How Much Does Probate Cost in Louisiana?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Louisiana costs an estimated $24,842La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.9%La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3%La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Probate costs in Louisiana typically include attorney fees of typically 1.9%La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3%La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. On a $500,000 estate, total costs run about $24,842La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, roughly 5% of estate value, varying with complexity. Estimate executor compensation separately with the Louisiana executor fee calculator.
Louisiana allows estates valued at $200,000La. C.C.P. art. 3421Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less to use the Small Succession AffidavitLa. C.C.P. art. 3421Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, which avoids full probate administration. The Small Succession Affidavit is presented directly to the bank, employer, or other holder of the property — it is not filed with a court. There is no statutory waiting period. Check eligibility with the Louisiana probate need checker.
In Louisiana, simple estates typically take 3 months to 6 months, and average estates 6 months to 12 months. Complex estates with disputes, tax issues, or unusual assets take longer. The creditor claim period of 3 monthsLa. C.C.P. arts. 3241-3249, 3301-3308; La. C.C. art. 3276Verified Oct 18, 2026View source runs from the date of death, whether or not probate has opened, so it can already be partly spent when the executor is appointed.
Yes. The probate calculator on this page estimates Louisiana probate attorney fees from the estate value, with attorney fees of typically 1.9%La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3%La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate. On a $500,000 estate, typical fees run 1.9%La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3%La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of its value; the percentage runs higher on smaller estates and lower on larger ones. It shows the attorney fee alongside executor fees, court filing fees, and the total probate cost.
Louisiana sets executor compensation at 2.5% of the estate by statuteLa. C.C.P. art. 3351 (2.5% of inventory default; court may increase if inadequate)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Executors can waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount. See a detailed breakdown with the Louisiana executor fee calculator.
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Learn moreForms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Louisiana
Free Louisiana forms for planning an estate or settling one: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed, and the probate forms an executor files.
Renunciation of Executor
In Louisiana, a person named as testamentary executor may decline to serveLa. Code Civ. Proc. art. 3083Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Louisiana, the Small Succession AffidavitLa. C.C.P. art. 3421Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates valued at $200,000La. C.C.P. art. 3421Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
Prepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.
Estate Closing
In Louisiana, the personal representative is discharged by court orderLa. C.C.P. arts. 3391, 3392, 3396.19Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required unless it is waived.
Letter of Instruction
Prepare the letter a bank or insurer requests during estate settlement, addressed to its claims department.
Last Will and Testament
In Louisiana, a will is signed before 2La. C.C. Art. 1576Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and a notaryLa. C.C. Art. 1576Verified Oct 18, 2026View source, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimonyLa. C.C. Art. 1576Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Louisiana requires 2La. R.S. 40:1151.2Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses for a healthcare power of attorney; notarization is not requiredLa. R.S. 40:1151.2Verified Oct 15, 2026View source.
Financial Power of Attorney
Louisiana treats a power of attorney as durable by defaultLa. C.C. Art. 2989-2997 (mandate), Art. 3021 (putative mandatary), Art. 3024-3027 (termination/durability/revocation), Art. 1833 (authentic act), Art. 1839 + Art. 3338 (immovable transfers; recordation), Art. 1927 (acceptance), Art. 29 (majority), Art. 3537-3541 (conflicts; Art. 3538 form); La. R.S. 9:3890 (conditional/springing procuration); La. R.S. 6:311.1 (financial institution written-notice protection)Verified Sep 18, 2026View source, and it is signed with no witness or notary requirementLa. C.C. Art. 2989-2997 (mandate), Art. 3021 (putative mandatary), Art. 3024-3027 (termination/durability/revocation), Art. 1833 (authentic act), Art. 1839 + Art. 3338 (immovable transfers; recordation), Art. 1927 (acceptance), Art. 29 (majority), Art. 3537-3541 (conflicts; Art. 3538 form); La. R.S. 9:3890 (conditional/springing procuration); La. R.S. 6:311.1 (financial institution written-notice protection)Verified Sep 18, 2026View source.
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Louisiana
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Louisiana: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Louisiana is a community property state, so the surviving spouse already owns half of what the couple acquired during the marriage. Without a will in Louisiana, descendants divide what passes to them per stirpesLa. Civ. Code art. 888Verified Sep 10, 2026View source, and the state sets no survival period for heirs.
What Are the Burial and Cremation Laws in My State?
Louisiana allows you to name your own agent in advanceLa. R.S. 8:655; La. R.S. 37:876Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, and that designation takes priority over the order of next of kin who otherwise control disposition of the remains.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Louisiana levies no estate or inheritance taxNo state death tax due. Inheritance tax repealed (La. R.S. 47:2401, "Repealed by Acts 2008, No. 822, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010"). Estate transfer tax (La. R.S. 47:2431–2437) remains codified but is pegged to the IRC § 2011 state death tax credit, so no estate transfer tax is due for deaths after December 31, 2004Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; only the federal estate tax applies above $15,000,00026 USC 2001(c), 2010; P.L. 119-21 §70106Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?
Louisiana imposes no inheritance or estate taxNo state death tax due. Inheritance tax repealed (La. R.S. 47:2401, "Repealed by Acts 2008, No. 822, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010"). Estate transfer tax (La. R.S. 47:2431–2437) remains codified but is pegged to the IRC § 2011 state death tax credit, so no estate transfer tax is due for deaths after December 31, 2004Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; probate assets arrive when the estate closes, 3 months to 6 months for a simple estate.
How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?
Inherited assets in Louisiana take a basis reset to fair market value on the date of death26 USC § 1014Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the gain on a later sale faces ordinary income tax at the state's regular ratesLa. R.S. 47:32(A) — flat 3% individual rate (Acts 2024, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 11, §§2, 4, eff. Dec. 4, 2024)Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
What Are the Estate Laws in My State?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Louisiana costs an estimated $24,842La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source and takes 3 months to 6 months for a simple estate, with attorney fees of typically 1.9%La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3%La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate. Estates under $200,000La. C.C.P. art. 3421Verified Sep 8, 2026View source can use a small-estate procedure instead.
When Do I Have to Withdraw an Inherited IRA?
See which federal withdrawal rules apply to an inherited IRA, Roth IRA, or employer plan, the deadline year, and the missed-withdrawal tax.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Louisiana pays executors reasonable compensationLa. C.C.P. art. 3351 (2.5% of inventory default; court may increase if inadequate)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.5%La. C.C.P. art. 3351 (2.5% of inventory default; court may increase if inadequate)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.5%La. C.C.P. art. 3351 (2.5% of inventory default; court may increase if inadequate)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
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Louisiana Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Louisiana probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.