In Louisiana, if you die intestate, (without a will), your portion of your home is not passed to your surviving spouse. In Louisiana, your home is left to your heirs, regardless of their age, which can place many surviving spouses in a bind as they mourn the loss of their loved one.
Foster children and stepchildren are not considered heirs which means if you die, the child you have been raising since he/she was 2 is not entitled to your half of the estate unless you have it in your will.
HEIRS ARE CONSIDERED.... (in order) Children Siblings Parents
***Really wild thing is.... Orleans Parish is governed by their own set of laws versus other Parishes, meaning, just because NOLA follows a specific law, does not reflect how other communities balance the scales of justice in their Parish.