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Lafourche Terrebonne Succession Attorney

When a parent or other loved one dies, whether or not they have left a will, there are numerous reasons why it may be necessary to hire an attorney to file proceedings with the court. In Louisiana, the process of filing court documents following a person’s death is often referred to as “opening a succession.”

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Succession, Estate and Probate Lawyer Serving Houma and Thibodaux

A person’s estate consists of all of the assets and debts owned by the person on his date of death. The Louisiana term for settling an estate is succession. In other states, the process is usually referred to as probate. If a person dies with a will, the will must be presented to a Louisiana court in order to be given effect. In Louisiana, in order to transfer a deceased person’s title to assets to the heirs, it is sometimes necessary to “open the succession” in court. Sometimes the estate is eligible to be transferred without a formal court proceeding.

I am Ann Mallet Barker. Having practiced law for more than 30 years, I now devote my legal practice to helping people in our local area of southern Louisiana — Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes — who need to open a succession.

Succession proceedings are filed in order to settle the estate of a deceased person and to put the rightful heirs of the deceased into legal possession of estate property. These are often simple cases, resolved quickly, but still needing the attention of a lawyer.

You can contact me to determine whether opening a succession is necessary and appropriate in your circumstance.

When Is a Succession Proceeding Necessary in Louisiana?

A succession proceeding may need to be filed by an attorney if any of these situations apply:

when the deceased owned real estate
to limit liability for debts of the deceased
to resolve a personal injury claim of the deceased

Other reasons for opening a succession include transferring non-real estate assets to rightful heirs; managing property inherited by minors; managing property inherited by stepchildren; or managing the affairs of a business owned by the deceased. In any of these cases, I can make all necessary filings with the court to manage the estate of the deceased in the best interest of the survivors. The cost of a succession proceeding depends upon the complexity of the estate, but is usually very affordable. I am willing and able to provide a cost estimate following a free initial consultation.

CONTACT ANN MALLETT BARKER FOR HELP WITH ESTATE ADMINISTRATION, PROBATE, OR SUCCESSION PROCEEDINGS