Louisiana law

Estate Planning Laws in Louisiana.

Louisiana is the only U.S. civil-law jurisdiction and its succession law is distinctive. Successions are governed by Book III of the Louisiana Civil Code, with concepts like forced heirship (more limited today than historically), usufruct, and donations inter vivos / mortis causa that have no common-law equivalent. Louisiana trust law sits in Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 9.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Key Louisiana Statutes

Louisiana Civil Code — SuccessionsLa. Civ. Code arts. 870 et seq.

Louisiana successions cover testate and intestate transfers, forced heirship rules (limited to descendants under 24 or with disabilities), usufruct arrangements, and related fiduciary concepts distinctive to civil law.

Louisiana Trust CodeLa. R.S. §§ 9:1721 et seq.

Louisiana’s Trust Code governs creation, modification, administration, and termination of trusts under Louisiana’s civil-law framework.

State law

Official Sources

Louisiana State Legislature — Laws Louisiana Supreme Court

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.

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Estate Planning Laws in Louisiana.

Key Louisiana Statutes

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

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