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Last Modified on Jun 02, 2026
Estate planning is important for everyone. Regardless of your level of wealth or your plans for what to do with it, the only way to maintain control over your assets is to create a valid estate plan that is enforceable under Louisiana law. The foundation of any estate plan starts with a last will and testament. It’s imperative that you understand Louisiana wills laws in order to make the smartest decisions regarding your wealth.
A will allows you to make important decisions about your money and other assets after your death. You can also determine what happens to remaining debt. Navigating a will case can be difficult, especially if you have a complex financial profile.
A Louisiana wills lawyer can help you understand your rights and options for forming your estate plan. It can be difficult to manage the legal details of a will on your own, whether it’s regarding your own will or one you are the executor of.
Either way, it’s wise to hire a wills lawyer from Christopher J. Bridges, Attorney at Law, to help you through your case. It’s also important to take time to understand your goals and objectives for the future and for when you’re no longer here.
Louisiana Will Laws
A will is a legal document that allows you to determine what is going to happen to your assets and debts when you die. It’s estimated that over half of adults in the United States believe that they’re going to leave debt behind when they die. Despite this fact, not many Americans have a valid estate plan in place.
According to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, the percentage of elderly heads of households with a will has been on the decline for decades. In 2018, the percentage of household heads over 70 with wills was 63%, a 9% drop from 1996.
A valid will lets you avoid challenges and arguments over estates when it comes time to divide assets. Without one in place, the court that probates your estate determines what happens to your assets and debts instead.
Under Louisiana’s intestacy laws, assets are distributed to eligible recipients based on a specific order or priority:
- Descendants, including children and grandchildren
- Parents, siblings, and their descendants
- Surviving spouse
- Grandparents
- Other distant relatives
There are different rules regarding marital property after a spouse’s death. Louisiana is a community property state, which means assets and debts acquired throughout a marriage belong to both spouses.
When one spouse dies, any community property technically goes to their descendants. That being said, the surviving spouse still has a right to use the property after their partner’s death.
FAQs
What Types of Wills Are Recognized in Louisiana?
The types of wills that are recognized in Louisiana are notarial, or notarized wills, and olographic, or handwritten wills. Notarial wills must be a physical document. It must be signed by the individual creating the document (testator) before a notary and witnesses. All parties must sign each page.
Olographic wills must be completely created by the testator, along with their signature. You cannot have another party draft any part of the document. These wills also require additional evidence.
How Do You Make a Will Legally Binding in Louisiana?
To make a will legally binding in Louisiana, you must first understand what type of will you are creating. Notarial wills and olographic wills have different requirements. Notarial wills require signatures from the testator, a notary, and witnesses.
Olographic wills are completely handwritten by the testator, including the date and signature. These types of wills can be simpler to create, but they are more difficult to validate at probate.
What Cannot Be Included in a Will in Louisiana?
What cannot be included in a will in Louisiana can depend on the individual’s situation. It’s possible to add any number of specific and unique clauses to your will. That said, there are certain items that cannot be added. For example, you cannot:
- Create prohibited substitutions
- Leave forced heirs out of a will
Contact an attorney for more information on restrictions for wills and estate plans.
What Is Louisiana’s Forced Heirship Law?
Louisiana’s forced heirship law allocates a portion of a decedent’s estate to their children regardless of instructions outlined in a will or other estate planning documents. Part of the estate must go to any children that are 23 years of age or younger.
The percentage of the estate that is reserved in this manner depends on the number of eligible heirs. The remaining portion of the estate can be divided however the decedent outlines in their estate plan.
Hire a Wills Lawyer in Louisiana to Help With Your Estate Planning Needs
Estate planning can be as basic or as specific as you make it. The more robust the estate plan, the more control you have over your assets and debts throughout the remainder of your life and beyond.
A thorough estate plan starts with a will. If you’re ready to start drafting yours, reach out to a Louisiana wills attorney you can trust. Christopher J. Bridges, Attorney at Law, has been representing Louisiana through complex estate planning cases for nearly 30 years.
When you choose our firm to represent you, you can rest assured that Attorney Christopher J. Bridges is personally involved in your case. Supported by a dedicated staff, our firm offers straightforward legal advice tailored to your unique situation.
We understand Louisiana wills law and can help you come up with a custom plan that works for your future. If you’re ready to learn more about how we can help with your case, our attorneys are here for you.
Come visit us at our office in Ascension Parish to discuss your case in more detail. We’re conveniently located between I-10 and US-61, making us an easy stop for our clients throughout Southeast Louisiana and beyond.
Call us to set up an appointment with a trusted attorney today. With an attorney on your side, you can focus on what matters without having to learn all of Louisiana’s estate planning laws.
