Prairieville Probate Lawyer

Highly Rated Prairieville Probate Attorney

The loss of a loved one is complicated enough without dealing with the legal logistics of their estate. Unfortunately, most estates in Louisiana must go through probate, or succession, before assets can be distributed to the rightful heirs and beneficiaries. A Prairieville probate lawyer can work through these nuances.

If you’re ready to discuss your case in more detail with a legal professional you can trust, look no further than our Prairieville successions lawyers at Rowe & Manning Law Firm LLC. Our firm has been representing individuals and families throughout Ascension Parish and beyond since 2000. We’re comfortable navigating probate cases in and out of the courtroom.

Navigating a Probate Case in Prairieville, LA

The process of validating a will and administering an estate is often known as probate. In Louisiana, the official legal term is succession.

The succession process can be expensive and time-consuming, especially for larger, more complicated estates. You can expect to handle matters through the 23rd Judicial District Court. Standard succession typically involves:

• Submitting paperwork with the court
• Verifying the will
• Inventorying assets and debts
• Paying final debts to creditors
• Securing official judgment from a judge

For smaller estates or estates belonging to a decedent who passed a long enough time ago, you can file a small succession affidavit directly with the Clerk of Court in Ascension Parish instead. This process is typically faster and easier. Completing a small succession case typically involves:

• Listing assets and debts
• Locating the will if it exists
• Submitting a death certificate
• Drafting, signing, and notarizing the affidavit
• Presenting the document directly to relevant interested parties

Louisiana Intestate Succession Laws

With an estate plan in place, you can make important decisions about what happens to your property after your death. Otherwise, the state gets to decide what happens to everything you’ve ever owned. Louisiana’s intestate succession laws dictate what happens to a decedent’s estate if they didn’t have a will.

32% of American adults have a will. This means that the majority of people do not have a solid plan for what happens to their estate after they die, which leaves the court to appoint an administrator and settle the estate for them.

The court follows a strict order of priority for who receives assets from their estate in these situations, starting with their children and descendants. Surviving spouses also retain the right to use shared property. A Prairieville successions lawyer can explain all the details of Louisiana probate laws, so you can protect you and your family’s futures.

Why Hire a Prairieville Successions Lawyer?

If you’re dealing with a succession case in Louisiana, it’s highly recommended that you hire a probate lawyer. They can help you understand your rights and legal options for administering a loved one’s estate. Our team at Rowe & Manning Law Firm LLC has over 25+ years of experience navigating Louisiana’s complex probate laws.

We can help you work through any challenges you may be facing throughout the estate administration process. We want to help you focus on honoring your lost loved one instead of getting caught up in the legal details of a probate case.

As a local firm, we’re familiar with Louisiana succession laws and how they can affect families in a number of different situations. We go above and beyond to take care of our clients. Our team even works with churches and volunteer organizations to continue helping our community in any way we can inside and out of the courtroom.

FAQs

What Is the Difference Between Probate and Succession Under Louisiana Law?

There technically is no real difference between probate and succession under Louisiana law. What many other states call the probate process is called succession in Louisiana. It simply refers to the process of validating the decedent’s Will.

Some people consider probate to be the process of validating the will specifically, while others use the word to describe the entire estate administration process. Either way, estate administration is legally referred to as succession under Louisiana law.

How Do I Avoid Probate in Prairieville?

To avoid probate in Prairieville, it depends on the size and complexity of your estate. Small estates under $125,000 or that belong to someone deceased for at least 20 years can be handled through a small succession affidavit. This removes the requirement of going through traditional succession.

It’s also possible to transfer assets directly to their new owners if they have rights of survivorship, or if you place them in a living trust since trust assets can bypass the succession process entirely.

What Happens if a Decedent in Prairieville Didn’t Have a Valid Will When They Died?

If a decedent in Prairieville didn’t have a valid will when they died, the estate is administered under Louisiana’s intestate succession laws. Without clear wishes about where the decedent wanted their property to go, the court follows a strict order or priority for who is eligible to receive assets from the estate.

The surviving spouse has a right to shared property and may retain some control over assets inherited by their children if they are still minors, though the rules change depending on whether the property was owned jointly or separately.

How Long Does Succession Typically Take in Prairieville?

How long succession typically takes in Prairieville can vary depending on the complexity of the estate and whether or not any disputes arise throughout the estate administration process. It’s typically known for being a time-consuming process.

Succession can take anywhere from six to nine months, though the exact time is going to depend on the details of the case. It’s recommended that you hire a probate lawyer to help you keep things on track throughout a succession case.

Hire a Probate Lawyer in Prairieville to Help With Your Succession Case Today

Losing a loved one is hard enough on its own. Navigating the logistics of estate administration can feel impossible in the face of your loss, which is why it’s helpful to lean on a trusted Prairieville successions lawyer for support. Our team at Rowe & Manning Law Firm LLC brings decades of estate planning law experience that we can leverage to help you navigate your probate case with as little stress as possible.

If you’re ready to learn more about your case, come and visit us at our office near you. We’re conveniently located near the I-10 and I-12 interchange to reach our clients throughout southeastern Louisiana and beyond. Call us to schedule a consultation with a trusted attorney today.