Covington Estate Planning
& Succession Attorney
If you are looking for a Covington Estate Planning & Succession Attorney who will actually answer the phone, Charlton “Chink” Ogden has spent decades doing exactly that. He helps families across the Northshore protect what they have built through wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and guides loved ones through the Louisiana succession process. When you work with Ogden Law, you work directly with Charlton. Not a paralegal. Not a junior associate.
Whether you are in Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, or elsewhere on the Louisiana Northshore or Greater New Orleans Metro Areas, Ogden Law is here to ensure your legal needs are met with precision.
Why Choose a Covington Estate Planning & Succession Attorney?
Estate planning and successions are deeply personal matters. Charlton knows you aren’t just dealing with paperwork. You’re protecting your family, your assets, and your peace of mind.
When you work with Ogden Law, you can expect:
One-on-one attention directly from your attorney
Clear explanations in plain English, not legal jargon
Timely communication so you’re never left in the dark
Practicing Louisiana estate and succession law since 1981
His goal is to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible while making sure your wishes are carried out exactly.
Estate Planning in Louisiana
A proper estate plan gives you control over your future and protects the people you love. Charlton helps clients build estate plans that fit their families and their property.
Wills
- A will allows you to decide who will inherit your property and ensures that your wishes are carried out under Louisiana law.
Trusts
- Trusts can help your family avoid a succession, protect assets, and provide for children or other loved ones in specific ways.
Powers of Attorney
- General and medical powers of attorney let someone you trust make financial or healthcare decisions if you are unable.
Living Will Declarations
- A living will gives your family and doctors guidance about your medical wishes in end-of-life situations. With the right planning, you can avoid unnecessary costs, delays, and stress for your loved ones.
Why Clients Choose Charlton
Every client at Ogden Law works directly with Charlton. He takes the time to understand your family and your property before recommending anything, because a plan that fits someone else’s situation won’t protect yours.
Practicing Since 1981
I’ve been practicing law since 1981, and I’ve seen firsthand how a well-drafted plan can save a family from years of conflict. I don’t just fill out forms. I make sure your plan works under the Louisiana Civil Code and in the courthouse here on the Northshore.
What Clients Say About Charlton
Client Testimonials
Handling Successions in the 22nd Judicial District Court
Filing a succession in St. Tammany Parish requires a deep understanding of the local rules at the 22nd JDC in Covington. From Madisonville to Slidell, and across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway to Metairie and New Orleans, every matter Charlton handles is prepared with the local Clerk of Court’s filing procedures in mind. Whether you are dealing with a small succession affidavit or a complex estate, Charlton brings the local knowledge it takes to move through the courthouse efficiently and protect your family’s legacy.
Confused? Not sure where to begin? Start here.
Frequently Asked Questions: Successions & Estate Planning in Covington
What is the difference between a Succession and Probate?
In most states, the court process for settling an estate is called “Probate.” In Louisiana, it’s called a succession. Clients often use the terms interchangeably, but Louisiana has its own succession rules under the state’s Civil Code. As a Covington succession attorney, I help families work through these requirements so assets transfer smoothly.
Do all estates have to go through a formal succession at the 22nd Judicial District Court?
Not necessarily. If the person died domiciled in Louisiana with an estate valued at $200,000 or less and there is no will, it may be possible to use a Small Succession Affidavit, which avoids a lengthy court process. Real estate doesn’t automatically require a formal court succession. Some estates qualify for Louisiana’s small succession affidavit procedure, which can transfer property without opening a succession in court. Whether that option is available depends on the estate’s value, whether the person left a will, and other circumstances. Charlton can help determine which procedure applies.
What happens if I die without a Will in Louisiana?
If you die “intestate” (without a will), Louisiana law (not your family) decides who inherits your property. Your spouse does not automatically inherit everything; instead, they often receive a “Usufruct” (the right to use the property), while your children receive “naked ownership” (they own the property, but someone else has the right to use it and receive its income while the usufruct lasts). Utilizing a Covington Estate Planning & Succession Attorney allows you to override these default laws and protect your spouse’s interests. For the full order of who inherits, see Louisiana intestate succession: who inherits when there’s no will.
Can a Trust help my family avoid the Covington courthouse entirely?
Yes. A properly funded Revocable Living Trust allows your assets to pass directly to your beneficiaries without the need for a public succession. This keeps your private family matters out of the public record at the 22nd JDC and often saves your heirs significant time and legal expenses.
What is a "Forced Heir" in Louisiana law?
Louisiana is the only state with “Forced Heirship.” Generally, forced heirs include children who are 23 or younger when a parent dies, as well as certain children of any age who qualify under Louisiana’s rules for mental or physical incapacity. These heirs have a legally protected share of the estate. Charlton drafts estate plans that respect these rules while giving you as much control over your property as the law allows.
Areas Served
Ogden Law LLC: Providing dedicated representation as a Covington Estate Planning & Succession Attorney for clients in Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, Abita Springs, and across the Northshore & Greater New Orleans Metro Area.
Contact Charlton
If you have questions or would like to schedule a free consultation, call, email, or use the contact form below.
Address
71206 Hendry Ave, Covington, LA 70433