About Letters
A court-issued certificate confirming the appointment of an administrator, curator, trustee, or executor for an estate.
When you'd use it: After a petition for appointment has been approved by the judge, to provide official evidence of the appointee's authority to act on behalf of the estate.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Letters is published as a PDF by the Louisiana courts. We checked this link and it resolved to a form on an official court or government website — always download the current version directly from the source rather than a third-party copy:
Verified official PDF
Source: orleanscivildistrictcourt.org
Link last checked: May 31, 2026
How to file Letters in Louisiana
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Letters (Form 16 (rev. 06/21)) when after a petition for appointment has been approved by the judge, to provide official evidence of the appointee's authority to act on behalf of the estate. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — Louisiana probate forms are revised periodically, so verify the name and number against your court's current form list before you start.
- Step 2 — Complete every required fieldFill out Letters carefully and review it for errors before filing. Probate cases can already take months — a small mistake on the form can set your timeline back further.
- Step 3 — Get it notarized or witnessed if requiredSome probate forms must be signed in front of a notary or witnesses. Check the instructions on the form itself, and arrange notarization before you file if it's required.
- Step 4 — File it with the correct courtSubmit Letters to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the Louisiana county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).