Successions & Estates Archives - Milling Benson Woodward L.L.P.

The Small Succession in Louisiana

The Small Succession in Louisiana

In Louisiana, the law provides for a “small succession” which is equivalent to a small estate succession. This is a simplified legal process when the deceased person’s estate in Louisiana has a total value of assets below a certain threshold. A small succession could also apply to a person who died with a will but […]

Forced Heirship under Louisiana Law: Limited Circumstances

Forced Heirship under Louisiana Law

By Shannon Howard-Eldridge Under existing Louisiana law, there are only limited circumstances under which a certain portion of a deceased’s estate (assets) is reserved for certain descendants of the deceased. A person may be a “forced heir” due to age or disability. In some instances, grandchildren and perhaps even more remote descendants of a deceased […]

Why You Should Plan Your Estate Now

Plan Your Estate

If you are like most people, you probably don’t like to think about what will happen to your assets and your loved ones after you die. However, estate planning is not something you should put off or ignore. Estate planning is the process of creating a legal plan that specifies how you want your property, […]

Estate Planning (Generally)

Planning your estate is no exciting task, but with a knowledgeable lawyer and some guidance, the process can be fairly short and sweet. Estate planning is something that most people don’t like to think about, but we’ve all heard a loved one or a TV commercial explain how important it is. Just like with anything […]

Dear Clients,

After 130 years of practicing law in the State of Louisiana, the law firm of Milling Benson Woodware, L.L.P. has closed its practice of law and will cease providing professional services, effective as of 5 PM, February 18, 2026. After that time the firm will no longer represent you or other clients in any matters, cases or files.

Contact Your Attorney

To ensure your legal matters are handled without interruption, it is necessary for you to contact the individual attorney that previously handled your file or retain new counsel as soon as possible. If you have not already been contacted by your attorney for the continued handling of your files, you may contact our office before March 27, 2026, and we will attempt to put you in touch with the attorney that previously handled your file. Some of the attorneys previously with the firm will continue to practice elsewhere, and you should reach out to them or your new attorney as soon as possible.

File Retrieval by March 27, 2026

If you believe that we have any of your client files still in our possession they will be available for transfer to you or your attorney on or before March 27, 2026. If you want us to see if a file is available for transfer to you or your attorney, please reply to this email and provide written authorization to make the transfer, including the name and address (or other contact information) of your lawyer. If you prefer to personally take possession of your files, you may pick up your file at our office located at 68031 Capital Trace Row, Mandeville, LA 70471, on or before March 27, 2026.

After March 27, 2026, we will promptly proceed with arranging for the destruction of any files (other than Last Wills) not transferred to an attorney or picked up by you (or our representative) from our office. The files not transferred will be destroyed by shredding to protect all confidential information. Since the firm is going out of business, we will have no office location available to further store client files.

The Last Wills and Testaments in our possession will be transferred to Kayla Martynenko, Attorney in Mandeville, LA, who can be reached by email at kayla@legacylitigator.com. Ms. Martynenko will be attempting to reach out to those who signed Last Wills for which she takes possession. Let her know if you want another attorney to take possession of your Last Will or if you want to pick up the Last Will from her office.

Should you need additional information or want to arrange to pick up your file, you may contact our office manager, Vicky Cochran, by e-mail at vcochran@millinglaw.com or by calling Vicky Cochran at (985) 292-2015. Be sure to contact Vicky by 5 PM, March 27, 2026, to arrange for transfer of your files.

We thank you for the opportunity to have served your legal needs and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
MILLING BENSON WOODWARD L.L.P
C. Randall Loewen Managing Partner / Liquidator