of Legacy Estate & Elder Law of Louisiana is an attorney practicing in the areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law, Medicaid and VA benefit’s planning, Special Needs Planning and Estate Administration (Successions and Trust Administration).
Linda graduated magna cum laude from Mercer University with a double major in business administration and history and then attended Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center where she graduated with her law degree in 1997.
She is recognized by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in estate planning and estate administration. She is also accredited by the VA to give advice regarding veterans’ benefits.
While in law school, Linda received the Order of the Coif award for graduating in the top 10% of her class and was a member of the Louisiana Law Review.
Also active in the community, Linda has served as a board member for the Ascension Parish Council on Aging and the ARC of East Ascension. She is also a member of the Baton Rouge Association of Women Attorneys and the Baton Rouge Aging Network. Linda also regularly presents educational seminars for the public, as well as professional groups, on the importance of proper planning.
Betty A. Raglin
Attorney
Betty A. Raglin is an attorney practicing in the areas of Taxation, Estate Planning, Elder Law, Estate Administration, Trust Law, Business Planning, and Civil Litigation. Betty is Board Certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization in the areas of Tax Law and Estate Planning and Administration.
Betty graduated from Lamar University with a Bachelor in Business Administration and then attended Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center where she graduated with her law degree in 2001. In 2002, Betty received her Master of Laws in Taxation from Southern Methodist University.
She is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and a co-author, beginning with 2010-2011 Supplement, of “Estate Planning in Louisiana” (Thomson West, 1991).
A natural speaker, Betty has presented on behalf of the law schools of Louisiana State University, Loyola University New Orleans, Southern University, and Tulane University. In addition, she is a former member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Chair of the Estate Planning Advisory Committee of the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, and former President of the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association.
Hailey E. Manint
Attorney
Hailey Manint is an attorney practicing in the areas of Estate Planning and Estate Administration. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from Louisiana State University in 2018 before pursuing her law degree from Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center. She graduated in the top 5% of her class and received her license to practice law in October of 2021.
Throughout her law school journey, Hailey demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership as an active member of the Public Interest Law Society. In her third year, she served as the President of the organization, showcasing her commitment to serving her community.
Driven by her passion for assisting others, she chose to focus her legal practice in an area of the law that that affects people in all stages of life. Hailey recognizes the significance of these areas of law, from estate planning to navigating the complexities of loss and bereavement.
Inspired by her grandfather, an esteemed attorney with his own practice in Baton Rouge, Hailey witnessed firsthand the transformative relationships he cultivated with his clients. This experience solidified her determination to pursue a legal career centered on making a positive difference in people’s lives.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Hailey finds joy in exploring new destinations through travel, discovering hidden treasures through thrifting and estate sale hunting, and nurturing her green thumb in the garden. Her diverse interests reflect her vibrant personality and commitment to embracing life’s adventures both inside and outside of the office.
Jennifer L. Hebert
Senior Paralegal
Jennifer joined the firm in 2015 and assists Attorney Linda Melancon in all areas of estate planning and administration, including VA and Medicaid. She received her certificate of paralegal studies from Baton Rouge College, is a commissioned notary, and has over 14 years of legal experience. Jennifer loves spending time with her two sons, the beach, weekend road trips, and attending festivals.
Kimberly G. Bedgood
Senior Paralegal
Kimberly is a dedicated and detail-oriented professional with a strong foundation in the legal field, backed by an AAS in Paralegal Studies. In her previous roles, she has honed her skills in compliance, case management, and legal documentation, making her an invaluable asset as a Senior Paralegal with Legacy Estate & Elder Law.
Prior to her current role, Kimberly served as a Paralegal and Case Manager at Field Law, LLC, where she managed large caseloads, drafted legal documents, conducted research, and provided invaluable support to the legal team. Her organizational abilities and enthusiasm for her work are evident in her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to meet deadlines, even when faced with a large workload and tight turnaround times.
Outside of her professional life, Kimberly is a passionate LSU Baseball fan and enjoys spending time on the river. She has a love for reading, gardening, and Pilates, which helps her stay balanced and refreshed.. She is also a proud dog mom to a nine-year-old long-haired Dachshund, who keeps her company during her down time.
Sara M. Bingham
Business Manager
As Business Manager, Sara enjoys keeping the firm running behind the scenes, a skill she honed during her time as an office manager at a small rural NPR station. Before that, she gained her first office experience alongside her mother, Linda, at this very law firm, answering phones and filing papers. Sara received her B.A. in Communications from LSU in 2013.
Her daily responsibilities include managing the firm’s finances, speaking with clients, and overseeing all processes and procedures to ensure everything runs smoothly. Sara prides herself on her ability to break down the big picture into manageable details, ensuring efficiency and organization. Her experience managing a radio station taught her how to wrangle large projects and many details and turn it into order, a skill she brings to her current role. One of her proudest achievements is helping the firm transition into the digital age, enhancing their ability to service clients far and wide.
Outside of work, Sara enjoys experimenting with new recipes she finds online, attending her book club and craft club, and spending quality time with her husband, Brad, and their three dogs: Pringle, Lincoln, and Christmas. She loves browsing local antique stores and binge-watching medical dramas on Netflix.
Looking to the future, Sara hopes to grow the firm’s reach across Louisiana, sharing the knowledge and expertise of their exceptional staff. She also dreams of one day owning a small hotel in the mountains, where her dogs can run free.
Darla D. Capello
Bookkeeper/Notary
Darla comes to Legacy with over 40 years bookkeeping experience under her belt in addition to holding her Notary Public license. She was a middle school math teacher for six years, and for a short time was a disc jockey at a local radio station. Outside of work, she enjoys crocheting, doing paint by number, and watching forensic shows and documentaries.