Experienced Covington Succession Attorney

Losing someone you love is hard enough without feeling lost in the Louisiana legal system on top of it. As your Covington succession attorney, Charlton ‘Chink’ Ogden provides clear, steady guidance through every step of the process, from the initial paperwork to the final Judgment of Possession. Whether your family is dealing with a straightforward estate or something more complicated, Charlton handles each case personally, ensuring a smooth and legally sound transfer of property to the rightful heirs or legatees. If you need to file at the 22nd Judicial District Court in Covington, he knows exactly how to get it done.

What Is a Succession in Louisiana?

If you’ve never dealt with one before, the word “succession” can sound like legal jargon — but the concept is pretty straightforward. In Louisiana, a succession is simply the legal process of transferring a deceased person’s assets to their heirs or beneficiaries. Most other states call this “probate,” but Louisiana follows its own Civil Code, which means the rules are a little different here than anywhere else in the country.

When someone passes away in Louisiana — whether they had a will or not — their estate generally has to go through the succession process before property, bank accounts, or other assets can be legally transferred. That might mean a formal court proceeding at the 22nd Judicial District Court in Covington, or it might qualify for a simpler route like a Small Succession Affidavit. The right path depends on the size of the estate, whether a valid will exists, and the nature of the assets involved.

Louisiana also has unique laws around forced heirship and usufruct that don’t exist in most other states. Forced heirship gives certain children a legal right to a portion of a parent’s estate regardless of what the will says. Usufruct gives a surviving spouse the right to use and enjoy property that technically passes to the children. These rules can catch families off guard if they’re not handled carefully — and they’re one of the main reasons it pays to work with an attorney who actually knows Louisiana succession law inside and out.

Navigating the Louisiana Succession Process in St. Tammany Parish

Louisiana handles inheritance differently than most states. What other states call “probate,” Louisiana calls a succession, and it operates under the Louisiana Civil Code, which has its own distinct set of rules, timelines, and requirements. If you’ve never been through it before, the process can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re grieving.

That’s where having an experienced Covington succession attorney in your corner makes a real difference. Charlton guides families through each critical step, including:

Interpreting Louisiana Intestacy Laws: Determining who inherits when no will exists, based on Louisiana’s default rules of succession.
Validating a Last Will and Testament: Making sure the decedent’s wishes are properly documented and legally recognized by the Covington court.
Judgment of Possession: Obtaining the court order needed to transfer bank accounts, real property, and other assets to the rightful heirs, as efficiently as possible.

The goal is always to move your family through this process as smoothly and cost-effectively as possible, while protecting against disputes among heirs that can drag things out unnecessarily.

Types of Successions We Handle in Louisiana

No two estates are exactly alike. As your Covington succession attorney, Chink Ogden analyzes your specific situation to identify the most efficient path forward under the Louisiana Civil Code. Ogden Law regularly handles:

Testate Successions: Estates where the decedent left a valid Last Will and Testament that needs to be recognized and administered by the court.
Intestate Successions: Situations where no will exists, requiring navigation of Louisiana’s default inheritance laws to determine who inherits and in what shares.
Small Succession Affidavits: For qualifying estates valued under $125,000, this streamlined option can often bypass a formal court proceeding entirely, saving your family significant time and expense.
Successions Without Administration: When heirs are in agreement and the estate carries no debts, it’s often possible to move directly to the Judgment of Possession, skipping the full administration process and reducing court costs at the 22nd JDC.
Ancillary Successions: Helping out-of-state families transfer Louisiana real estate or mineral rights owned by a non-resident decedent (a situation with its own unique set of legal requirements).

Affordable Solutions: Small Succession Affidavits

A full court proceeding isn’t always necessary. For estates valued at $125,000 or less, the Louisiana Small Succession Affidavit offers a faster, more affordable alternative that can often sidestep much of the formal process at the St. Tammany Clerk of Court. When an estate qualifies, this approach can save your family real money and get things resolved in a fraction of the time a traditional succession would take. Chink will assess your situation upfront and let you know whether this option is on the table-no guesswork, no surprises.

The Role of a Covington Succession Attorney in the 22nd JDC

Filing a succession correctly isn’t just about paperwork, it’s about knowing the specific local rules and procedures of the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court and the 22nd Judicial District Court. A misstep in the initial Petition, or an oversight involving Louisiana’s forced heirship or usufruct laws, can cloud a property title for years and cost a family far more to untangle than it would have cost to do it right the first time.

Charlton’s office is located right in Covington, which means he works with the 22nd JDC regularly. He knows the filing requirements, the local procedures, and the clerks — and that familiarity translates directly into faster, smoother results for his clients. From the initial Petition all the way through the final Judgment of Possession, Charlton handles every piece of the process so you can focus on your family.

Serving Covington and the Entire Northshore

Ogden Law is based right here in Covington, which means Charlton knows the 22nd JDC inside and out — the local rules, the filing procedures, the clerks, the judges. That familiarity with the St. Tammany Parish court system isn’t something you get from a large regional firm that handles your case remotely. It comes from years of showing up, filing cases, and building relationships in the same community where his clients live.

Charlton regularly works with families throughout the Northshore — Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, Abita Springs, Folsom, Lacombe, and beyond. Whether you’re dealing with a straightforward estate or a more complicated situation involving real property, mineral rights, or out-of-state assets, he approaches every case with the same level of care and attention.

