Why Choose Field Law

A Simpler Way to Complete a Louisiana Succession

Clear Guidance, Remote Convenience and a Team Focused on Louisiana Estate Law

A Louisiana succession does not have to take over your life. Field Law uses a remote-first process to reduce travel, paperwork and unnecessary delays.

Most clients can consult with us, send information and review documents from home. This approach works especially well for heirs who live outside Louisiana. If your case requires an original document, in-person signature or court appearance, we will explain that requirement early.

Start with a free consultation. Call 225-341-5270 or complete our secure online intake form.

Why Families Choose Field Law for Louisiana Successions

Field Law focuses on Louisiana estate planning, successions and succession disputes. Our team understands Louisiana’s unique laws and the procedures used by courts across the state.

When you work with us, you can expect:

• A free initial consultation by telephone or video
• A remote-first process designed to reduce travel
• A secure online portal for documents and messages
• Electronic signatures when Louisiana law permits them
• Clear explanations without unnecessary legal jargon
• Flat-fee quotes for many uncontested successions
• Representation for heirs and families living outside Louisiana
• Help with contested successions, litigation and related appeals

What Is a Louisiana Succession?

A succession is the legal process used to settle a deceased person’s estate in Louisiana. Other states often call this process probate.

The succession identifies the proper heirs or legatees and addresses the estate’s property and debts. It may also place an executor or administrator in charge of the estate. The court ultimately signs a judgment that recognizes ownership of the inherited property.

If the person left a valid Will, the estate is called testate. If there is no valid Will, Louisiana intestacy law determines who inherits.

Can a Louisiana Succession Be Handled Remotely?

Many uncontested successions can be handled almost entirely from home. Clients often meet with us by telephone or video. They can also upload records, review drafts and communicate through our secure portal.

Louisiana allows electronic signatures and remote online notarization in many situations. However, those rules do not apply to every legal document. Some documents may require an original, a traditional notarization or another signing procedure.

Many uncontested cases also resolve through written filings without a court appearance. Still, a judge can require additional evidence or schedule a hearing. We will tell you if your case requires an in-person step.

Your Louisiana Succession in Five Clear Steps

Step 1: Consultation and Document Collection

We begin with a free telephone or video consultation. You can explain what happened, identify the family members and describe the known property.

You can then upload available records through our secure portal. Helpful documents may include:

• The Last Will and Testament
• The death certificate
• Property deeds and tax records
• Bank and investment account statements
• Vehicle information
• Information about debts and expenses
• Names and addresses for heirs or legatees

Do not delay your consultation because information is missing. We will identify what the succession needs and help you locate important records.

Louisiana courts generally need the original Will. You may send us a scan for the initial review. When we need the original, we can provide a prepaid and tracked FedEx label.

Step 2: Determine the Correct Succession Procedure

Our team reviews the Will, family history, assets and debts. We then determine which Louisiana succession procedure fits the estate.

The proper approach may involve:

• A testate succession based on a valid Will
• An intestate succession when there is no valid Will
• A simple succession that seeks immediate possession
• An administration managed by an executor or administrator
• A small succession procedure when the estate qualifies
• An ancillary succession for Louisiana property owned by an out-of-state decedent
• A contested proceeding when heirs, fiduciaries or beneficiaries disagree

We explain the proposed strategy before moving forward. For many uncontested matters, we also provide a flat-fee quote with a defined scope.

Step 3: Prepare, Review and Sign the Documents

Field Law prepares the court pleadings and supporting documents. These may include petitions, affidavits, verifications, descriptive lists and a proposed judgment.

You will have an opportunity to review the documents and ask questions. We use electronic signatures and authorized remote notarization when the law permits them. If a document needs a different signing method, we will provide clear instructions.

Step 4: File the Succession and Obtain the Court’s Judgment

We file the succession in the proper Louisiana parish. Our team monitors the case and responds if the court requests corrections, evidence or additional documents.

In an uncontested matter, the judge may decide the case from the written filings. Once the court approves the succession, it signs a Judgment of Possession or another appropriate judgment.

Step 5: Complete the Property Transfers

A signed judgment establishes who owns the estate property covered by the succession. We provide copies of the judgment and explain the next steps.

