Last Will and Testament in Louisiana
A simple will form for straightforward estates. A will is valid only if it is signed and witnessed exactly as your state requires (below); one that is not executed correctly may be ignored by the court. Larger estates, blended families, trusts for minor children or business interests are worth a lawyer's review.
What Louisiana law says
| Requirements for a valid will | Louisiana calls a will a 'testament.' A person 16 or older may make a testament, and must be able to understand generally the nature and consequences of the disposition. A notarial testament must be in writing, dated, and signed by the testator, two witnesses, and a notary, executed before the notary in the presence of the two witnesses. The signature and date may appear anywhere in the document. A witness cannot be insane, blind, under 16, or unable to sign his or her name. Louisiana's testament-form rules were rewritten by Acts 2025, No. 30 (effective August 1, 2025), which dropped the attestation-clause and every-page-signing requirements for validity. Those steps now matter for making the testament self-proving. Capacity: https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=108796 and https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=108797; witnesses: https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=108907. |
|---|---|
| Self-proving affidavit | A notarial testament needs no further proof in court if it is signed on each page and includes a declaration, signed by the notary and witnesses, that the testator declared it to be his testament and signed each page. The same declaration may instead be made in a separate affidavit signed by the notary and witnesses after the testament was signed. Otherwise, the testament is proved by testimony (or affidavits) of the notary and witnesses. Added by Acts 2025, No. 30, effective August 1, 2025. Source: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 2887 |
| Handwritten (holographic) wills | Yes. Louisiana calls it an 'olographic testament.' It must be entirely written, dated, and signed in the testator's own handwriting; no witnesses or notary are needed. The signature and date may appear anywhere in the document. Later additions or deletions count only if made in the testator's handwriting. Source: La. Civ. Code art. 1575 |
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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF [your full name]
I, [your full name], of [city, county and state], being of sound mind, make this my will and revoke all earlier wills and codicils.
1. Executor. I name [executor name] as personal representative (executor). If they cannot serve, I name [alternate executor name].
2. Specific gifts. I give [item or amount] to [beneficiary name].
3. Everything else. I give the rest of my property to [beneficiaries and shares]. If a beneficiary does not survive me by 30 days, their share goes to [alternate beneficiary].
4. Guardian. If I have minor children, I name [guardian name] as guardian, and [alternate guardian name] as alternate.
Signed on [date signed] at [city and state]. Signature: ____________________
Witnesses: we signed below in the presence of the person making this will and of each other, as required by state law. Witness 1: [witness 1 name and address] ____________ Witness 2: [witness 2 name and address] ____________
[Notary or self-proving affidavit, if your state provides one]
Last Will and Testament for other states · Louisiana tenant rights
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.