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When life feels overwhelming
Order
When life feels overwhelming
Louisiana handles estates differently from every other state. They call it 'succession,' not probate, and it runs through District Court under a unique legal system rooted in French civil law. Community property rules apply, and forced heirship rules protect certain children regardless of what the will says.
Content updated: July 2026
State-specific rules that affect how an estate is handled here.
Louisiana calls its estate process 'succession,' governed by its unique civil law system. Simple successions can often be handled without court involvement; more complex ones require a District Court filing.
Louisiana is a community property state. Property acquired during the marriage under the community regime is generally jointly owned by both spouses — but separate property and donations received by one spouse remain that spouse's alone. The distinction significantly affects how assets are distributed.
Louisiana's forced heirship rules protect certain children. If a child is under 24 at the time of death, or permanently incapacitated, they have a legal right to a 'forced portion' of the estate. The will cannot completely exclude them.
Louisiana has its own income tax. A final state return must be filed. If the deceased was a state employee (LASERS) or teacher (TRSL), survivor benefits need to be claimed separately.
These are just a few of the Louisiana-specific tasks Order surfaces automatically when you select your state.
Louisiana calls its estate process 'succession' — governed by civil law, not common law. Simple successions may not require court involvement; complex ones require a District Court filing in the parish where the deceased lived.
Louisiana is the only state with forced heirship: children under 24, or any permanently incapacitated child, cannot be disinherited — they receive a fixed share regardless of what the will says.
Property acquired during the marriage under the community regime is generally jointly owned — but separate property and donations received by one spouse remain separate. Commingling funds can quietly shift the character of assets.
Plus dozens more tasks across all 8 categories: funeral arrangements, digital accounts, dependents, and more.
Deeper reading
Probate rules vary significantly by state. Our full guide explains the process, timelines, and how to avoid common delays in Louisiana.
Military families in Louisiana
Louisiana-specific
These tasks appear automatically in your checklist when you select Louisiana as your state.
File the succession in the district court of the parish of domicile.
Louisiana has forced heirship rules for children under 24 or permanently incapable
Submit title transfer to Office of Motor Vehicles
