For 46 years, I've lived on the land that my mother cherished in Indian Bayou, Louisiana. For over two decades, I've resided next door to her, creating a lifetime of memories and roots intertwined deeply with this land. However, my mother's untimely passing before completing her Will has placed our family in a predicament. Our 8 acres of family land, along with her beloved house, are jointly owned by myself and my four siblings due to inheritance laws. My siblings, who have settled away, are demanding a sale of everything, which puts my eldest sister and me at risk of losing the home we've always known.

“This family property was purchased by my great-grandfather. My mother had the land surveyed and had placed our names on the plat we were to inherit upon her death. We were also in the midst of having her will prepared when she died unexpectedly.”
 

This is our reality, and it illustrates a broader issue faced by many families in similar situations. Forced sales of inherited properties can disrupt lives, fracture families, and erase deep connections to heritage. In Louisiana, current laws do not adequately protect co-owners who wish to preserve family land from those who prefer to sell.

We are calling for a reassessment of inheritance policies that affect co-owned property, specifically preventing forced sales when there are co-owners living on the property. Legal amendments could include a provision that allows resident co-owners the option to buy out other co-owners first, or an obligation to mutually consent to any sale.

This change could maintain family homes and ensure that heirs who wish to stay connected to their family history can do so without fear of displacement.

Join us in advocating for legislation that prioritizes the rights of resident co-owners in Indian Bayou and throughout Louisiana. With enough support, we can urge lawmakers to prevent families from losing their homes and heritage.

Help us keep our homes and our histories intact by signing this petition. Together, we can make a change.