Baton Rouge, LA Succession Services

Succession Services

Are you looking for Succession Services in Baton Rouge, LA? If so, you can reach us at (225) 955-7255

Losing a loved one is always a hard and painful time in life.  During that difficult time, time is what you need, time to grieve, time to process, or time to comfort other family members.  What you do not need to spend time on is business affairs and/or court proceedings concerning your deceased loved one.  This is where I come in.  Should you hire me, I will help you navigate the legal system in order to achieve resolution to each matter.  I will do everything I can to complete your succession/probate and put your mind at ease.  This way, you can stay focused on what is most important, your family and yourself.

Planning is always a smart investment.  Early and appropriate estate planning can yield positive and stress-free results for you and your loved ones.  I can help you with a number of options when planning your estate (wills, durable power of attorney, medical/healthcare power of attorney and living wills).  Do no stress or worry about how your affairs will be taken care of.  Start today, make a plan for your estate.  You and your loved ones will be glad you did.

The May Law Firm can help you with all of the following:

-Living Wills

-Last Will and Testament

-Durable Power of Attorney

-Healthcare (medical) Power of Attorney

-Succession

-Probate

-Definition of Estate

The estate of a deceased means the property, rights, and obligations that a person leaves after his death, whether the property exceeds the charges or the charges exceed the property, or whether he has only left charges without any property.  The estate includes not only the rights and obligations of the deceased as they exist at the time of death, but all that has accrued thereto since death, and the new charges to which it becomes subject.

Definition of Succession

Succession is the transmission of the estate of the deceased to his successors.  The successors thus have the right to take possession of the estate of the deceased after complying with applicable provisions of law.

Kinds of Succession

In Louisiana, there are two (2) kinds of succession.  They are:

-Testate succession – this kind of succession results from the will of the deceased, contained in a testament executed in a form prescribed by law.

-Intestate succession – results from provisions of law in favor of certain persons, in default of testate successors.  In the absence of valid testamentary disposition, the undisposed property of the deceased devolves by operation of law in favor of his descendants, ascendants, and collaterals, by blood or by adoption, and in favor of his spouse not judicially separated from him, in the order provided in law.

What does a probate lawyer do?

Specifically, here are some of the common tasks a probate lawyer may assist an executor and beneficiaries with during the probate process:

-Collecting proceeds from life insurance policies

-Identifying and securing estate assets

-Obtaining appraisals for the decedent’s real property

-Assisting in the payment of bills and debts

-Preparing and filing all documents required by a probate court

-Determining if any estate or inheritance taxes are due, and making sure those debts are satisfied

-Managing the estate checking account

-Transferring assets in the decedent’s name to the appropriate beneficiaries

-Making a final disbursement of assets to beneficiaries after all bills and taxes have been paid

Do all estates have to go through succession/probate court in Louisiana?

The answer to this question is no.  There are instances where an estate does not need to go through the court system to take effect.   If you have questions about whether or not your matters needs to go before the court, contact me.