DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 129 Reengrossed 2017 Regular Session Davis
Abstract: Modifies the definition of a small succession, and provides that court costs in successions
valued at less than $75,000 shall be ½ of costs in similar proceedings in larger successions.
Present law provides that a decedent's property must have a gross value of $75,000 or less to qualify
as a small succession.
Proposed law increases the gross value of a decedent's property from $75,000 to $125,000 to qualify
as a small succession.
Present law also defines a small succession as a succession involving property of any value if the
filing of the small succession affidavit occurs at least 25 years after the date of the decedent's death.
Proposed law changes present law to define a small succession as property of any value if the filing
of the small succession affidavit occurs at least 20 years after the date of the decedent's death.
Present law provides for court costs and commissions in small succession judicial proceedings.
Proposed law replaces the term "commissions" with "compensation" for consistency purposes in the
law.
Proposed law amends present law to provide that for successions valued at less than $75,000 the
court costs shall be ½ the costs in similar proceedings in larger successions.
(Amends C.C.P. Arts. 3421 and 3422)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure to the
original bill:
1. Decrease the gross value of a decedent's property in proposed law from $150,000
to $125,000 to qualify as a small succession.
2. Provide that court costs for successions valued at less than $75,000 are ½ the court costs
in similar proceedings in larger successions. Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Change the term "commissions" to "compensation".