What happens to Lucie?

Hersey Wautier his wife Ginger, and there 10-year-old son Michael are taking the 6-hour drive to Houston Texas to visit Ginger's mother Pearl. While driving on I-45 in Houston, they are rear ended by a speeding tanker truck. Hersey is pronounced dead at the scene, Ginger lingers for three days at the hospital before succumbing to her injuries. Michael suffered significant injuries but is expected to recover, but he will have lasting long-term effects from the accident.

Hersey was 42 and a successful author of horror novels. His income derives from royalties received from his books. He is in negotiations to have his most famous book series, "Crack Of Dawn" about the forbidden love affair between a vampire and a werewolf, turned into a series of movies on Netflix. Ginger was 40 years old and a highly orthopedic surgeon.

The Wautier's own significant amounts of real estate throughout the southern states but the vast majority of what they own is in Orleans Parish. Their main residence is in New Orleans, Michael was registered for school there and Ginger's medical practice was located there. They also have homes in Destin Florida, Miami Florida, and Houston Texas, and they own commercial property in Alabama.

The Waultier's were expecting another child a baby girl, to be born through a surrogate in approximately 4 weeks and named Lucie.

Both Hersey and Ginger left wills which essentially said the same thing

"If I predecease my spouse the I leave all that I have to my surviving spouse except for that portion reserved for my son Michael by law which is his forced portion"

Hersey's will further stated:

"If my spouse predeceases me and my son is still under the age of majority, I desire my Brother Mars Wautier, to become Tutor to my son Michael. To serve without bond."

Ginger's will states something similar:

"If my spouse predeceases me and my son is still under the age of majority, I desire my Sister Candise Chat-Noir, to become Tutor to my son Michael. To serve without bond."