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Louisiana Succession Value Calculator

Louisiana is the only civil-law state in the country. There's no joint tenancy with right of survivorship here, and even a married couple's community property still needs a succession proceeding to clear title. Check each asset below to see what actually counts toward the succession estate.

La. Civ. Code art. 890, art. 1570, La. R.S. § 6:766.1 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · Reviewed 2026 · How we calculate

What's in this estate?

For each asset the person owned, enter its value and how it's titled. We'll sort each one into the Louisiana succession estate or outside it.

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Louisiana succession estate (what the court oversees)
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Is this small enough for the affidavit? →
Facing probate in Louisiana?

A local probate attorney can review your estate — many offer a free consultation.

Talk to a Louisiana attorney

No joint tenancy, and community property still needs a judgment of possession

Louisiana does not recognize joint tenancy with right of survivorship for real property at all. Co-owners hold immovable property in indivision, and a deceased co-owner's share passes to their heirs or legatees through succession — never automatically to a surviving co-owner. Even a married couple's community property doesn't skip succession outright: the surviving spouse keeps their own half, but the deceased spouse's half still needs a succession proceeding, ending in a judgment of possession, before title is officially cleared. See our full breakdown of Louisiana community property and usufruct rules.

No transfer-on-death deed — and it's not just a missing statute

Louisiana's Civil Code draws a firm line: a transfer effective at death can only be made through a valid testament. A deed simply isn't a testament under Louisiana law, so it can't accomplish a death-effective transfer of real property, no matter how it's worded. See our full explanation of why Louisiana has no TOD deed, including the two tools Louisiana owners actually use instead.

Bank accounts and securities get their own beneficiary designations

Since 2016, Louisiana bank accounts can carry a P.O.D. or TOD beneficiary designation, and since 2022, securities can be registered in TOD form too. See our guide to Louisiana beneficiary and P.O.D. accounts.

Where this feeds into other Louisiana calculators

The succession-estate total from this tool is the starting point for Louisiana's succession cost and executor fee calculators, and for checking Louisiana's small succession affidavit eligibility. Louisiana has no state estate or inheritance tax, so this total doesn't feed into a separate state tax calculation.

Louisiana succession value — frequently asked questions

Does jointly owned real estate skip succession in Louisiana?

No. Louisiana does not recognize joint tenancy with right of survivorship for real property. Co-owners hold the property in indivision, and a deceased co-owner's undivided interest passes to their heirs or legatees through succession, not automatically to the surviving co-owner.

Does community property skip succession for a surviving spouse in Louisiana?

Not entirely. The surviving spouse already owns their own half of the community property, but the deceased spouse's half still requires a succession proceeding, ending in a judgment of possession, before title is officially cleared — even though the surviving spouse may hold a usufruct over that half in the meantime.

Does Louisiana have a transfer on death deed?

No. Louisiana is a civil-law state, and under its Civil Code a transfer effective at death can only be made through a valid testament — a deed is not a testament, so it cannot accomplish a death-effective transfer of real property.

What is forced heirship in Louisiana?

Louisiana is the only state with forced heirship rules. Certain descendants — children under 24, or of any age if permanently incapacitated — are forced heirs entitled to a protected portion of the estate regardless of what a will says.

What can a Louisiana homeowner use to avoid succession on real estate?

The two main tools are a revocable living trust under the Louisiana Trust Code, or a lifetime donation of the property with the donor reserving a usufruct — since the ownership transfer already happens during life, the property passes to the donee automatically at death without a succession proceeding.

Louisiana succession value tools & guides

Louisiana Community Property & UsufructWhy marriage doesn't skip succession Why Louisiana Has No TOD DeedA civil-law rule, not just a missing law Louisiana Beneficiary AccountsP.O.D., life insurance, retirement accounts Louisiana Small Succession CheckerIs this estate small enough for the affidavit? Louisiana Succession Cost CalculatorWhat full succession would cost on this total Louisiana Succession vs Living TrustWould a trust have avoided this?

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Figures are based on Louisiana statute (La. Civ. Code art. 890, art. 1570, La. R.S. § 6:766.1) verified per our methodology. How a specific asset is actually classified depends on its full paperwork, account agreement, or deed language, and Louisiana's civil-law rules differ significantly from other states. Confirm with the parish Clerk of Court or a licensed Louisiana attorney before acting.