Article I - Family and Identification
- I am currently [[married to [[Spouse Full Name]] / not married]].
- My living children are: [[Full names, birth dates, and relationship of each child]].
- If any child of mine has predeceased me leaving issue, such issue shall represent their parent per stirpes.
Article II - Payment of Debts, Funeral Expenses, and Administration
I direct my Executor to pay all my just debts, funeral and burial expenses, expenses of last illness, and reasonable costs of administration as soon as practicable after my death, without the necessity of court authorization where permitted by law.
Article III - Specific Legacies and Bequests
I give, devise, and bequeath the following:
- To [[Specific Legatee 1 Full Name]], if living, my [[describe jewelry, vehicle, real property, or cash sum $[[Amount]]]] located at [[address if real property]].
- To [[Specific Legatee 2]], the sum of $[[Cash Amount]].
- To [[Charitable Organization]], if qualified, the sum of $[[Amount]] for its general purposes.
If any specific legatee predeceases me, the legacy lapses into the residuary estate unless a contrary intention is expressed.
Article IV - Residuary Estate
All the rest, residue, and remainder of my property and estate, real, personal, and mixed, I give, devise, and bequeath to [[Primary Residuary Legatee(s) Full Name(s)]] in the following proportions: [[e.g., 50% to spouse, 25% to child A, 25% to child B]].
If any residuary legatee does not survive me by 30 days, that legatee's share shall pass to the legatee's then living descendants per stirpes, or if none, to the surviving residuary legatees in proportion.
Article V - Appointment of Executor and Powers
I appoint [[Executor Full Legal Name]] as Executor of this Will. If unable or unwilling to serve, I appoint [[Alternate Executor]] as successor.
The Executor shall have seizin of my estate and shall have all powers granted by the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure and Civil Code, including but not limited to:
- Full power to sell, mortgage, lease, or exchange any property of the estate at public or private sale, with or without notice, and without court order where permitted.
- Power to invest and reinvest estate funds in any prudent investments.
- Power to compromise, settle, or litigate claims.
- Power to make distributions in cash or in kind at values determined by the Executor.
- Power to employ attorneys, accountants, and other professionals and pay reasonable compensation.
No bond or security shall be required of the Executor or any successor.
Article VI - Guardian for Minor Children
If any of my children are minors at my death and my spouse does not survive me or is unable to act, I appoint [[Guardian Full Name]] as guardian of the person and tutor of the property of such minors. If unable, [[Alternate Guardian]] shall serve.
The guardian shall have all authority granted under Louisiana law for the care, custody, education, and property management of the minors.
Article VII - Trust Provisions for Minors or Incapacitated Persons
If any legatee is under the age of twenty-five (25) or is incapacitated at the time of distribution, the Executor may distribute that legatee's share to a trustee to hold in a separate trust. The trustee shall have discretion to distribute income and principal for the legatee's health, education, maintenance, and support. The trust shall terminate when the legatee reaches age twenty-five or the incapacity ends, or upon earlier death, with distribution to the legatee's estate or as otherwise provided.
Article VIII - Digital Assets
My Executor is authorized to access, manage, control, and distribute my digital assets, including email, social media, cloud accounts, cryptocurrency, and other digital property, pursuant to La. R.S. 9:2601 et seq. (Louisiana's adoption of the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act) and any other applicable law.
Article IX - No-Contest Clause
If any person entitled to any benefit under this Will directly or indirectly contests, attacks, or seeks to invalidate any provision of this Will, or joins in any such proceeding, that person shall receive only the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) and no more, and the share that person would have received shall be distributed as if that person had predeceased me without surviving descendants.
Article X - Simultaneous Death
If any legatee and I die in a common disaster or under circumstances where it is impossible to determine the order of death, it shall be presumed that the legatee predeceased me.
Article XI - Execution Requirements (Louisiana Law)
This Will is executed as a [[notarial will under La. C.C. art. 1576 et seq. / attested will under La. C.C. art. 1570 et seq.]]. It is in writing and signed by me in the presence of the required number of witnesses and a notary public (or two witnesses for attested form) who also sign in my presence and in the presence of each other.
Signatures of Testator and Witnesses
Testator:
[[Testator Full Legal Name]]
Signature: _____________________________________________ Date: ___________
Witness 1:
Printed Name: [[Witness 1 Name]]
Address: [[Witness 1 Address]]
Signature: ______________________________________________
Witness 2:
Printed Name: [[Witness 2 Name]]
Address: [[Witness 2 Address]]
Signature: ______________________________________________
Notary Public (for notarial will):
Printed Name: [[Notary Name]]
Signature: ______________________________________________
Date: ___________ Commission expires: _______________
(Seal)
Article XII - Miscellaneous Provisions
- Governing Law. This Will shall be governed by the laws of the State of Louisiana, including the Louisiana Civil Code articles on successions and donations and the Code of Civil Procedure.
- Severability. If any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force.
- Headings. Headings are for convenience and do not affect interpretation.
- Tax Clause. All estate, inheritance, and transfer taxes shall be paid from the residuary estate without reimbursement from any legatee.
Article XIII - Forced Heirship Acknowledgment (Louisiana Specific)
I am aware of the Louisiana forced heirship rules under La. C.C. art. 1493 et seq. This Will is drafted to comply with or make provision for any forced heirs. If any child or descendant is a forced heir, the share provided is intended to satisfy the legitime to the extent permitted.
Article XIV - Usufruct and Naked Ownership (If Applicable)
If I am married at death, I grant to my surviving spouse the usufruct of the community property and any separate property as permitted, with naked ownership to the children or other legatees as provided above, subject to the surviving spouse's right of habitation if applicable.
Article XV - Funeral and Burial Directions
I direct that my remains be [[buried / cremated]] at [[cemetery or location]] with [[specific instructions for service or memorial]].
Full Executor Powers Addendum
In addition to the powers listed, the Executor may borrow money, grant security interests, continue any business I owned, and take any action a prudent fiduciary would take under the circumstances.
Tax and Administrative Provisions
My Executor is authorized to make any tax elections, including alternate valuation, qualified disclaimer, and allocation of GST exemption. The Executor may employ tax professionals and pay reasonable fees from the estate.
Key Information Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|-------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
| Testator | [[Testator Full Legal Name]] |
| Parish | [[Parish Name]], Louisiana |
| Executor | [[Executor Full Legal Name]] |
| Primary Residuary | [[Residuary Legatee Name(s)]] |
| Execution Date | [[Date Will Signed]] |
This Louisiana Last Will and Testament is a sample template aligned with Louisiana Civil Code requirements for wills (La. C.C. arts. 1570-1580 and related succession articles). It provides for proper identification, revocation, specific and residuary legacies, executor appointment with full powers, guardian nomination, trust provisions, digital assets authority, no-contest clause, and execution formalities (notarial or attested). Louisiana has unique forced heirship and community property rules that may affect dispositions. This is not legal advice. The testator must execute this Will with the exact formalities required by current Louisiana law (two witnesses plus notary for notarial form in most cases). Consult a Louisiana-licensed attorney to customize for your situation and ensure compliance with any updates after June 2026. Verify statutes on the Louisiana Legislature website. Information current as of June 2026.
