Beau P. Sagona
Beau P. Sagona is recognized as a leader in his practice areas. He is board-certified as an Estate Planning and Administration Specialist by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. Courts recognize him as an expert on retirement plan issues. He has served as court-appointed special master in divorces as well as successions.
Mr. Sagona is one of the few attorneys in the state of Louisiana who extensively practices in the micro-niche area of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs). Mr. Sagona prepares QDROs and court orders dividing government retirement benefits, such as state, federal and military benefits. The complexity of this practice arises from having to satisfy the legal requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), as well the contractual requirements of employer and plan administrator guidelines and procedures. His practice not only involves assisting his clients, but also other attorneys, in the valuation and division of retirement benefits.
Mr. Sagona’s practice also includes advising clients regarding end of life matters. His estate planning work includes the preparation of wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. He also regularly assists clients after their loved ones have passed, advising clients regarding the administration of successions. On occasion, his practice involves litigating with creditors or other heirs.
After passing his bar examination, Mr. Sagona opened a solo law practice. Twelve years later, he began working as an associate at a small law firm across from the Jefferson Parish Courthouse. Since November 2007, he has been a member of The Derbes Law Firm, LLC. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Estate Planning and Administration Advisory Commission of the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. Beau is married to the former Gretchen Ann Grieshaber, with whom he has two sons, Daniel and Thomas.

Education
- Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, J.D., 1990
- Louisiana State University, B.S., 1987
Professional Certifications:
- Board Certified Estate Planning and Administration Specialist, Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization, 2005
- Louisiana Notary Public, 1990
Bar Admissions
- Louisiana State Bar Association, 1990
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, 1991
- United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1996
- United States District Court, Middle District of Louisiana, 2008
Organizations
- Hearing Committee Chair, Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, Louisiana Supreme Court
- Past Chair, Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Committee, Louisiana Supreme Court, 2015
- Past President, Jefferson Bar Association, 2008
- Volunteer Attorney, Pro Bono Project of New Orleans
- Member, Louisiana State Bar Association
- Member, Jefferson Bar Association
CLE Authored and Instructed:
- "Practical Tips for Partitioning Retirement Benefits," New Orleans Bar Association, August 2024
- “Shortcuts and Traps in Partitioning Retirement Benefits,” LSU 24th Annual Family Law Seminar, September 2020
- “Basics of Testamentary Trusts”; The Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board 2019 CLE Seminars (Shreveport • Lafayette • Baton Rouge • Alexandria • New Orleans)
- “Conventional Solutions for Mental Decline & Their Problems: Irrevocable Trusts, Revocable Trusts, POAs, and more…”; Jefferson (Parish) Bar Association 32nd Annual CLE By The Sea, April 2019
- “Medicaid: Basics, Planning, and Liens”; Jefferson (Parish) Bar Association 32nd Annual CLE By The Sea, April 2019
- “Military Retirement Benefit Issues,” LSU 22nd Annual Family Law Seminar, September 2018
- “Retirement Benefits and Their Division in Divorce,” LSU 21st Annual Family Law Seminar, September 2017
- “Division of Retirement Benefits in Divorce,” The Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board 2015 CLE Seminars (Shreveport • Lafayette • Baton Rouge • Alexandria • New Orleans)
- “Division of Retirement Benefits in Divorce,” New Orleans Bar Association, December 2013
- “Practice Tips in Estate Planning and Successions,” The Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board 2013 CLE Seminars (Lake Charles • Lafayette • Monroe • Shreveport • Baton Rouge • Hammond • Alexandria • New Orleans)
