from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
RAPPORT A SUCCESSION. A French term used in Louisiana, which is somewhat
similar in its meaning to our homely term hotchpot. It is the reunion to the
mass of the succession, of the things given by the deceased ancestor to his
heir, in order that the whole may be divided among the do-heirs.
2. The obligation to make the rapport has a triple foundation. 1. It is
to be presumed that the deceased intended in making an advancement, to give
only a portion of the inheritance. 2. It establishes the equality of a
division, at least, with regard to the children of the same parent, who all
have an equal right to the succession. 3. It preserves in families that
harmony, which is always disturbed by unjust favors to one who has only an
equal right. Dall. Dict. h.t. See Advancement; Collation; Hotchpot.