News & Updates
Plain-language notes on Louisiana and Mississippi law, legislative changes, and firm news — from the desk of Stephen C. Aertker, Jr.
Recent posts.
What Is a Louisiana Succession, and Do I Need One?
A plain-language walk through what a succession is, testate vs. intestate, the judgment of possession, when a full administration is needed, and small successions.
Community Property in a Louisiana Divorce: What Actually Gets Split
Community vs. separate property, where the line blurs, how debts and reimbursement claims work, and how the estate is partitioned when a marriage ends.
Forced Heirship in Louisiana, Explained
Louisiana’s distinctive rule: who qualifies as a forced heir, the forced portion (legitime), how it limits what you can give away, and planning around it.
Louisiana Medical Malpractice: The Medical Review Panel and the Damages Cap
The mandatory pre-suit panel, the statutory damages cap, the Patient’s Compensation Fund, and the short, idiosyncratic deadlines that govern these claims.
What Changed in Louisiana Successions in 2025 (and What Didn’t)
Refined testament formalities, streamlined probate, expanded notary authority, and new limits on no-contest clauses — plus the forced-heirship rumor that, once again, isn’t true.
Your Child Turns 18 and Heads to College. Here’s What the Law Just Did.
HIPAA and FERPA quietly cut parents out the day a child turns 18. The simple set of documents that fixes it before move-in day.
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