Wills & Succession Lawyers

Wills and successions can be very complex in nature, and the issues surrounding them often affect people at an already difficult time in their lives. Whether you’re planning ahead or dealing with a recent loss, we're here to offer the competent, compassionate, professional guidance to ensure you and your loved ones are protected. Our goal at Anderson Traylor Edwards is to deliver the best results possible for our clients, providing them security and peace of mind.

The assets of a deceased person must be transferred to their heirs upon death, but not all property is subject to succession (or probate, as it’s called in other states). Annuities, retirement plans, and insurance policies with named beneficiaries do not have to go through the same process as other property, even when a comprehensive and up-to-date will exists. Additionally, if a person dies without a will, state law determines how all of their property and assets will be divided. Because every situation is different, it is important to seek experienced legal advice as you plan for future situations or encounter sudden losses.

Louisiana recognizes a child of the deceased who is either under the age of 24 or who cannot care for him- or herself because a mental or physical condition as a "forced heir". Even when there is a surviving spouse, a forced heir is entitled to a certain portion of the estate regardless of what is or is not specified in a will. However, in certain instances a spouse can be granted a lifetime usufruct over the forced heir’s inheritance, which grants the spouse some right to use or share ownership of the property in question. A skilled attorney with Anderson Traylor Edwards can explain more about how this process can affect your own estate planning considerations if you have questions about forced heirship.

In Louisiana, a surviving spouse is entitled to a preset percentage of an estate if the deceased spouse died “richer in comparison”. That means that if a married person in Louisiana has separate property and community assets that are five times greater in comparison to their spouse's assets, then the surviving spouse will be entitled to claim a specific percentage of the estate upon that person's death. A prenuptial agreement cannot waive the marital portion. 

 The designated marital portion varies according to whether a married couple has children, and if so, how many children they have together.

No two people have the exact same needs when it comes to wills or successions. At Anderson Traylor Edwards in Hammond, we understand that many of our clients reach out to us when they are in the middle of stressful or life-altering situations. We make it our business to put you at ease, to handle your situation with sensitivity, and to offer expert guidance in times of trouble.