What Is a Succession and How Does It Work?

Understanding Louisiana Estate Law with Bloom Legal Network

When a loved one passes away in Louisiana, their assets don’t automatically transfer to family members. Instead, those assets go through a legal process called a succession, what many other states refer to as “probate.” 

If you live in New Orleans, Metairie, or anywhere in Southeast Louisiana, understanding how successions work is critical to protecting your rights and avoiding costly legal complications.

At Bloom Legal Network, we help families across Jefferson Parish, St. Tammany Parish, and St. Charles Parish navigate the succession process with clarity, strategy, and legal strength. Whether you’re facing a contested estate, dealing with property title issues, or unsure about your role in the process, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

What Is a Succession in Louisiana?

A succession is the court-supervised legal process of transferring ownership of a deceased person’s assets to their heirs or beneficiaries. This can include property, bank accounts, vehicles, investments, and more.

There are two main types of successions in Louisiana:

• Testate Succession: When the person who passed away had a valid will.
  
• Intestate Succession: When there is no will, and the estate is distributed according to Louisiana’s inheritance laws.
  

Because Louisiana follows civil law, unlike most other U.S. states, our succession rules are unique. You’ll often hear Louisiana estate planning referred to as Successions and Donations rather than just “Trusts and Estates.”

Why Is a Succession Necessary?

A succession is required in order to:

• Legally transfer ownership of the deceased’s property
  
• Pay outstanding debts or taxes owed by the estate
  
• Establish clear title to real estate
  
• Resolve any disputes between heirs or creditors
  

Without a properly executed succession, heirs may face delays selling or using inherited property, and may even lose access to it altogether.

In Jefferson Parish and St. Charles Parish, where family-owned homes and land are common, unresolved successions can create major issues with property ownership and tax responsibility.

Who Handles the Succession?

Louisiana successions are typically handled by:

• An Executor (named in a will), or
  
• An Administrator (appointed by the court if there is no will)
  

This person is responsible for managing the estate, notifying heirs, collecting assets, paying debts, and ultimately distributing what remains.

If you’ve been named an executor or are unsure whether you’re entitled to inherit, consult with a succession attorney through Bloom Legal Network. We help clients across Southeast Louisiana understand their legal rights and duties from the start.

What Assets Go Through Succession?

Not all property requires succession. Some assets may transfer directly to beneficiaries without going through the court, such as:

• Life insurance policies with named beneficiaries
  
• Payable-on-death (POD) or transfer-on-death (TOD) accounts
  
• Retirement accounts (like IRAs or 401(k)s) with designated heirs
  
• Jointly owned property with right of survivorship (in limited cases)
  

However, most real estate, vehicles, business interests, and personal property will require a succession in Louisiana, especially in New Orleans and Metairie, where local title laws often demand court documentation to confirm ownership transfers.

Types of Succession in Louisiana

There are a few different ways a succession can be completed, depending on the estate’s complexity:

1. Small Succession Affidavit

If the estate is valued at less than $125,000 and meets specific criteria, it may qualify for a simplified process that doesn’t require full court involvement.

2. Simple Possession

If there are no debts and the heirs are in agreement, this streamlined method allows property to transfer without lengthy administration.

3. Administered Succession

This is required when the estate has debts, disputes, or complex assets. The court will supervise every step, and the administrator will have formal duties to carry out.

Knowing which type of succession applies is critical. Bloom Legal Network works with families in St. Tammany Parish and other nearby parishes to determine the right path based on estate size, family dynamics, and potential complications.

How Long Does a Succession Take?

The timeline depends on the estate’s size and complexity. A straightforward succession may be completed in a few months. But if there are legal disputes, missing heirs, tax issues, or contested assets, the process can take a year or longer.

Timely legal advice can prevent unnecessary delays. At Bloom Legal Network, we help clients across Southeast Louisiana prepare clear filings, avoid common errors, and move the process forward with confidence.

Can You Avoid Succession?

There are legal tools that can help limit or avoid succession entirely, such as:

• Creating a revocable living trust
  
• Structuring property ownership to pass outside of court
  
• Using donations inter vivos (lifetime gifts) strategically
  
• Keeping beneficiary designations updated
  

If you’re planning your estate, now is the time to consider how your assets will be handled. The laws in Louisiana are specific, and what works in another state may not work here.

Talk to an attorney through Bloom Legal Network to create an estate plan tailored to Louisiana’s unique legal structure.

Why Legal Guidance Matters

Successions are more than paperwork—they are legal proceedings that can impact your financial future, your family relationships, and your property rights. Mistakes or omissions can cause long-term problems, including:

• Title issues with inherited property
  
• Unpaid taxes or creditors pursuing heirs
  
• Unintended heirs receiving assets
  
• Legal disputes between siblings or surviving spouses
  

Don’t risk it. If you live in Metairie, New Orleans, or anywhere in Jefferson Parish, the best way to protect your family is to work with an attorney who understands Louisiana succession law inside and out.

If you’re navigating the succession process or preparing for one in the future, don’t wait to get legal guidance. Bloom Legal Network connects families across Southeast Louisiana with experienced succession attorneys who can simplify the process and protect what matters most.

Call 504-599-9997
Email info@bloomlegal.com

The decisions you make today will shape your family’s tomorrow.