A very common misconception in Louisiana is that you don’t need a Will. Many people assume that their spouse will inherit everything, which is not entirely true. Louisiana is a community property state, which greatly impacts who is entitled to inherit your property. Whether your spouse or someone else will inherit your belongings without a Will depends on whether the property is “community” or “separate.”

Any property you acquired during your marriage is considered “community property.” Meanwhile, anything you owned before you got married, any gift between you and your spouse and any property that was inherited by you is considered to be “separate property.”

Without a valid Will, your spouse is only entitled by law to an interest in your community property, not your separate property. Any separate property would be dispersed in a hierarchy mandated by law.  In other words, your spouse will not inherit your house if your home is separate property and you die without a Will – ultimately leaving them homeless.

Having a valid Louisiana Will can save you and your spouse from undue confusion and stress in the event of your passing.

Perkins Road Notary has the forms and documents you need to create your Will and other Estate Planning documents online.

Get started by CLICKING HERE or contact us today and have one of our Louisiana Notaries assist you with all of your estate planning needs.

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Thea R. Scott is a Louisiana Notary. Contact her today for all of your Will and Estate Planning needs.