When a person dies without a will or their will is determined to be invalid, his or her estate passes to the heirs or certain family members by intestate succession. Each state has its own intestate laws, in Louisiana, the following apply:
If you have children, but no spouse, your children will inherit everything in equal portions.
If you have children, siblings and/or parents, but no spouse, your children will inherit everything in equal portions.
If you have a spouse, but no parents, siblings or children, your spouse will inherit everything.
If you have parents, but no spouse, children or siblings, your parents will inherit everything.
If you have siblings, but no spouse, children or parents, your siblings will inherit everything in equal portions.
If you have a spouse and children, your spouse will get usufruct over or the right to use your share of the community property while he or she is alive. Your children will inherit your separate property and your share of community property, subject to your surviving spouse’s right to use it for life.
If you have a spouse and parents, but no children or siblings, your spouse will inherit your community property and your parents will inherit your separate property.
If you have a spouse and siblings, but no children or parents, your spouse will inherit your community property and your siblings will inherit your separate property – divided in equal portions.
If you have siblings and parents, but spouse or children, your siblings will inherit everything but your parents get usufruct over or the right to use your property while they are alive.