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Probate in Louisiana typically costs 2%–4% of the estate value in attorney feesLa. C.C.P. art. 3351.1 (limits dual-role compensation; attorney fees reasonable per court discretion)Verified May 31, 2026, plus court filing fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and any required surety bond. Attorney fees in Louisiana are negotiated, so the actual cost depends on the firm and complexity. Total all-in costs typically run 3-8% of estate value. The Louisiana probate calculator gives a detailed estimate based on estate value.
Louisiana allows "independent administration" (sometimes called unsupervised or informal probate), which lets the executor handle most estate decisions without ongoing court approval. The executor still files the will, inventories assets, and reports to the court, but doesn't need a hearing for routine actions like paying bills or selling assets. Independent administration typically saves both time and attorney fees compared to supervised probate.
Estate planning attorneys in Louisiana average $337 per hourClio Legal Trends Report 2025Verified Jan 1, 2025 for wills and estates work. Flat-fee packages run roughly $1,011–$2,022 for a simple individual will and $2,470–$3,705 for a basic revocable trust. Online and DIY services cost $30–$300 for the same documents — see the will cost calculator for a side-by-side comparison.
Louisiana has a generous small-estate threshold of $125,000. Estates under that line can use the Small Succession procedure, which is a form rather than a court case — most families can handle it without an attorney. For estates above the threshold, formal probate generally benefits from counsel because of the procedural overhead, even when nothing is contested. The Louisiana probate calculator estimates total costs based on estate value.
In Louisiana, the situations where retaining counsel is typically worth the cost are: blended families with children from prior relationships (community property rules can produce surprising outcomes); ownership of a business, rental property, or significant investment assets; special-needs dependents who need a special-needs trust to preserve benefits; substantial property held in multiple states. If none of these describe your situation, the simpler online and DIY tools are often enough.
Search 3,941 estate law firms across 51 states.
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to discuss your situation and verify their current practice areas and availability.
12 firms
Shreveport law firm providing comprehensive succession and probate services including asset inventory, will validation, debt settlement, and asset distribution assistance.
Location
852 Texas AveShreveport, LA 71101
Phone
(318) 219-8011
Serves Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes from the Lockport Town Hall office, helping families open and settle successions. Ann Mallett Barker, in practice more than 30 years, opens testate and intestate successions, puts heirs into possession, and handles related estate administration. Offers a free initial consultation.
Location
710 Church Street, Suite CLockport, LA 70374
Phone
(985) 242-4043
Service Area
2 counties
Monroe firm with over 100 years of combined legal experience offering estate planning and probate services including succession administration, trust formation and management, and estate planning throughout Northeast Louisiana.
Location
1811 Tower Drive, Suite DMonroe, LA 71201
Phone
(318) 333-0377
Service Area
5 counties
D. Bruce Cameron offers more than 20 years of experience in estate planning, successions, and estate administration serving Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, the Northshore area, and throughout Louisiana. The firm accommodates evening and weekend appointments.
Location
1290 7th St, Suite 1Slidell, LA 70458
Phone
(985) 288-1732
Service Area
1 county
Attorney Carl H. Franklin has been guiding Louisiana families through successions, probate, wills, and estate planning for over 39 years. A member of Elder Counsel and Wealth Counsel, he serves Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, and parishes throughout Northwest Louisiana.
Location
910 Pierremont Road, Suite 417Shreveport, LA 71106
Phone
(318) 639-6152
Service Area
6 counties
Damon J. Baldone is a lifelong resident of Houma with over 30 years of legal experience. The firm handles succession proceedings, estate administration, and estate planning for families in Terrebonne Parish and surrounding areas.
Location
162 New Orleans BoulevardHouma, LA 70364
Phone
(985) 868-3427
Service Area
2 counties
Established succession attorney in Bossier City with extensive experience as a probate lawyer, serving clients throughout Shreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana.
Location
3985 Airline DriveBossier City, LA 71111
Phone
(318) 747-7023
Established
1982
Service Area
2 counties
Phillip Ellis is a North Louisiana attorney raised in Claiborne Parish and rooted in Ruston, bringing real-world experience from the sheriff's office to the courtroom. The firm helps families across Lincoln, Union, and Ouachita Parishes with wills, trusts, and succession matters.
Location
2100 Floyd Park Dr, Suite 3Ruston, LA 71270
Phone
(318) 513-3175
Service Area
4 counties
Baton Rouge firm serving East Baton Rouge Parish and the surrounding region since 1984. Handles Louisiana successions and probate administration, drafting of wills and durable powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and probate-related disputes. The estate group works alongside the firm's broader civil practice.
Location
123 St. Ferdinand StreetBaton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone
(225) 343-1111
Established
1984
Service Area
1 county
Opelousas law firm offering succession and probate services throughout Acadiana including Opelousas, Eunice, Ville Platte, Lafayette, and surrounding communities. Whether you need a small succession or assistance with a complicated estate or contested will, the firm provides free consultations for succession matters.
Location
511 E Landry StOpelousas, LA 70570
Phone
(337) 942-1900
Service Area
3 counties