Louisiana woman fights uncle over mother's estate for 13 years; court revives part of lawsuit

A Louisiana woman who accused her uncle of transferring interests in nearly 300 acres of land from her late mother's estate to himself has won another chance to pursue part of her lawsuit. The Louisiana Court of Appeal ruled on Wednesday that Jessica Gooden Walker could continue her claims concerning her uncle's handling of the estate. However, the court rejected her other claims and cancelled a $10,000 damages award she had previously received.As per the ruling, the dispute began after Walker's mother, Wilma Letitia Blake Gooden, died in 2003.

Her will placed her estate into a trust for her two daughters, who were to share its benefits equally. Wilma appointed her brother, Robert E. Blake Jr., to manage both the estate and the trust.Walker later alleged that Blake had used his position to transfer interests in several properties in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, to himself.

The properties involved nearly 300 acres of land.