Category: Succession/Probate

Louisiana law sets no deadline for filing a succession petition, so a family can still file decades after a death. The clocks that do run are prescriptive periods on an heir's claim, and the shortest is two years to sue a good-faith purchaser of succession property, running from the judgment of possession. Louisiana sets no...

Many different life evens can trigger this question. Perhaps you suffered a recent illness or injury. Or maybe someone you know passed away and you see how their family is struggling to navigate the legal system that helps distribute the estate. No matter the reason for the question, it is an important one that requires...

Losing a parent brings overwhelming grief and sadness. The devastating loss can be complicated if your loved one dies without a will. While processing your sorrow, questions about inheritance, property and financial obligations can create additional stress. Louisiana’s process for distributing assets to heirs is called “succession” –  “probate” in other states. When a parent...

One of the main goals of estate planning is being able to pass down as much of the creator’s assets as possible to the beneficiaries. Some people want to do that as quickly as possible and with as little cost to the beneficiaries as possible. For some, this means trying to avoid having to go...

Dying without a will in Louisiana can leave your loved ones facing uncertainty and potential conflicts over your estate. Without clear instructions, Louisiana directs how to distribute your assets through intestate succession. This lack of planning can lead to unintended consequences. Your property may not go to the people you would have chosen, and the...

Individuals in Louisiana running small successful businesses or professional practices need to think carefully about the future. Typically, they need to engage in succession planning to help preserve the company for their loved ones or for the protection of their employees. For people in Louisiana, the term succession planning may be confusing at first. Succession...

Those who serve as succession representatives take on a largely thankless role either in memory of a deceased loved one or to support the survivors left behind when an individual dies. Succession court proceedings involve presenting any testamentary documents drafted by the deceased, reporting information about the resources to the courts, notifying their creditors and...

The succession process in Louisiana is often a lengthy one. It can take months or even more than a year to fulfill all of the responsibilities of a succession representative. They must communicate with the succession courts, creditors and beneficiaries of the estate while also securing, liquidating and allocating estate resources in accordance with the...

One of the reasons people start a family business is to create a legacy for future generations. However, much of that legacy depends on how well you plan for your company’s continuation after you are gone. You don’t want your hard work to die with you, which is why succession planning is so important. What...

The succession process in Louisiana is often very lengthy. It can take months in most cases, and sometimes beneficiaries must wait more than a year before they can receive their inheritance. People tasked with overseeing the succession process have to file paperwork with the Louisiana courts, send notice out to parties with an interest in...

When someone takes the time to create an estate plan, they likely expect that their family members will abide by their final wishes. However, a significant number of estates in Louisiana end up litigated in court. Succession litigation involves someone asking the courts to intervene because of a perceived issue with their estate. Obviously, there...

Handling succession court when your parents die is a big responsibility. They may have specifically named you in their estate planning documents as the person they wanted to settle their affairs, or you may have assumed the role through the courts. In either scenario, it will be your responsibility to settle their affairs and distribute...