Louisiana Successions for Out-of-State Heirs & Executors

Someone died owning a house, land, a camp or mineral rights in Louisiana, and you live somewhere else. Or the person who died lived in another state but owned property here. Either way, the family usually needs a Louisiana succession before that property can be sold or transferred, and you can get it done without coming to Louisiana.

Louisiana successions are the only kind of work we do, and heirs and executors in other states are a routine part of it. Call (504) 264-1057 or tell us about your case. We respond within one business day.

Which situation are you in?

The person who died lived in Louisiana, and you don’t

This is a regular Louisiana succession. It’s filed in the parish where they lived, and the heirs or the executor can live anywhere. We handle the court filings here; you sign from home.

The person who died lived in another state but owned Louisiana property

This is often called an ancillary succession. The main estate is handled in the state where they lived, and a separate Louisiana proceeding transfers the Louisiana property. It’s usually filed in the parish where the property is, and it can often build on the probate already done in the home state. Read more about how ancillary successions work in Louisiana.

What you don’t have to do

• Travel to Louisiana. Most successions never require a court appearance, and when one does, we appear for you.
• Find a local lawyer in each parish. We handle successions statewide, wherever the property is.
• Print, notarize and mail stacks of paper. Most documents are signed electronically, and documents that need a notary can be signed with an online notary.

How it works from out of state

1. A 30-minute call with intake. We ask who died, where they lived, what they owned in Louisiana, whether there is a will, and who the heirs are.
2. We tell you the procedure and the price. You get it in writing, along with what we need from you.
3. You sign from wherever you are, electronically or with an online notary.
4. We file with the court and record the judgment in each parish where there is property, and keep you updated until the title is clear.

What it costs and how long it takes

Most successions we handle are a flat fee, quoted in writing before you sign anything. Fees start at approximately $2,000 to $5,000, depending on the procedure needed.

Getting started usually takes 2–4 weeks while we gather documents and prepare the filing. How long it takes to finish depends on the type of case and the procedure needed, and for an ancillary succession, on where the home-state probate stands. On the first call we give you a realistic timeline for your case.

What out-of-state families bring us

• A parent’s house in Louisiana that the heirs, all living elsewhere, want to sell
• Land, a camp or mineral rights owned by someone who lived in another state
• An executor named in a will who lives outside Louisiana (see what happens if the executor lives outside Louisiana)
• A will written in another state that now has to be used in Louisiana (see Louisiana successions for out-of-state wills)

Who handles your case

All three of our attorneys handle out-of-state successions: Brad P. Scott (founding partner), Jane C. Alvarez and Rachel Jokinen. We work out of offices in New Orleans and Covington, and handle successions in every Louisiana parish.

What our clients say

“Ava handled a legal matter concerning my mother’s estate that was a bit tricky. Ava made the process easy during a stressful time even as we are located on the other side of the country.”

Nathan, Google review ★★★★★

“Recently lost a family member and Jade was so helpful with explaining the law details and processes we needed to go through to get everything sorted out.”

Alana G., Google review ★★★★★

Rated 4.9 on Google. Read more client reviews.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to come to Louisiana?

Almost never. We handle the court filings and any appearances, and you sign electronically or with an online notary.

Can someone who lives in another state be the executor of a Louisiana succession?

Generally yes. A nonresident can serve, but Louisiana requires them to name a local agent to receive legal papers. We handle that as part of the filing.

Is a will from another state valid in Louisiana?

Usually. Louisiana generally recognizes a will that was valid where it was signed or where the person lived. It still has to be filed and given effect through a Louisiana proceeding before Louisiana property transfers.

Do we need a succession just for mineral rights or a small piece of land?

Often yes. Without one, the heirs usually can’t sign leases, collect royalties in their own names, or sell. For smaller estates, a simpler small succession affidavit may work instead.

Get help with a Louisiana succession from out of state

Call (504) 264-1057 or tell us about your case. Free, confidential, and reviewed within one business day.