Louisiana Executor and Estate Kit: the $200,000 Small Estate Route, First Month Checklist and Estate Ledger

Who it is for

Whoever is settling the estate of someone who lived in Louisiana, whether named in a will or not.

Not the right fit if

The person didn't live in or own property in Louisiana, or a will contest or family dispute means you need an estate attorney. Not a form preparation or legal service.

Why it is different

• Sources, checked November 2026: Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 3421, Small successions defined (Louisiana Legislature); La. Civil Code art. 1576, Notarial testament; requirements of form (Louisiana Legislature).
• 5 facts aren't stated on those pages, so the kit says so and links where to check.

What is inside

• Louisiana small estate route. For a person who died domiciled in Louisiana, property with a gross value of $200,000 or less at the date of death; $125,000 for Louisiana property of a person domiciled elsewhere; any value if the death was at least 20 years before the affidavit. Real estate counts toward the value, and the procedure can reach it. Small succession affidavit: Heirs and the surviving spouse handle a small succession by affidavit instead of a court-opened succession; an endorsed copy is authority for paying money or delivering property.
• How a Louisiana will had to be signed. Two witnesses and a notary. A notarial testament is signed before a notary public in the presence of two witnesses, and the testator, each witness and the notary sign it. Built into the notarial testament: signed on each page with a declaration signed by the notary and the witnesses, it can be accepted without further proof (Code of Civil Procedure art. 2887). Recognized as an olographic testament if entirely written, dated and signed in the testator's handwriting.
• Louisiana estate ledger (Excel). Assets, debts, payments and distributions; it compares the countable assets with $200,000 and counts real estate in the person's name.
• First 30 days, tracker and letters. The first month in order, a documents and accounts tracker, and plain letters to a bank, a utility and Social Security.
• Still to confirm in Louisiana. waiting period after the death, notary or oath, where the paperwork goes, official form: check Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 3421, Small successions defined (Louisiana Legislature); a witness who inherits: check La. Civil Code art. 1576, Notarial testament; requirements of form (Louisiana Legislature).