⚜️ How to Set Up a Trust in Louisiana (2025 Guide)

⚜️ How to Set Up a Trust in Louisiana (2025 Guide)

Louisiana has some unique laws because of its civil law tradition, but creating a trust here is still one of the smartest ways to protect your legacy and avoid the delays of probate.

If you’re wondering how to create a trust in Louisiana — without spending thousands on legal fees — this guide will walk you through it.

🔍 What Is a Trust?

A trust is a legal agreement where a person (called the settlor) transfers ownership of assets into a legal structure, managed by a trustee for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries.

In Louisiana, you’ll often hear the term “inter vivos trust” used instead of “living trust.”

The most common type is the Revocable Living Trust, which:

✅ Avoids succession (Louisiana's version of probate)
✅ Keeps your estate private
✅ Transfers property quickly when you pass
✅ Helps you plan for illness or incapacity
✅ Still gives you control while you're alive

📍 How to Set Up a Trust in Louisiana

1. Choose the Right Trust Structure

Start with a Revocable Living Trust — the most flexible option for individuals and families.

Optional provisions to consider:

• ☐ Minor’s Subtrust

• ☐ Special Needs Subtrust

• ☐ Spendthrift Protection

• ☐ Dynasty Provisions

• ☐ Pet Trust Language

✅ TrustGenie includes these as customizable options in every package.

2. Assign the Key Roles

Louisiana law recognizes the following:

• ☐ Settlor – You (the person creating the trust)

• ☐ Trustee – Manages the trust (can be you or someone else)

• ☐ Successor Trustee – Takes over when you die or become incapacitated

• ☐ Beneficiaries – The people (or organizations) who inherit your assets

3. List and Transfer Your Assets

Assets commonly transferred to a Louisiana trust include:

• Real estate (including homesteads and rural land)

• Bank accounts

• Businesses and LLCs

• Life insurance (as policy owner or beneficiary)

• Vehicles and personal property

• Cryptocurrency and digital assets

• Oil, gas, and mineral rights (if applicable)

✅ TrustGenie provides a Schedule A and General Assignment to help you list and transfer assets properly.

4. Draft and Sign the Trust

Louisiana requires trusts to be in writing and signed in front of a notary and two witnesses.

✅ TrustGenie includes clear execution instructions to make this step easy and valid under Louisiana law.

5. Fund Your Trust

This is where most people make mistakes. A trust is worthless if it’s not funded.

To fund your Louisiana trust:

• ☐ File a Quitclaim Deed or Act of Donation to transfer real estate

• ☐ Retitle bank accounts and investments

• ☐ Assign personal items via a General Assignment

• ☐ Transfer business interests with Operating Agreement updates or stock certificates

• ☐ Update beneficiary designations as needed

🚨 If assets aren’t properly titled or assigned, they won’t avoid succession court.

⚠️ Louisiana Trust Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Using out-of-state templates that don’t comply with LA civil law
❌ Failing to notarize and witness the trust properly
❌ Leaving out mineral rights, which can delay inheritance
❌ Not informing your Successor Trustee
❌ Assuming a will does the same thing — it doesn’t

💰 How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Trust in Louisiana?

Method Cost Estimate Attorney$2,000 – $6,500+ Online Templates$100 – $400 (risky) TrustGenie$150/year (all-inclusive)

✅ Includes Louisiana-specific forms, deeds, funding guides, and instructions.

🧠 Do I Need a Lawyer to Create a Trust in Louisiana?

No. Louisiana law allows any adult to create a valid trust if:

• It’s written and signed by a competent person

• It names a trustee and at least one beneficiary

• It’s properly executed under Louisiana civil law

• It’s funded with assets

✅ TrustGenie makes all of this simple — no lawyer required unless you want one.

📎 Free Download: [Louisiana Trust Setup Checklist] (available upon request)

✅ Ready to Protect Your Legacy?

Thousands of families in Louisiana are skipping probate, avoiding court fees, and passing down wealth the smart way — with a legally sound trust.

👉 [Create Your Louisiana Trust – $150/year]

🔗 Related Articles:

• [Avoiding Succession in Louisiana]

• [How to Transfer a House into a Louisiana Trust]

• [What Happens If You Die Without a Trust in LA?]

✍️ Written by:

TrustGenie Legal Team
Helping Louisiana families plan smarter with simple estate solutions.