If you have found this article, chances are you live outside of Louisiana and need help with a Louisiana based Succession. Maybe you have a parent or sibling that died in Louisiana or owned real estate here and you need help wrapping up their final estate. Problem is you live a few states away and have zero contacts in the State of Louisiana.
We help individuals living in other states file various types of successions in Louisiana, sometimes without even having to step foot in the state. We understand how difficult it can be learning a family member has passed away and you are a few states away and unsure of where to turn to for help. You could spend a small fortune driving back and forth to lawyer’s offices across states, or you can speak with us about handling the succession over the phone and we can come up with a plan that will save you time and money in the long run.
There are a number of processes our Louisiana Succession and Estate Planning law firm uses to assist out of state clients handle their family members’ estates and successions. I’ll give you a quick run-down of how we do it:
- Initial Consultation. We set up an appointment to speak with you over the phone to get a better understanding of your situation. There are never “cookie-cutter” solutions to Louisiana successions, every scenario is different and unique. During this phone conference, we gather the appropriate information regarding your family member’s estate and formulate a plan for you to begin the process. We can even take payments over the phone or you can mail your payment.
- Determine whether there was a valid Louisiana Last Will and Testament. If there was a will, we will need to locate the original to submit to the court. If there was not a will, we will go over and explain Louisiana’s intestate law with you and advise you of your options.
- Draft Petitions, Verifications, Court Orders and Other Related Matters. There are numerous petitions and documents that must be submitted to the court to satisfy Louisiana succession laws.
- Locate and Describe Property and Real Estate. This part can be time consuming as we must describe and value the property of the estate. It can be especially difficult if you are unsure of what your family member owned at the time of his/her death, but we can walk you through the steps to locating them. If there was a valid Louisiana Last Will and Testament naming you the executor of the estate, we can petition the court to have you recognized as the executor and issue Letters of Independent Administration to assist you in locating various bank accounts and insurance policies that you may be entitled to.
- Mail Documents For You to Verify and Sign. We will mail through certified mail all documents related to the Louisiana succession. The verifications must be signed in front of a Notary Public, but you can find one in your area and have them execute it. Next, you will mail the originals back to our office to process.
- File with Proper District Court. The succession must be filed in the Parish where your family member was domiciled (lived) at the time of his/her death. If they did not live in Louisiana, but owned real estate in the state, then the succession will be filed in that Parish.
- Wait for Judge to Sign. Once we complete the succession paperwork and receive all signatures and file with the proper District Court, we just have to wait for the Judge assigned to the matter to sign and execute the documents.
- Close the Succession.
As you can see, a Louisiana succession is not an easy matter to complete. There are numerous steps and laws to follow. You do not want to miss a single step as it could prolong getting the Judgment of Possession signed and cost you more time and money. Being a few states away, this can cause more stress and anxiety than it has to.
If you are an out of state heir or just have questions regarding a Louisiana succession, please don’t hesitate to call our office. We’ve helped numerous out of state clients with successions all over the State of Louisiana and we would be happy to assist you as well.
Successions are Tough
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Attorney R. Jerome Andries
Louisiana Succession Attorney
(318) 269-5857
Jerome@AndriesLawFirm.com
Related Louisiana Succession Attorney Articles: Do I need to Hire a Probate Attorney?, How to Find out What Accounts a Deceased Individual Had, How Long Do I Have to File a Succession in Louisiana?, What Happens When a Spouse Dies Without a Will?
Disclaimer: This legal article is meant for informational purposes only. It is not to be used solely to make legal decisions. You should speak with an attorney at our law firm regarding your specific situation. Communication through this website does not form an attorney/client relationship.
