Disclaimer

This is general information and not legal advice. I am not a lawyer. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed Louisiana attorney who handles successions and estate administration.

Detailed answer — Practical steps under Louisiana law

When someone dies in Louisiana, the deceased person’s property becomes part of a succession (the estate). Until the court appoints an administrator (for intestate estates) or an executor (if there is a valid will naming one), no single person has full authority to administer or distribute estate property. That said, immediate steps to secure the house and preserve assets are important to prevent loss and to preserve the estate’s value for heirs and creditors.

1) Secure the property safely and lawfully

• Change locks or board up openings only if you have lawful access. If the home is jointly owned (for example, titled in two names with survivorship) a co-owner likely has a legal right to access the property and you cannot unilaterally exclude them.
• If you do change locks, keep records: date/time, who changed them, and who currently has keys.
• Turn on alarms, set outdoor lights, and ask a trusted neighbor to watch the house.
• Contact the homeowner’s insurance company to report the death. Insurance may cover theft, vandalism, or damage while the estate is pending.

2) Create a careful inventory and documentation

• Do a room-by-room inventory. Use video or dated photographs and back them up to cloud storage. Capture serial numbers, make and model of electronics, and close-ups of jewelry or unique items.
• Make a written inventory with descriptions, approximate value, and where the item was found (e.g., master bedroom closet). Sign and date the inventory.
• Ask one or two disinterested witnesses (neighbors or friends) to sign or initial the inventory pages or to be present when you photograph and catalogue items.
• Collect key documents promptly: will (if any), original deed, recent mortgage statement, insurance policies, bank statements, titles, and safe-deposit box information.

3) Do not dispose of or sell estate property

Until an administrator or executor is appointed, do not sell, give away, or destroy estate assets. Doing so can create disputes and personal liability.

4) If siblings (or others) are removing items now

• If someone is actively taking items, call the local police and report suspected theft or conversion of property. Provide the police with the death certificate (if available), your relation, and your inventory/photos. Police may treat clear removal as theft even between family members.
• Document any incidents: who removed what, when, and where. Take photos of empty spaces or missing items.
• Consider sending a written demand (email or certified letter) to the relatives requesting they stop removing items and preserve the estate pending appointment of an administrator. Keep a copy of the demand and proof of delivery.
• If siblings have already taken items of significant value, you may need an attorney to file a conservatory writ (temporary restraining order), petition for sequestration, or a similar emergency motion to preserve estate assets. A Louisiana probate attorney can advise what emergency remedies the succession court can grant in your parish.

5) Start the succession (probate) process promptly

File a petition for the appointment of an administrator (intestate) or for probate of the will and appointment of the executor (testate) in the district court where the decedent lived. Once a person is appointed, the court will authorize them to take possession of estate property and prepare the official inventory and appraisement. Acting quickly shortens the period when property is at greatest risk.

6) After appointment — formal inventory and appraisement

After the court appoints an administrator/executor, the administrator must file the court-ordered inventory and appraisement, secure and safeguard assets, file tax returns for the decedent and the estate if required, and follow Louisiana succession procedures for paying debts and distributing assets.

Relevant Louisiana resources

For statutory guidance on successions and probate procedure in Louisiana, see the Louisiana Legislature’s law search and the Civil Code and Code of Civil Procedure sections on successions: https://legis.la.gov/Legis/LawSearch.aspx. For court-specific procedures, contact the district court clerk in the parish where the decedent lived.

When to call the police versus when to go to court

• Call the police now if someone is actively removing property without permission. This may be criminal theft.
• If the issue is a dispute between heirs (e.g., “I had permission to take Aunt’s jewelry”), it often becomes a civil matter decided in succession court. An emergency court petition may stop removals while the court resolves rights.
• Speak with a probate attorney quickly. They can file an emergency petition to protect assets and request appointment as administrator if you are an appropriate candidate.

Helpful Hints

• Act fast. The sooner you secure the property and start the succession process, the better.
• Keep everything documented and time-stamped: photos, videos, emails, witness statements, and receipts.
• Do not force entry into a locked home or break a lock unless you have clear legal authority. Illegal entry can lead to criminal charges.
• If the decedent owned the home with another person (co-owner), determine title form immediately. Co-owners may have legal rights to access and possession.
• Preserve valuables (cash, jewelry, firearms) in a locked, secure place. Consider transferring small high-value items to a bank safe deposit box only after getting court authorization or written agreement from other heirs, or keep them with a trusted third party and document chain of custody.
• Notify banks, mortgage companies, utility providers, and insurance carriers of the death so accounts can be reviewed and utilities maintained or transferred as needed.
• Consult a local succession attorney as soon as possible. They can file the necessary petitions, request emergency relief, and guide you through Louisiana’s succession rules.