What documentation is needed to freeze or secure the decedent’s bank accounts when co-heirs refuse to cooperate? (LA)
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Detailed Answer Under Louisiana law, when a decedent’s heirs refuse to cooperate, an heir can ask the court to appoint an interim administrator or order a sequestration of the estate’s bank […]
Read article →How are real property and personal assets identified, inventoried, and distributed under intestacy law in LA?
Disclaimer: This article provides general information on Louisiana intestacy law. It is not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance tailored to your situation. Detailed Answer 1. Classifying Immovable versus Movable Property Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 467, property falls into two categories: Immovable property (real property): Land, buildings, fixtures, and rights attached to […]
Read article →What Options Exist to Secure Missing Estate Documents from Uncooperative Institutions in Louisiana?
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a Louisiana attorney for legal guidance. Detailed Answer When someone dies, you often need critical documents—death certificates, wills, bank statements, property deeds—to settle the estate. Sometimes banks, record offices, or other institutions delay or refuse to hand over records even […]
Read article →Should a personal representative open an estate account to handle the money of the estate in Louisiana?
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer Under Louisiana law, a personal representative (also known as an executor or administrator) must keep estate funds separate from personal assets. The court usually requires that you deposit all liquid assets into a designated bank account known as an estate […]
Read article →Can I Seek Reimbursement from the Estate for Paying the Funeral Bill in Louisiana (LA)?
Detailed Answer Under Louisiana law, funeral expenses paid on behalf of a decedent qualify as preferred claims in a succession. Louisiana Revised Statutes §9:2801 classifies “funeral expenses” as administrative costs, giving them priority over general creditors. To seek reimbursement, you must present a valid claim against the estate to the succession court or the personal […]
Read article →How Can an Estate Administrator Verify That a Payment Fully Satisfied an Outstanding Vehicle Loan in Louisiana?
How Can an Estate Administrator Verify That a Payment Fully Satisfied an Outstanding Vehicle Loan? Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Detailed Answer When an estate administrator (sometimes called a personal representative) pays off a vehicle loan […]
Read article →How can a client obtain appointment as administrator in Louisiana when a higher-priority heir exists?
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana for guidance on your specific situation. Detailed Answer Under Louisiana law, the clerk of court must issue letters of administration to the highest-priority heir who qualifies and accepts the appointment. The statutory order of preference […]
Read article →What is the process and timeline for applying to become the personal representative of an estate in Louisiana?
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Detailed Answer In Louisiana, a personal representative can be a testamentary executor (named in a will) or an administrator (appointed when there is no valid will). The process unfolds in the succession court of the parish where the deceased lived. Below are the key […]
Read article →How Can a Guardian or Guardian ad Litem Be Appointed to Manage a Minor’s Interest in an Estate in Louisiana?
Detailed Answer Under Louisiana law, a court appoints a guardian (called a “tutor”) or guardian ad litem (often a tutor ad hoc) to protect a minor’s interest in an estate. Parents automatically serve as tutors for their children, but the court steps in when a conflict arises or when no suitable tutor exists. The process […]
Read article →What Steps Protect a Minor's Inheritance in Louisiana When the Decedent Did Not Leave a Will?
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer When someone dies without a will in Louisiana, they die intestate. The estate passes under Louisiana’s intestacy laws, and any minor heir requires special court supervision to protect their share. Open a succession proceeding. Under La. C.C.P. art. 3421, […]
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