This isn’t a high-volume, churn-and-burn operation. When you hire Ogden Law, you work directly with Charlton from start to finish — no passing off to paralegals, no wondering who’s actually handling your case. That personal approach matters when you’re navigating something as important as a loved one’s estate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an attorney to handle a succession in Louisiana?

Technically, Louisiana law doesn’t require you to hire an attorney for every succession. But it’s rarely a good idea to go without one. Louisiana’s succession laws are complex — forced heirship rules, usufruct rights, and strict court filing requirements can create title problems down the road if the paperwork isn’t done correctly. A mistake in the initial Petition or Judgment of Possession can cloud property titles for years. Most families find that working with an experienced Covington succession attorney saves them far more in time, cost, and headaches than going it alone.

How long does a succession take in Louisiana?

It depends on the complexity of the estate. A simple succession without administration — where heirs agree, there are no debts, and assets are straightforward — can sometimes be completed in a matter of weeks at the 22nd JDC. More complex estates involving disputes among heirs, real property issues, or creditor claims can take several months. A Small Succession Affidavit, for qualifying estates under $125,000, is typically the fastest route and can often be resolved without a formal court proceeding.

What happens if someone dies without a will in Louisiana?

This is called an intestate succession. Louisiana’s Civil Code determines who inherits and in what shares when no valid will exists. The order of inheritance follows a specific hierarchy — descendants first, then parents and siblings, then more distant relatives. The surviving spouse may have usufruct rights over community property even if they’re not the primary heir. These default rules don’t always match what the deceased person would have wanted, which is exactly why estate planning matters so much.

What is a Small Succession Affidavit?

A Small Succession Affidavit is a streamlined legal option available in Louisiana when the total value of the deceased person’s estate is $125,000 or less. Instead of going through a full court proceeding, heirs can often use this affidavit to transfer assets — like bank accounts or a vehicle — directly. It’s faster, less expensive, and doesn’t require a Judgment of Possession from the court. Not every estate qualifies, but when it does, it can save families significant time and legal costs.

What Covington Families Are Saying

5 Over 58 Reviews

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Lance Morello 2 weeks ago

Excellent experience working with Ogden Law. He put together our estate through a simple and efficient process. Highly recommend!

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Delitha Lane 4 weeks ago

I have know Charlton for over 30 years! He is honest, trustoworthy , and an expert in the field of law regarding wills, power of attorney. Probate and Estates. He is also a very caring individual. . I have trusted him with this part of my planning and I highly recommend him for your consideration.

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Shirley Pettijohn 1 month ago

My husband and I were looking for someone to help us with estate planning. We went to Ogden's Law and met with Mr. Ogden who explained everything in detail and guided us through the process with ease. Something we had put off way to long is now finally finished and we feel so relieved. Mr. Ogden is very professional, respectable, honest and trustworthy. We are very pleased we went to Mr. Ogden and finally got this taken care of.

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Ginger 2 months ago

Our experience with Mr. Ogden was very professional and positive. He took care of our concerns and answered every question with clarity and in a way we could understand. We will definitely use his legal services for future needs. Highly recommend!

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yzthumpa 3 months ago

My wife and I had the pleasure of utilizing Mr. Ogden’s services at Ogden Law for Estate Planning. It was an incredibly easy and expedient process, and very affordable as well! We had put this off for years, but were very thankful to find Mr. Ogden to finally guide us through this process. We highly recommend him - a true gentleman and expert at his profession!

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Clarence Mac 5 months ago

Charlton Ogden very personable and knowledgeable attorney, his estimate of his fees was accurate, and we are more than satisfied with his work.

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R.Rougelot 5 months ago

Mr. Ogden exemplifies professionalism, patience, and persistence with his clients.

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Betty Holmes 5 months ago

I am 91 and knew my Will was not quite, but almost, as I wanted it to be. These thoughts would haunt me mostly at nights. I eventually contacted Charlton Ogden, who help me with my original will. After revisions and many back and forth e-mails, he came through with the changes I wanted and just how I wanted my Will to read. I feel at peace now. Forever grateful to Mr. Charlton Ogden.

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Charles Harrell 5 months ago

I recently worked with Mr. Ogden to prepare my will and handle my estate planning, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the experience. He took the time to listen carefully to my goals, explain every step in plain language, and make sure I understood all of my options. The process was organized, efficient, and surprisingly stress-free. My family has trusted him for years to help us.

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Richard Towner 6 months ago

After the passing of my wife, I knew that I needed to have certain documents drawn to settle her estate. I did not know a lawyer, so I executed an online search and after reading many reviews I decided on Ogden Law.

During the first and subsequent meetings with Mr. Ogden, it became apparent that he was an experienced attorney and knew what needed to be done. His knowledge of procedure and the law made a process that I had been dreading easier.

I was so satisfied with his work on the succession that I had Mr. Ogden prepare additional documents for me. These documents were also prepared in a timely manner and at what I consider a fair price. I now consider Charlton Ogden my attorney and will consult with him for all my legal needs.

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Ready to talk through your succession?

Losing someone is hard enough. The last thing your family needs is to feel lost in the legal process on top of it. Charlton ‘Chink’ Ogden has been helping Covington and Northshore families navigate successions for decades, and he’s ready to help yours.

Call Ogden Law at 985-892-8592 or fill out the form below to schedule a consultation at the Covington office. There’s no obligation, no legal jargon, and no pressure, just a straightforward conversation about your situation and your options.