Estate Planning Lawyers in Baton Rouge

5 estate planning attorneys are listed in Baton Rouge. Planning an estate in Louisiana is different from anywhere else in the country: the state follows a civil law tradition, and several of its rules have no equivalent in other states.

What makes Louisiana different

• Forced heirship. Children who are 23 or younger at a parent's death, or who are permanently unable to care for themselves or manage their affairs, are "forced heirs" and are entitled to a reserved share of the estate. A will that ignores them can be challenged.
• Two common forms of will. A notarial testament is signed before a notary and two witnesses; an olographic testament must be entirely handwritten, dated and signed by the person making it. A will that meets neither form may not be valid.
• Community property. Property acquired during marriage is generally owned half-and-half by the spouses, which shapes what each spouse can leave.
• Usufruct. A surviving spouse often receives the right to use and enjoy property for life while ownership passes to the children — a frequent point to plan around.

When someone dies, the estate goes through a "succession" rather than "probate". For Baton Rouge residents, successions are opened in the 19th Judicial District Court for East Baton Rouge Parish. Louisiana does not currently impose a state estate or inheritance tax.

Before your first meeting, list your assets and how they are titled, note whether anything is separate or community property, and gather existing wills, trusts, beneficiary designations and powers of attorney. If you moved here from another state, bring your old documents — they may need to be redone under Louisiana law.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; confirm the details with a licensed Louisiana attorney.

Lawyers listed in Baton Rouge also cover Business Law (43), Personal Injury (31) and Environmental Law (27). The same practice elsewhere in Louisiana: Lafayette (5). Across Louisiana the directory lists 10 attorneys in this practice; Baton Rouge is 1st by their number among 2 cities.