Overview
Calcasieu Parish is located in Louisiana with a population of approximately 216,785. The 14th Judicial District Court handles all probate and estate matters (known as "successions" in Louisiana) for decedents who were domiciled in the parish at the time of death.
Louisiana probate is governed by the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure. The process begins with filing a Petition for Possession or Petition for Administration to admit the will (if any) and appoint a personal representative (executor or administrator). The court then issues Letters Testamentary for testate estates or Letters of Administration for intestate estates.
Louisiana offers a simplified procedure known as a Small Succession Affidavit for estates valued at $125,000 or less (or any value if the decedent has been deceased for at least 20 years), provided the decedent died intestate or the will is probated without administration.
Louisiana law sets statutory fees for executors and attorneys, often based on a percentage of the estate's value (e.g., 2.5% for executors), though these can be negotiated or set by the will.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Calcasieu Parish probate process. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for consulting a qualified attorney. Laws and local procedures may change — verify current requirements with the court.
Courthouse Information
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court
Probate matters in Calcasieu Parish are filed with the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court.
Address: 1000 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Phone: (337) 437-3550 (Probate/Civil Department)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
The Clerk of Court's office is located in the historic Calcasieu Courthouse in downtown Lake Charles. The Probate Department is part of the Civil Division.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available around the courthouse square and in nearby designated lots. Visitors must pass through security screening upon entering the building.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate (succession) is required:
- Small Succession Affidavit: If the estate is valued at $125,000 or less (or the decedent died 20+ years ago) and meets other criteria, you may be able to file an affidavit instead of opening a court case.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require probate.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal probate is needed, file a Petition for Possession (simple putting in possession) or Petition for Administration with the 14th Judicial District Court. Include:
- Petition for Possession/Administration
- Original Last Will and Testament (if applicable)
- Certified death certificate
- Affidavit of Death, Domicile, and Heirship
- Filing fee (Advance Deposit)
- Detailed Descriptive List of Assets and Liabilities
E-filing is available for attorneys and registered users via Clerk Connect.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice to heirs and beneficiaries as required by law.
- Publish notice in the official journal (Lake Charles American Press) if applying for administration, typically for notice of application for appointment as administrator.
Step 4: Court Review and Judgment
For simple possession, the judge may sign the Judgment of Possession without a hearing if all documents are in order. For administration, a hearing may be scheduled, or the court may issue Letters Testamentary/Administration after the notice period expires.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Notify creditors and pay valid claims
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets
- File federal and state tax returns as needed
- Petition the court for authority to sell assets if necessary
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
- File a final account and petition for discharge
Local Requirements
Calcasieu Parish-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: Available through the Clerk Connect system for registered users.
- Advance Deposits: Calcasieu Parish requires an advance deposit for costs rather than a flat filing fee. The deposit covers the initial filing and service.
- Curator Ad Hoc: If heirs are absent or unknown, the court may require the appointment of a Curator Ad Hoc to represent their interests.
- Publication: Notices are published in the Lake Charles American Press, the official journal of Calcasieu Parish.
Always check with the Clerk of Court's office for the most current local rules and fee schedules.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Calcasieu Parish)
- Succession under Administration: $365.00 (Advance Deposit)
- Small Succession (Recording only): Varies by page count (e.g., $105 for 1-5 pages, $205 for 6-25 pages)
- Certified Copies: $5.00 per document + $1.00 per page
- Publication costs: Varies by length, typically payable directly to the newspaper
Fees are subject to change. The "Advance Deposit" is an estimate; additional costs may be billed if the deposit is exhausted.
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards (with a processing fee).
Estimated Timelines
- Simple Possession (uncontested): 2-6 weeks
- Administration (average estate): 6-12 months
- Complex or contested estates: 12 months to several years
Timelines depend heavily on whether the estate requires full administration or can be handled via a simple putting in possession.
Local Resources
Calcasieu Parish Court Resources
- Court Website: calcasieuclerk.gov
- Probate Self-Help: 14th JDC Self-Help
- Louisiana Legal Forms: Louisiana Law Help
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Southwest Louisiana Bar Association: (337) 436-3308 — Local bar association for attorney referrals.
- Acadiana Legal Service Corporation: (337) 439-0377 — Legal aid for qualifying low-income residents.
- Louisiana State Bar Lawyer Referral: lsba.org
Publication
- Lake Charles American Press: (337) 433-3000 — Official journal for legal notices.