Overview
Orleans Parish is located in Louisiana with a population of approximately 370,000. The Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans handles all succession (probate) and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the parish at the time of death.
Louisiana probate is known as "succession" and 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 admit the will and appoint a personal representative. The court then issues Letters Testamentary for testate estates or Letters of Administration for intestate estates.
Louisiana offers a simplified procedure known as the Small Succession Affidavit for estates valued at $125,000 or less (or if the decedent has been deceased for more than 20 years). This allows heirs to transfer property without a full court administration.
Note that Louisiana has a unique fee structure and legal system (Napoleonic code). Attorney fees are often statutory or percentage-based, and court costs can vary by the number of pages and parties involved.
This guide provides an informational overview of the Orleans 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
Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans
Succession matters in Orleans Parish are handled at the Civil District Court.
Address: 421 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 407-0000 (Clerk of Court)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
The Civil District Court is located in the Central Business District. The Clerk of Court's office (Civil Division) is responsible for accepting filings and maintaining records.
Parking and Access
Public parking is available at several nearby lots and garages, including Premium Parking (P167) at 400 Loyola Avenue (directly across from the courthouse) and the Energy Centre Annex Garage at 600 Loyola Avenue. Street parking is limited and strictly enforced. Security screening is required upon entering the courthouse building.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Succession Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal succession is required:
- Small Succession Affidavit: If the estate is valued at $125,000 or less (or the decedent died over 20 years ago) and meets other criteria, you may be able to file an affidavit instead of opening a judicial succession.
- Trust administration: Assets held in a living trust generally do not require succession.
Step 2: File the Petition
If formal succession is needed, file a Petition for Possession (if no administration is needed) or Petition for Administration with the Civil District Court. Include:
- Original Last Will and Testament (if applicable)
- Certified death certificate
- Affidavit of Death, Domicile, and Heirship
- Detailed Descriptive List of Assets and Liabilities
- Filing fee (typically $400–$600 depending on complexity)
Orleans Parish offers e-filing through its Remote Access system and Odyssey eFileLA.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you may need to:
- Mail notice to heirs and legatees as required by law.
- Publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation (e.g., The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate) if applying for administration or selling immovable property.
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. If administration is required, the court will issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration to the executor/administrator.
Step 5: Administer the Estate
If an administrator is appointed, they must:
- Inventory and appraise assets
- Pay valid creditor claims and taxes
- File an annual accounting (if administration is prolonged)
- Distribute assets to heirs/legatees
- File a petition for discharge to close the succession
Local Requirements
Orleans Parish-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: Orleans Parish utilizes a specific Remote Access system for e-filing and case lookups.
- Judicial Expense Fund: Be aware that Orleans Parish often has specific judicial expense fund fees added to standard filing costs.
- Publication: Legal notices are typically published in The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate.
- Tutorship: If minors are involved, a separate Tutorship proceeding may be required.
Always check the latest Local Rules of the Civil District Court for specific formatting and procedural requirements.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (Orleans Parish)
- Small Succession Affidavit: approximately $250–$350 (recording fees vary by page count)
- Petition for Possession/Administration: approximately $400–$600 (deposit)
- Certified copies: approximately $10–$20 per document
- Publication costs: approximately $150–$300 depending on the length of the notice
Note: Fees are subject to change. Contact the Clerk of Court for the most current fee schedule.
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards (with a processing fee).
Estimated Timelines
- Simple Possession (uncontested): 2–8 weeks
- Administered Succession: 6–12 months
- Complex or contested estates: 1 year or more
Factors affecting the timeline include the complexity of assets, creditor claims, and whether all heirs agree on the distribution.
Local Resources
Orleans Parish Court Resources
- Court Website: orleanscivildistrictcourt.org
- Clerk of Court: orleanscivilclerk.com
- Louisiana Legal Navigator: louisianalegalnavigator.org
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- New Orleans Bar Association: (504) 525-7453 — Lawyer Referral Service
- Southeast Louisiana Legal Services: (504) 529-1000 — Free legal aid for qualifying low-income residents
- Louisiana State Bar Association: lsba.org
Publication
- The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate: (504) 636-7400 — Official journal for legal notices