You shouldn’t have the added stress of a succession to worry about. I can help. It is my great pleasure to ease your burden. I hope you will allow us to navigate all the legalities of transferring your beloved’s assets. I believe that the bereaved deserve their time to grieve and heal from loss, not endure the burden of legal issues associated with settling estates and inheritance.
Alexandria, Louisiana
Successions Attorney
Losing a loved one is tragic and devastating. I offer my deepest condolences. I pray for your comfort and healing through these difficult times.
We used Davey to handle some family law issues in Allen Parish because we live out of state. He handled the cases very well. He kept us informed through the whole process and gave us very sound advise in regards to our situations.
~ Jasmine
How a Succession Lawyer Can Help
As Louisiana’s laws are currently written, the only way to transfer ownership of immovable property (house and/or land) is through a succession. A Petition for Possession must be filed, with various supporting documents, to produce a Judgment of Possession. The JoP is what creates a valid title transfer to the heirs. The procedure is complicated. A mistake could create invalid title. Making sure all of the paperwork is processed properly is the job of a skilled attorney.
If the deceased had a Last Will and Testament, it must be probated. That simply means the Court recognizes the authenticity of the will and processes its wishes. if the deceased did not leave a will, then we have to apply the inheritance laws of Louisiana. There is a hierarchy of heirs to whom property will devolve in the specified order.
A successions attorney can assist with the following:
- Drafting the necessary paperwork
- Filing paperwork
- Managing court proceedings
- Identifying and valuing the deceased’s assets
- Transferring titles to heirs
- Distributing assets in accordance with wills
Working with an attorney after a family member’s passing can greatly diminish stress and suffering. We work diligently for my clients to ensure that they can focus on what matters most: celebrating the life of those they loved and healing from grief. We take my clients’ bereavement very seriously, fully understanding that losing a loved one is a traumatic and life-altering event.
Have a question?
Have a few common questions you need answered immediately? Be sure to visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for some answers pertaining to cost and availability of The Jones Law Partners. If you’d like to know how much it will cost to consult or retain them for your family, traffic, or injury cases, please visit our FAQs or contact us immediately. Don’t see a question you need answered? Send us a message below.
Connect with an Alexandria Succession Attorney Today
Our delicate approach to managing successions can be of great comfort to clients. We understand that the distressing nature of losing a loved one and the legal complexities that arise with distributing assets after a family member passes. As native Alexandrian’s, our mission is to serve the community of Central Louisiana with excellence and empathy.
I recommend scheduling a consultation to discuss your case.
If you have questions about successions, call the Jones Law Office at (318) 442-1515.
Successions Attorney Cost:
Most lawyers do not disclose their pricing. This means a client ends up receiving bill after bill from their lawyer and no way to know how much a case will cost in the end. We give full disclosure up front so you can budget accordingly. There are no hidden fees in my office.
Successions:
- Uncontested Succession $3,500 – $5,000
- Last Will and Testament $200 – $500
- Power of Attorney $200
- Medical Directive $200
The fees above do not include expenses outside of our office, such as court costs and property appraisals. Those expenses typically range from $400 to $1,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a succession in Louisiana?
A succession is the legal process used to transfer a deceased person’s property and assets to their heirs or beneficiaries. This process typically involves identifying the assets in the estate, addressing any debts or obligations, and distributing the remaining property according to a valid will or Louisiana law if no will exists.
2. When is a succession required in Louisiana?
A succession is usually required when a person dies owning property that must be legally transferred to heirs. This may include homes, land, bank accounts, vehicles, or other valuable assets. The process ensures that ownership is properly transferred and that the estate is handled according to Louisiana law.
3. What happens if someone dies without a will in Louisiana?
If someone dies without a valid will, their estate is handled through what is called an intestate succession. In this situation, Louisiana law determines how the deceased person’s property is distributed among surviving relatives, such as spouses, children, parents, or other family members.
4. What is the difference between testate and intestate succession?
A testate succession occurs when the person who passed away left a valid will that explains how their property should be distributed. An intestate succession occurs when there is no valid will, and the estate must be distributed according to Louisiana inheritance laws.
5. How long does a succession take in Louisiana?
The length of a succession can vary depending on the size and complexity of the estate. Some successions may be completed relatively quickly if the estate is small and the heirs agree on the distribution of property. More complex estates or disputes between heirs can take longer to resolve.
6. What assets are included in a succession?
Assets that may be included in a succession can include real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, investments, and personal belongings owned by the deceased. The estate may also include debts or financial obligations that must be addressed before the remaining property is distributed to heirs.
7. Who manages the succession process?
A succession may be managed by an executor named in the will or by an administrator appointed by the court if no executor was named. This person is responsible for identifying the estate’s assets, addressing debts, and ensuring the remaining property is distributed according to the will or Louisiana law.
8. Do all estates have to go through succession in Louisiana?
Not every estate requires a full succession proceeding. In some cases, smaller estates may qualify for simplified procedures depending on the value of the property and the circumstances involved. However, many estates still require a legal process to transfer ownership of property.
9. What happens during the succession process?
During a succession, the estate is reviewed and the court confirms who is legally entitled to inherit the deceased person’s property. This process may involve filing legal documents, identifying heirs, paying debts, and transferring ownership of assets to the appropriate beneficiaries.
10. What is the role of an executor in a Louisiana succession?
An executor is the person responsible for carrying out the instructions in a will and managing the succession process. This may include gathering information about the estate’s assets, handling financial obligations, and helping ensure that property is distributed to the appropriate heirs or beneficiaries.
