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Estate planning in New Orleans, LA
Louisiana is the only US state with civil-law inheritance — forced heirship rules can override your will.
Why this matters in New Orleans
The local angle
Louisiana is unique. It uses civil-law (Napoleonic Code) inheritance rules, not common-law. Forced heirship requires that children under 24 (or any age if disabled) receive a portion of the estate — you cannot fully disinherit them. The 'usufruct' concept (life-estate-like rights) is also unique.
Local nuance
Louisiana's succession process replaces what other states call probate. It includes both 'testate' (with a will) and 'intestate' (no will) procedures. Orleans Parish handles many cases involving generational New Orleans property.
Top concerns for New Orleans families
- Louisiana forced heirship rules
- Civil-law succession process
- Usufruct rights for surviving spouses
- Generational property + heirship affidavits
Louisiana state law
At a glance
New Orleans estate work is governed by Louisiana state law. Here's what every family should know.
$2,500–$5,000 typical
Small succession by affidavit (La. Civ. Code Ann. §3431)
No inheritance tax
Spousal rights
Community property: surviving spouse owns 50% of community. Forced heirship for some descendants.
Common pitfalls
- Louisiana succession law differs FUNDAMENTALLY from other states — civil law tradition
- Forced heirship: cannot completely disinherit certain children (under 23 or disabled)
- Out-of-state residents owning LA property face complex ancillary procedure
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Also serving
Cities we cover
New York, NY
5 boroughs, 62 counties, one Surrogate's Court system — and family estate work that often crosses jurisdictions.
Los Angeles, CA
California Probate Court is statutory-fee — and inherited Prop-13-protected homes are the family-fight epicenter.
Chicago, IL
Illinois has a $4M state estate tax exemption — the lowest of any state — meaning more Chicago families face state estate tax.
Houston, TX
Independent administration makes Texas probate fast and cheap — but community property rules trip up blended families.