Overview
East Baton Rouge Parish is located in Louisiana with a population of approximately 453,000. The 19th Judicial District Court handles all succession (probate) and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the parish at the time of death.
Louisiana succession is governed by the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure. The process begins with filing a Petition for Possession (for simple possession) or a Petition for Administration (if an administration is necessary) to recognize heirs/legatees and, if needed, appoint a Succession Representative. The court then issues a Judgment of Possession or Letters Testamentary/Administration.
Small Succession by Affidavit: Louisiana offers a simplified procedure for "small successions" where the gross estate value in Louisiana is $125,000 or less, or if the date of death occurred at least 20 years ago. This allows heirs to transfer property via an affidavit without opening a judicial proceeding, provided the decedent died intestate (without a will) or died testate (with a will) under specific conditions.
Fees: Louisiana courts typically require an "advance deposit" for court costs rather than a flat filing fee. The deposit is drawn down as costs accrue (filing, service, copies).
This guide provides an informational overview of the East Baton Rouge Parish succession 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
19th Judicial District Court
Succession matters in East Baton Rouge Parish are filed with the Clerk of Court at the 19th Judicial District Courthouse.
Address: 300 North Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70801
Phone: (225) 389-3960 (Clerk of Court) or (225) 389-4700 (Court)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The Clerk of Court's Suit Accounting department handles the initial filing and collection of advance deposits. The 19th JDC is located in downtown Baton Rouge.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available in nearby garages and surface lots, such as the Galvez Parking Garage on North Street. Security screening is required for entry into the courthouse.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Judicial Succession Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal court proceedings are required:
- Small Succession Affidavit: If the gross estate in Louisiana is valued at $125,000 or less (or death was >20 years ago), you may be able to file an "Affidavit of Small Succession" in the conveyance records rather than opening a court case.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require succession.
Step 2: File the Petition
If judicial succession is needed, file a Petition for Possession (if seeking immediate distribution) or Petition for Administration (if the estate has debts or requires management) with the 19th JDC Clerk of Court. Include:
- Original Last Will and Testament (if applicable)
- Affidavit of Death, Domicile, and Heirship
- Certified Death Certificate
- Detailed Descriptive List of Assets and Liabilities
- Advance deposit for court costs
East Baton Rouge Parish allows e-filing through Clerk Connect or Fax Filing (followed by original documents).
Step 3: Administration (If Applicable)
If an administration is opened, the court appoints a Succession Representative. Duties include:
- Publishing notice to creditors (if required)
- Managing estate assets and paying debts
- Filing a Tableau of Distribution for court approval before paying debts or distributing assets
Step 4: Judgment of Possession
For simple successions (without administration), the judge reviews the petition and affidavits. If satisfied, the judge signs a Judgment of Possession, which legally transfers title of assets to the heirs or legatees.
Step 5: Close the Estate
If an administration was opened, the representative must file a final account and petition for discharge once all tasks are complete.
Local Requirements
East Baton Rouge Parish-Specific Procedures
- E-Filing: The 19th JDC and Clerk of Court utilize Clerk Connect for e-filing and records search.
- Advance Deposits: Unlike many states with flat fees, EBR requires an advance deposit (typically $400-$550) from which costs are deducted.
- Official Journal: Legal notices (if required for administration) are published in The Advocate.
- Suit Accounting: All new suits are processed through the Suit Accounting department of the Clerk's office.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (East Baton Rouge Parish)
- Advance Deposit (Succession): approximately $400 - $550 (varies based on number of pages and service requests)
- Small Succession Affidavit (Recording): typically $100 - $150 (recording fee based on page count)
- Certified Copies: approximately $10 - $20 per document
- Publication costs: Varies by length, payable to The Advocate
Louisiana law sets caps on executor commissions (typically 2.5% of the estate inventory) and attorney fees must be reasonable, though many attorneys work on a flat fee or hourly basis for successions.
Payment Methods
The Clerk accepts cash, credit/debit cards, business checks, and money orders. Personal checks are often not accepted for new suit deposits.
Estimated Timelines
- Simple Possession (Uncontested): 2-6 weeks (can be faster if all documents are in order and no administration is needed)
- Small Succession Affidavit: 1-2 weeks (recording time)
- Administered Succession: 6 months to 1 year+ (depending on creditor periods and asset sales)
Timelines depend heavily on court docket congestion and the accuracy of filed documents.
Local Resources
East Baton Rouge Parish Court Resources
- Clerk of Court Website: ebrclerk.com
- 19th JDC Website: 19thjdc.org
- Online Records (Clerk Connect): clerkconnect.com
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- Baton Rouge Bar Association: (225) 344-4803 — Lawyer Referral Service
- Southeast Louisiana Legal Services: (225) 448-0080 — Free legal aid for qualifying low-income residents
- Louisiana State Bar Association: lsba.org
Publication
- The Advocate: (225) 383-1111 — Official journal for legal notices