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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Free · general informationLouisiana

Small successions in Louisiana

Where Louisiana law lets a smaller estate be settled without full probate, these are the official words on how: who may use the route, what it covers and what the paperwork must say. Whether a particular estate fits is for the court, the bank or company holding the asset, or an attorney in Louisiana; nothing on this page decides it.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 24, 2026

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Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

What counts as a small succession: the value limit for someone domiciled in Louisiana, and for someone domiciled elsewhere

(1) The succession of a person who died domiciled in Louisiana and who died leaving property with a gross value of two hundred thousand dollars or less valued as of the date of death.

(2) The ancillary succession of a person who died domiciled outside of Louisiana and who died leaving property in Louisiana with a gross value of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars or less valued as of the date of death.

Louisiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · La. C.C.P. art. 3421

When a small succession need not be opened in court

It shall not be necessary to open judicially the small succession of any of the following persons:

(1) A person domiciled in Louisiana who died intestate.

(2) A person domiciled in Louisiana who died testate leaving no immovable property in Louisiana, if the surviving spouse, all persons who would inherit under the testament, and all other persons who would inherit in the absence of a testament agree to waive probate of the testament.

Louisiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · La. C.C.P. art. 3431(A)

The affidavit when there is no testament: who signs, and the notice to heirs who do not

at least two persons, including the surviving spouse, if any, and one or more heirs of the deceased, may execute one or more multiple originals of an affidavit, duly sworn before any officer or person authorized to administer oaths

If the deceased had no surviving spouse, the affidavit shall be signed by at least two heirs.

(b) Was given thirty days' notice by United States mail of the affiants' intent to execute an affidavit for small succession and did not object.

Louisiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · La. C.C.P. art. 3432(A), (A)(4)(b), (B)

The affidavit when there is a testament: who signs, the affirmation about immovable property, and the copy of the testament attached

all of the heirs and legatees of the deceased, including the surviving spouse, if any, may execute one or more multiple originals of an affidavit

an affirmation that the deceased died owning no immovable property in Louisiana.

(8) An attachment consisting of a copy of the testament.

Louisiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · La. C.C.P. art. 3432.1(A)

What the affidavit authorizes, and recording it where immovable property lies

shall be full and sufficient authority for the payment of any money or the delivery of any property of the deceased described in the affidavit to the heirs or legatees of the deceased

shall be recorded in the conveyance records of the parish where any immovable property described in the affidavit is situated.

Louisiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · La. C.C.P. art. 3434(A), (C)(1)

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

(1) The succession of a person who died domiciled in Louisiana and who died leaving property with a gross value of two hundred thousand dollars or less valued as of the date of death.

(2) The ancillary succession of a person who died domiciled outside of Louisiana and who died leaving property in Louisiana with a gross value of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars or less valued as of the date of death.

Louisiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · La. C.C.P. art. 3421

SUCCESSIONS: Provides relative to small successions

Effective date: 08/01/2026.

Louisiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Acts 2026, No. 293 (HB 215)

SUCCESSIONS: Provides relative to small successions

Effective date: 08/01/2026.

Louisiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Acts 2026, No. 293 (HB 215)

It shall not be necessary to open judicially the small succession of any of the following persons:

(1) A person domiciled in Louisiana who died intestate.

(2) A person domiciled in Louisiana who died testate leaving no immovable property in Louisiana, if the surviving spouse, all persons who would inherit under the testament, and all other persons who would inherit in the absence of a testament agree to waive probate of the testament.

Louisiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · La. C.C.P. art. 3431(A)

at least two persons, including the surviving spouse, if any, and one or more heirs of the deceased, may execute one or more multiple originals of an affidavit, duly sworn before any officer or person authorized to administer oaths

If the deceased had no surviving spouse, the affidavit shall be signed by at least two heirs.

(b) Was given thirty days' notice by United States mail of the affiants' intent to execute an affidavit for small succession and did not object.

Louisiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · La. C.C.P. art. 3432(A), (A)(4)(b), (B)

all of the heirs and legatees of the deceased, including the surviving spouse, if any, may execute one or more multiple originals of an affidavit

an affirmation that the deceased died owning no immovable property in Louisiana.

(8) An attachment consisting of a copy of the testament.

Louisiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · La. C.C.P. art. 3432.1(A)

all of the heirs and legatees of the deceased, including the surviving spouse, if any, may execute one or more multiple originals of an affidavit

an affirmation that the deceased died owning no immovable property in Louisiana.

(8) An attachment consisting of a copy of the testament.

Louisiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · La. C.C.P. art. 3432.1(A)

It shall not be necessary to open judicially the small succession of any of the following persons:

(1) A person domiciled in Louisiana who died intestate.

(2) A person domiciled in Louisiana who died testate leaving no immovable property in Louisiana, if the surviving spouse, all persons who would inherit under the testament, and all other persons who would inherit in the absence of a testament agree to waive probate of the testament.

Louisiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · La. C.C.P. art. 3431(A)

shall be full and sufficient authority for the payment of any money or the delivery of any property of the deceased described in the affidavit to the heirs or legatees of the deceased

shall be recorded in the conveyance records of the parish where any immovable property described in the affidavit is situated.

Louisiana · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · La. C.C.P. art. 3434(A), (C)(1)

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