In the U.S., forced heirship exists only in Louisiana. Louisiana law reserves a portion of the estate for forced heirs (children under 24 or with permanent disabilities). Estate planning in Louisiana requires special drafting to address this regime.
Related terms
Step-Up in Basis
A federal tax rule (IRC §1014) that resets an inherited asset's cost basis to its fair market value on the date of the original owner's death.
Probate
The court-supervised process of validating a will, paying the deceased's debts, and transferring remaining assets to heirs.
Inheritance Tax
A state-level tax paid by the heir on the value of property received from a deceased person.