Depending on the estate, those steps may include:

• Recording the judgment in a parish’s conveyance records
• Updating the ownership of Louisiana real estate
• Presenting the judgment to a bank or financial institution
• Transferring vehicle titles
• Closing an estate account
• Distributing remaining property to the proper recipients

Banks, agencies and other institutions may have their own forms. We help you understand which documents to present and where to use them.

Is Our Remote-First Process Right for Your Family?

Our process works well for Louisiana families and out-of-state relatives. It can be especially helpful when heirs live in different cities or cannot travel during business hours.

Remote convenience does not mean your case must be simple. Field Law also handles contested successions and estate disputes. These matters may involve extra discovery, hearings, negotiations or appeals.

Contact us if the estate involves:

• A missing or disputed Will
• Disagreements among heirs or beneficiaries
• Questions about an executor’s conduct
• Property that someone transferred before death
• Unclear family relationships or missing heirs
• Louisiana property owned by someone from another state
• An estate that has remained unresolved for many years

An early review can reveal the correct procedure and prevent avoidable mistakes.

Clear Fees Before the Work Begins

Field Law offers transparent flat-fee representation for many uncontested successions. After the consultation, we explain the proposed scope and anticipated legal fee.

Court costs, recording charges and certified copies may create additional expenses. We identify expected charges when possible. Contested matters require a separate scope and fee structure because the work depends on the dispute.

Frequently Asked Questions About Remote Louisiana Successions

Do I need the original Will?

Louisiana courts generally require the original Will for probate. You may send us a scan during the initial review. We can provide a prepaid, tracked FedEx label when we need the original.

If the original cannot be found, contact us before assuming the succession cannot proceed. Louisiana law provides procedures for certain missing-Will situations, but they require additional proof.

Will I have to appear in court?

Many uncontested successions resolve through written filings. In those cases, the client may never need to enter a courtroom.

A judge can still require a hearing or additional evidence. Contested successions are also more likely to involve court appearances.

Do I have to visit the Field Law office?

Generally, no. Most clients can consult with us, send records and review documents remotely.

You are always welcome to meet with us in person. We will also tell you if your particular case requires an in-person step.

Can every succession document be signed electronically?

No. Louisiana recognizes electronic signatures for many transactions, but the law contains exceptions. The correct signing method depends on the document and its legal purpose.

Remote online notarization is also available only for permitted documents. Field Law will provide the proper instructions for each document in your case.

What happens if there is no Will?

The estate proceeds under Louisiana intestacy law. That law determines who inherits based on the deceased person’s family relationships and the type of property involved.

An intestate succession can often use the same remote-first process. We identify the proper heirs and prepare the required court documents.

Does the estate qualify as a small succession?

Louisiana provides a small succession procedure for certain estates. Qualification depends on the estate’s value, the date of death and other legal requirements.

An estate may qualify when its gross value does not exceed $125,000. Different rules may apply when the person died at least 20 years ago. We review the complete situation before recommending this procedure.

How long does a Louisiana succession take?

The timeline depends on the court, property, debts and number of heirs. Missing documents and family disagreements can add time.

Organized and uncontested matters usually move faster than administered or contested estates. We provide updates as the case progresses.

Can Field Law represent an heir who lives outside Louisiana?

Yes. We routinely help out-of-state clients with Louisiana successions and Louisiana property.

Our remote-first system allows clients to communicate and review documents without repeated travel. Learn more about ancillary successions involving Louisiana property.

What if the heirs disagree?

A disagreement does not prevent you from contacting us. Field Law represents clients in succession litigation, estate disputes and related appeals.

We will evaluate the conflict and explain whether negotiation or court action offers the better path.

Start Your Louisiana Succession From Home

You do not need to understand every succession rule before calling us. Tell us what happened and share the information you have. Our team will identify the next steps and explain your options.

Field Law serves clients throughout Louisiana. We also represent heirs, executors and family members who live in other states.

Arrange your free initial consultation today. Call 225-341-5270 or start through our secure online intake form.

Helpful Louisiana Succession Resources

• Understanding the Louisiana succession process
• Louisiana law concerning documents filed to probate a testament
• Louisiana’s definition of a small succession
• Louisiana law governing remote online notarization