Louisiana Successions: Your Questions Answered

Surviving the death of a loved one is a distressing, painful experience.   Added to this already stressful time is the matter of sorting out Louisiana’s succession (or estate planning) laws, which can be a little confusing:

“What happens if there’s a will?”  “What happens if there’s not a will?”

Or perhaps there is no immediate need – like losing a loved one – you just want to put in place a solid succession plan.

What ever the reason is, the Gertler Law Firm has 30+ years representing clients just like you.   We definitely can provide you with the answers you need.

Successions: Testate versus Intestate (and what that even means)

Are there different types of successions in Louisiana?   There are two kinds of successions in Louisiana.   A testate succession is when you have a will in place, and an intestate succession is when you do not have a will in place.   Let us give you a little more detail…

• Testate Successions
  If a will has been drafted, then Louisiana’s order of succession rules don’t apply. This means that assets are divided however your loved one has requested.

 

• Intestate Successions
  Without a will, property and assets are divided according to Louisiana’s law of intestate successions, which specifies the order of beneficiaries. Property is first divided among immediate family members. Since Louisiana is a community property state, if there is no will, a spouse is only guaranteed to inherit from the community property, and not the separate property and assets acquired before marriage. Under Louisiana’s order of succession laws, siblings, grandparents, nephews, nieces, or other relatives could become heirs to an estate if there are no immediate family members.

 

The Gertler Law Firm:  Your Advocate During This Difficult Time

When you are in the middle of grieving your loved one’s death, you do not want to deal with legal hassles over the estate.   That is why we wanted to explain to you what happens when you do not have one.

Please call us today.   We will help you get the wishes and affairs of your loved one in proper order.

Let us be your Louisiana succession confidantes and legal experts.   For a free consultation, call us today 504-581-6411 or 1-877-581-6411.