2011 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 9 — Civil code-ancillaries
RS 9:2448 — Designation of attorney

§2448. Designation of attorney

A. A testator may designate in his will an attorney to handle the legal matters of his estate, to open and close the estate, and to represent the executor. The testator may also designate one or more successor attorneys in the event the designated attorney predeceases the testator or is unable or unwilling to serve or, having served, discontinues doing so for any reason or becomes at any time incapable of acting or resigns.

B. The designation of an attorney shall also be governed by the following:

(1) The designation in a testament or a codicil of an attorney or a successor attorney to handle the legal matters of the estate shall be valid and binding on the executor, or other succession representative, and the heirs and legatees.

(2) An attorney so designated may be removed as such only for just cause.

(3) An attorney for the estate shall be allowed as compensation for his services such reasonable amount as is provided in the testament in which he is appointed. In the absence of a provision for compensation in the testament, the attorney shall be allowed such reasonable amount as is provided by agreement between the attorney, the succession representative, if any, the surviving spouse, if any, and all competent heirs or legatees of the deceased. In the absence of a provision for compensation in the testament or an agreement between the parties, the attorney for the estate shall be allowed a fair and reasonable fee for services actually rendered. The court may increase the compensation upon a proper showing that the fee provided in the testament or agreed upon between the parties is inadequate.

(4) The compensation of an attorney for the estate shall be due upon the homologation of the final account. The court may allow an attorney an advance upon his compensation at any time during the administration.

Acts 1986, No. 250, §1.