How to Avoid a Complicated Succession in Louisiana

Succession—the legal process of transferring a person’s assets after death—is often misunderstood, delayed, or completely avoided until it becomes a problem. In Louisiana, succession can be straightforward… or painfully complex. The difference? Planning ahead.

Here’s how to avoid a costly, time-consuming succession process—and make life easier for the people you leave behind.

What Is Succession?

Succession is Louisiana’s version of probate. It’s the process of:

• Identifying the deceased person’s heirs

  
  

• Settling debts

  
  

• Distributing assets

  
  

• Legally transferring property

If you die with a will, your estate is called a testate succession. Without one, it’s called intestate. Either way, succession must be handled through the courts.

What Makes a Succession “Complicated”?

Succession becomes complex when:

• No will exists

  
  

• There are multiple heirs or blended families

  
  

• Property was never transferred properly (e.g., through inheritance or donation)

  
  

• Real estate is co-owned and some owners are deceased or missing

  
  

• Successions were skipped for prior generations

  
  

• There are debts, liens, or judgments tied to the estate

  
  

In short: every loose end increases the chance of delays, disputes, and court involvement.

How to Simplify the Process

1. Make a Valid Will

A legally executed will allows you to:

• Name your heirs

  
  

• Appoint an executor

  
  

• Avoid confusion and legal fights

Wills should be updated as your life and assets change—especially after marriage, divorce, or the purchase of property.

2. Transfer Property While You’re Alive (When Appropriate)

Consider:

• Donations (Louisiana’s version of gifting property)

  
  

• Adding a co-owner with survivorship rights

  
  

• Trusts for long-term or multi-generational planning

This can help assets pass outside of succession entirely.

3. Keep Property Records Up to Date

If you’ve inherited property, make sure:

• It was properly transferred into your name

  
  

• Previous successions were completed

  
  

• Ownership reflects your current situation (not long-deceased relatives)

Many “complicated successions” come from incomplete paperwork or skipped generations.

4. Work With an Attorney

DIY estate planning often creates more confusion than clarity. An experienced attorney can:

• Draft a legally valid will

  
  

• Review your title and succession history

  
  

• Recommend strategies to simplify the legal process for your heirs

  
  

Final Thought

You can’t control everything, but you can control the mess you leave behind. A little planning now can save your loved ones months of legal delays and thousands in court costs later.

Need help reviewing your estate or handling an unresolved succession? At Title Stream, our attorneys work with individuals and families to make sure their property—and their wishes—are handled properly.

Let me know if you'd like a downloadable “Succession Simplifier Checklist” to pair with this post. Up next: What Happens to Real Estate If You Die Without a Will?