Wills by state
How to Make a Will in Louisiana
What Louisiana law requires for a valid will, how signing works, and the details that trip people up — in plain English.
Louisiana will requirements at a glance
16+
Louisiana allows wills from age 16 — younger than the usual 18.
2 witnesses
A Louisiana notarial testament is signed before two witnesses AND a notary, all present together.
Required
The notary is part of executing a notarial testament — not optional.
Built in
A notarial testament is self-proving by its nature: a compliant one “does not need to be proved” — on presentation the court orders it filed and executed (C.C.P. art. 2891).
Recognized
An unwitnessed will in your own handwriting can be valid — but holographic wills are the most-contested kind. A properly witnessed will is far safer.
Yes
Property acquired during marriage generally belongs to both spouses. Your will controls your half — worth understanding before deciding who gets what.
Signing your will in Louisiana
- 1
Put your wishes in writing
Decide who inherits, who serves as your personal representative (executor), and who would care for minor children. Our guided questions walk you through every decision.
- 2
Gather two witnesses and a notary
All of you sign together in one sitting — you, both witnesses, and the notary, each in the others' presence, with the attestation Louisiana law requires. Your documents from us include it.
- 3
Store it well and tell your executor
Keep the signed original somewhere safe and findable — a fireproof box at home beats a bank safe-deposit box your family can't open. Tell your executor where it is.
Louisiana specifics worth knowing
Louisiana follows civil law and does things differently. The standard form is the notarial testament (Civil Code art. 1577): signed before a notary AND two witnesses, with a specific attestation clause — the notary is part of execution itself, not an optional extra. Documents reference your parish rather than county, and Louisiana's forced heirship rules can guarantee a share of your estate to children 23 or younger or with permanent disabilities, regardless of what the will says. An olographic (handwritten) testament is also recognized.
Louisiana will FAQs
Does a will need to be notarized in Louisiana?
Yes — Louisiana's standard will, the notarial testament, is signed before a notary and two witnesses together. This is different from every other state, where notarization is optional.
Can I write my own will in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana recognizes holographic (handwritten, unwitnessed) wills, and you can also create a typed, witnessed will yourself — no lawyer is required. That said, holographic wills are the most frequently contested kind. A guided, properly witnessed will costs little and is far harder to challenge.
What happens if I die without a will in Louisiana?
Your estate passes under Louisiana's intestacy laws — a fixed priority list (usually spouse first, then children, then parents, then siblings). Unmarried partners, stepchildren, friends, and charities receive nothing under these defaults, and the court chooses your estate's administrator and your minor children's guardian without your input.
How much does a will cost in Louisiana?
An attorney-drafted will in Louisiana typically runs several hundred to a few thousand dollars. With Plan Your After you build your complete estate plan — will, trust, powers of attorney, living will, and HIPAA authorization — free, and pay $149 only when you're ready to finalize and download, including a year of unlimited updates.
This page is general information about Louisiana law, not legal advice, and laws change. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.
Louisiana estate planning
Build your Louisiana will free
Answer guided questions and watch your will take shape — with Louisiana's signing requirements built in. $149 when you're ready to finalize, including a year of updates.
Free to start — no credit card required