Overview
St. Landry Parish is located in Louisiana with a population of approximately 82,540. The 27th Judicial District Court handles all probate and estate matters for decedents who were domiciled in the parish at the time of death.
Louisiana probate is governed by the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Book VI. The process begins with filing a Petition for Possession (for simple estates) or Petition for Administration 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 Small Succession Affidavit procedure for estates valued at $125,000 or less (gross value) if the decedent died intestate, or if the decedent died testate and the will is probated, or if the decedent has been deceased for at least 20 years regardless of value.
Louisiana law provides for a fee schedule for personal representatives (executors/administrators) which is typically 2.5% of the estate value, though this can be adjusted by the court or the will.
This guide provides an informational overview of the St. Landry 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
27th Judicial District Court
Probate matters in St. Landry Parish are handled at the St. Landry Parish Courthouse.
Address: 118 South Court Street, Ste 207, Opelousas, LA 70570
Phone: (337) 942-5606 (Probate/Succession Department)
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The Clerk of Court's office is located in Suite 207. This is where all succession pleadings and documents must be filed.
Parking and Access
Street parking is generally available around the courthouse square and on adjacent streets. There are also public parking lots nearby. Visitors pass through security screening at the main entrance.
Filing Process
Step 1: Determine If Probate Is Necessary
Before filing, assess whether formal probate is required:
- Small Succession Affidavit: If the estate is valued at $125,000 or less (or the decedent has been dead 20+ years), you may be able to file an affidavit instead of opening a judicial succession.
- Transfer on Death: Louisiana has limited transfer-on-death options compared to other states, primarily for securities and vehicles.
- 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 or Administration with the 27th Judicial District Court. Include:
- Original Last Will and Testament (if applicable)
- Certified Death Certificate
- Affidavit of Death, Domicile, and Heirship
- Filing fee (approximately $350.00 - $500.00)
- Detailed Descriptive List of Assets and Liabilities
E-filing is available through the Clerk Connect system or eClerks LA for registered users.
Step 3: Provide Notice
After filing, you must:
- Mail notice of the filing to all heirs and beneficiaries.
- Publish notice in the official journal (Eunice News) if the estate is under administration and the administrator needs to sell property or pay debts, or as required by the judge.
Step 4: Attend the Hearing
The court will schedule a hearing on the petition, typically 2 to 4 weeks after filing. At the hearing, the judge reviews the petition and, if approved, issues Judgment of Possession (for simple possession) or Letters Testamentary/Administration (if administration is required).
Step 5: Administer the Estate
After receiving Letters, the personal representative must:
- Notify creditors and allow for the statutory claim period
- Inventory and appraise all estate assets within the court-ordered timeframe
- Pay valid creditor claims
- File federal and state tax returns as needed
- Distribute assets to beneficiaries
- File a Tableau of Distribution and petition for discharge
Local Requirements
St. Landry Parish-Specific Procedures
- E-filing: St. Landry Parish participates in the Louisiana Clerks of Court "Clerk Connect" and "eClerks LA" portals for electronic filing.
- Bond requirements: Administrators are generally required to post a bond exceeding 125% of the estate value unless the will waives it or all heirs agree to waive it.
- Local court rules: The 27th JDC requires a detailed descriptive list of assets to be sworn to by the petitioner.
- Publication: Legal notices must be published in the Eunice News, the official journal of the parish.
Consult the Clerk of Court for specific local forms regarding the Small Succession Affidavit.
Timeline & Fees
Filing Fees (St. Landry Parish)
- Succession/Probate (Deposit): approximately $350.00 - $500.00
- Small Succession Affidavit Filing: approximately $100.00 - $150.00
- Certified copies of Letters: approximately $10.00 - $20.00 per copy
- Publication costs: approximately $150.00-$300.00 depending on the newspaper and length of notice
- Recording Fees: Varies by page count (typically $105 for the first page, $25 for subsequent pages for land records)
Louisiana statutory executor fees are typically 2.5% of the inventory value of the estate.
Payment Methods
The court accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit cards (with a processing fee).
Estimated Timelines
- Simple estates (Possession without Administration): 1-3 months
- Average estates (Administration): 6-12 months
- Complex or contested estates: 1 year to 3 years
Creditor claim periods and tax filing deadlines significantly impact the timeline.
Local Resources
St. Landry Parish Court Resources
- Court Website: stlandry.org
- Probate Self-Help: Louisiana Law Help - Successions
- Louisiana Probate Forms: St. Landry Clerk Forms
Legal Aid and Attorney Referrals
- St. Landry Parish Bar Association: (337) 942-1900 — Local bar association for attorney referrals
- Acadiana Legal Service Corporation: (337) 237-4320 — Legal aid for low-income residents
- Louisiana State Bar Lawyer Referral: lsba.org
Publication
- Eunice News: (337) 457-3061 — Official Journal
- Daily World: (337) 942-4971 — Newspaper of general circulation