In Louisiana, the legal process of transferring property ownership after death is called succession. However, while succession ensures property is transferred to the rightful heirs, it is not always necessary in Louisiana. In the below post, we will walk you through everything you need to know about probate (succession) in Louisiana.
What Is Succession?
In Louisiana, the legal process of settling a deceased person’s estate by validating their Last Will and Testament, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets to heirs is known as probate or succession. Although the process can be complex, it can ensure that all assets are collected and given to the correct individuals.
What Does Succession in Louisiana Involve?
Typically, in Louisiana, the process of succession involves several steps:
- Reaching out to the court
- Appointing a personal representative
- Submitting a Will (if one exists)
- Taking inventory of everything and submitting a valuation of all the assets
- Having the court and the beneficiaries approve the inventory
- Distributing the assets and funds to the beneficiaries
The Personal Representative
The estate’s personal representative will also be responsible for the following tasks:
- Submitting the death certificate
- Determining if there are probate assets
- Finding these assets
- Appraising these assets
- Notifying creditors
- Paying taxes on behalf of the estate
- Communicating with the other beneficiaries
However, if you want further details about the role of a personal representative or how succession in Louisiana works, consider speaking with an experienced Louisiana estate planning attorney. These legal professionals can answer all your specific questions and get you the information you need.
When Is Succession Appropriate in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, succession is not always necessary. In fact, in most cases, succession will depend on what assets a person owned before they passed away and how these assets were titled. For instance, if an estate is worth more than $125,000, it will go through succession, even if the decedent had a Will. However, it is important to point out that the value of assets is not the same thing as the value of an estate.
In addition, succession may also need to happen when:
- There are issues with the Will
- The assets are complex
- There are arguments about how to divide the assets
- The beneficiary is still a minor
- Real estate is involved
If you want to learn more about succession and when it is needed, contact a skilled Louisiana estate planning attorney. These dedicated layers can help you better understand this process, determine if succession is required in your situation, and advise you on what your legal options are.
Contact Losavio & DeJean, LLC, Today and Learn More About Louisiana’s Probate Process
Succession can be a complex, expensive, and daunting process. However, you do not have to take it on alone. At Losavio & DeJean, LLC, our legal team has been providing compassionate, dedicated, and empathetic legal counsel for years. When you work with our firm, we make sure that your needs come first.
Contact us today or call us at 844.977.4611 to speak with a member of our team and get the answers you require