- “Characterization, Valuation and Division of Employment-Related Benefits in Louisiana”; Family Law Council of Community Property States 22nd Annual Symposium, April 2011
- “Preventing Critical Financial Mistakes During Divorces,” National Business Institute, June 11, 2008
- “The Probate Process From Start to Finish,” National Business Institute, March 17, 2008
- “Probate Process Start To Finish,” National Business Institute, September 13, 2007
- “Understanding and Drafting A QDRO.” LSU Law School Family Law Seminar, September 8, 2007, Baton Rouge Bar Association, March 15, 2007
- “QDROs: From The Suspicion That You Need One To The Sigh Of Relief Upon Its Qualification,” LSU Family Law Seminar, September 7, 2006
- “QDROs and Other Court Orders Assigning,” Retirement Benefits, LSU Family Law Seminar, September 11, 2004, Family Law Seminar, Southern University Law Center, December 6, 2003
- “QDROs: Some Assembly Required,” Covington Bar Association, November 21, 2003
- “QDRO 101,” Loyola School of Law, September 20, 2003
- “QDROs: A to Z,” Prime Time CLE Institute, LLC [Metairie], March 13, 2003, 29th Judicial District Bar Association [St. Charles Parish], November 13, 2002, 21st Judicial District Bar Association [Tangipahoa Parish], October 25, 2002
- “QDROs: What Has To Be In Them And What Ought To Be In Them,” Lafayette Parish Bar Association, Family Law Section, February 11, 2003, Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, December 30, 2002
- “Putting The Whistles & Bells In Your QDROs” Central Louisiana Pro Bono Project, December 6, 2002, Avoyelles Parish Bar Association, November 22, 2002, Acadia Parish Bar Association, November 14, 2002, Terrebonne Bar Association, October 17, 2002
Publications:
- QDRO Update,” Volume III, October 2005
- “QDRO Update,” Volume II, August 2004
- “QDRO Update,” Volume I, February 2003
- “The QDRO Chronicles,” Section News of the LSBA Solo and Small Firms Section, 2002
Significant or Reported Cases:
- Succession of Catchings, 22-460 (La. App. 5 Cir. 9/26/23); 370 So.3d 1251, writ denied, 23-1342 (La. 12/19/23), 375 So.3d 410.
- Davis v. Gravois, 125 So.3d 541 (La. App. 4 Cir. 2013)
- In re Succession of DiLeo, 90 So.3d 488 (La. App. 4 Cir. 2012)
- Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System (LASERS) v. McWilliams, 996 So.2d 1036 (La. 2008)
- Oreman vs. Oreman, 971 So.2d 1149 (La. App. 5 Cir. 2007)
- Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana vs. Gonzalez, 892 So.2d 41 (La. App. 5 Cir. 2004)
- The Retirement Committee, McDermott Incorporated v. Reggie Lynn Sasser, et al. 02-791 (U.S. District Court, Eastern District of La. 09/08/03)
Court Appointments and Qualification as Expert Witness:
- Court appointed special master in divorce and succession cases, 24th Judicial District Court, Jefferson Parish
- Court appointed expert to assist divorcing parties in valuing and dividing retirement benefits, 24th Judicial District Court, Jefferson Parish, and Civil District Court, Orleans Parish
- Qualified as expert in retirement systems and survivor benefits, 24th Judicial District Court, Jefferson Parish
- Qualified as expert in calculation of present value of retirement benefits, 24th Judicial District Court, Jefferson Parish
- Qualified as expert in division of U.S. military retirement system, 21st Judicial District Court, Tangipahoa Parish
Contact
| Direct Dial: | 504.207.0905 |
| Direct Fax | 504.832.0325 |
Practice Areas
- Wills(with or without a Trust)
- Powers of Attorney (Mandates)
- Acts of Donation
- Advance Declarations (Living Wills)
- Successions (with or without a will)
- Affidavits of Small Succession
- Succession litigation
- Irrevocable Trusts
- Revocable Trusts
- Special Needs Trusts
- Testamentary Trusts
- Trust termination
- Trust litigation
- Court orders dividing government plans
- Military Retired Pay Division Orders
- Retirement benefit arrearage calculations
- IRA Letters of Instruction
- Pension present value calculations
- Expert testimony on retirement and deferred compensation benefits
- Appeals to retirement plan administrators and government agencies, including the federal Merit System Protection Board
Interdictions