Estate plan
Louisiana
Everything to plan your estate in Louisiana: execution requirements, the documents we generate, statutory citations, and the exact wording our generators insert.
Will
2W + N
Trust
2W + N
POA
2W + N
HC Directive
2W
E-will
Not adopted
RON
Not for estate docs
Authorized 2020, not for wills
ROW
Not allowed
Remote online witnessing
Community property
Yes
Minimum age
16
Louisiana minimum
Will
Witnesses: 2 required
Two witnesses required for notarial will (must be signed before licensed notary)
Notarization: Required
Required for valid execution
Holographic will: Valid
Handwritten wills without witnesses are recognized in Louisiana
Self-proving affidavit: Available
Allows the will to be admitted to probate without witness testimony
State-specific notes
Living Trust
Witnesses: 2 required
Inter vivos trust must be created by authentic act or private signature executed before 2 witnesses and acknowledged by the settlor (La. R.S. 9:1752)
Notarization: Required
Required for valid trust execution
State-specific notes
Durable Power of Attorney
Witnesses: 2 required
Louisiana requires 2 witnesses for power of attorney execution
Notarization: Required
Notarization is required for a valid durable power of attorney
State-specific notes
Living Will Declaration
La. R.S. 40:1151.1 et seq.
Witnesses: 2 required
Two witnesses required. La. R.S. 40:1151.1 et seq.
Notarization: Not required
Notarization is not required but may be accepted
State-specific notes
6 more documents with Will.com Plus
$29/year unlocks the documents below alongside the four free ones above. Your answers and documents are saved privately to your account, encrypted in your browser, so you can revise them any time life changes.
Notarial Designation of Agent for Disposition of Remains
Names the agent who controls funeral, burial, or cremation decisions, with optional preferences.
In this state: Louisiana recognizes a statutory Notarial Designation of Agent for Disposition of Remains; we follow that form. (La. R.S. 8:655)
HIPAA Authorization
Stand-alone PHI release that survives death for the period you specify, separate from the in-life authorization in your healthcare directive.
Nomination of Conservator
Pre-nominates the person you want a court to appoint if a conservator (or guardian of the estate) is ever needed.
Business Succession Declaration
Identifies your interests in any closely-held businesses and how they should be transferred or wound down.
Real-Estate Retitling Checklist
Step-by-step instructions for transferring real-property deeds into your trust so the trust actually controls those assets.
Letter of Instruction
Non-binding personal note to your executor and family: where to find documents, account access, funeral wishes, and other practical guidance.
Free vs. Plus
Community property
Louisiana is a community property state. Assets acquired during marriage are jointly owned by both spouses. This affects every document in your estate plan.
Married couples should consider how community property rules interact with their will, trust, power of attorney, and healthcare directive to ensure consistent coverage.
Electronic will status
Louisiana has not adopted electronic will legislation. A traditional paper will with physical signatures is required.
Digital assets access
Louisiana has not adopted RUFADAA. Executor access to digital accounts may be limited by each provider’s terms of service. Consult a local attorney for guidance on digital asset planning.
Remote online notarization (RON)
Louisiana authorized RON in 2020. Louisiana's Online Notarial Acts Act (La. R.S. 35:621 et seq., effective 2020) authorizes RON only for notarial acts that are not excluded by R.S. 35:623. R.S. 35:623 excludes from RON: testaments and codicils (notarial wills), donations inter vivos, authentic acts conveying or encumbering immovable property, matrimonial agreements, acts of trust, and any other authentic act required by the Civil Code to be in authentic-act form. The Will.com Plus Mandate (durable POA) is drafted to be executed in authentic-act form under La. Civ. Code Arts. 1833 and 2993; because the execution block is titled 'Authentic Act' on its face, R.S. 35:623(C) bars RON regardless of which express powers are granted or struck through. The Mandate must be executed in person before a Louisiana-licensed notary and two competent witnesses.
Will
Not allowed
Trust
Not allowed
POA
Not allowed
Remote online witnessing (ROW)
Louisiana does not allow remote online witnessing for estate planning documents. Witnesses must be physically present when you sign.
Will
Not allowed
Trust
Not allowed
POA
Not allowed
HC Directive
Not allowed
This information is general in nature and not legal advice. Laws change. Consult a licensed estate planning attorney in Louisiana for guidance specific to your situation.