New Orleans Succession & Probate Attorneys

When someone dies owning a house, a bank account or a car in New Orleans, the family usually needs a succession before anything can be sold, refinanced or transferred. That is the only kind of work we do. From our office at 909 Poydras Street, our attorneys open and close successions at Orleans Parish Civil District Court for families across the city, and for heirs who live out of state.

Call (504) 264-1057 or tell us about your case. We respond within one business day.

What a New Orleans succession costs

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: a small succession affidavit, a judgment of possession, or a full administration. On the first call we tell you which one applies and exactly what it costs.

How long it takes at Orleans Parish Civil District Court

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. A small succession affidavit is the quickest; an administration or a contested case takes longer. On the first call we give you a realistic timeline for your case.

Civil District Court is at 421 Loyola Avenue. Most successions are decided on the papers, so families rarely have to appear.

What happens when you call

1. A 30-minute call with intake. We ask who died, what they owned, 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 electronically. Documents that need a notary can be signed at our office or remotely with an online notary.
4. We file with Civil District Court and keep you updated until the judgment of possession is signed and recorded.

You don’t have to come downtown

Most of our New Orleans clients never visit the office. We work by phone, Zoom and email, and handle every court filing ourselves as counsel of record. Heirs in other states are routine. If you’d rather meet in person, we’re in the Central Business District at 909 Poydras Street, Suite 1230.

Family lived in Metairie, Kenner or Gretna? Jefferson Parish successions go to a different court; see our Metairie and Jefferson Parish succession attorneys.

What New Orleans families bring us

• The family house, still in a grandparent’s name. Many New Orleans homes passed down for decades without a succession. We trace the title and open the successions needed to give today’s heirs a title they can sell.
• Selling an inherited house. Title companies require a recorded judgment of possession before closing. We coordinate with your realtor and title company.
• Heirs who disagree. We represent heirs and succession representatives when a will is challenged or co-heirs can’t agree on a sale. See our estate litigation work.
• Small estates. When an estate is under $200,000, a small succession affidavit can transfer bank accounts and property without a court case.

Who handles your case

All three of our attorneys work out of both our New Orleans and Covington offices: Brad P. Scott (founding partner), Jane C. Alvarez and Rachel Jokinen. They work only on Louisiana successions and estates.

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 ★★★★★

“Dealing with loss is hard enough, dealing with the legal aspects of loss is cruel. Brad made that process a lot less painful and I am grateful for his knowledge and compassion.”

A. Robinson, Google review ★★★★★

Rated 4.9 on Google. Read more client reviews.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a succession if my parent had a will?

Usually yes. In Louisiana a will has to be probated through a succession before property transfers. The will decides who inherits; the succession makes it official.

Can I sell my parent’s New Orleans house before the succession is done?

Generally not. The buyer’s title company will require a judgment of possession, or court authority to sell, first.

My relative died years ago. Is it too late?

No. There’s no deadline to open a succession, though some rights and debts are time-sensitive. We regularly open successions for deaths from decades ago.

Do all the heirs have to live in Louisiana?

No. Out-of-state heirs sign remotely.

Get help with a New Orleans succession

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