Testate
Succession Lawyer in Baton Rouge
When someone passes away with a valid Last Will and Testament, his or her estate is called a “testate estate.” This differs from intestate succession, in which the government distributes a person’s assets in the absence of a will or if the will was invalid in some respect.
When a valid will is in place, formal administration is typically unnecessary. In most cases, you will not need formal administration if the legatees (persons named in the will) are competent or have legal representatives acting for them, if the inheritors accept the inheritance unconditionally, and if no creditors of the succession have demanded administration. A succession attorney will then help the legatees file necessary paperwork to obtain the inherited assets and property.
However, administration will be required during testate if any of the following scenarios are true:
- The validity of the Last Will and Testament is brought into question
- It is unclear in the will who the heirs are or which of them are to inherit which property
- The named heirs cannot be located
- A forced heir claims that he or she did not receive the property to which they were entitled.
- The solvency of the estate is brought into question (i.e., if outstanding debts exceed the amount of assets, the estate is “insolvent.”)
- Other disputes arise that cannot be settled through negotiation
As a Baton Rouge testate attorney, I am here to help secure outcomes that are in your best interests and the best interests of your family. Should you encounter any of these difficulties during testate, my firm knows how to handle them. Succession and testate issues can become complex, making it imperative that you hire a committed and experienced advocate.
Protect Your Family’s Future with My Help
At my firm, Law Office of Wendra J. Moran, I offer legal counsel for all matters pertaining to wills, testate, and succession. I can help you develop a valid Last Will and Testament and help you navigate the testate process when it comes. Providing personal attention and strong guidance throughout every step of the process, I offer the dedicated support you need during this critical time.
Contact my firm today for the estate planning representation you need!
Recommended Reading: Who Inherits if I Do Not Have a Will in Louisiana?
