Estate Planning & Probate in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana
Lafayette Parish estate questions split two ways—planning so your family skips probate, or settling an estate that is already in it. Start with your situation below; both paths use Lafayette Parish's actual court and recording details.
The Probate Process in Lafayette Parish
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Lafayette Parish, probate runs through the District Court at 800 S. Buchanan St., Lafayette. The court sits in the 15th Judicial District. Lafayette Parish shares the 15th Judicial District with Acadia and Vermilion.
Full Lafayette Parishprobate guide: cost, how to file & attorneys →Probate Court Record
District Court
Lafayette Parish · 15th Judicial District
Address
Phone
Hours
Recording Deeds & Property Documents
Recording Office Record
Clerk of Court
Lafayette Parish · Louis J. Perret
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
E-recording
$100 for 1-5 pages, $200 for 6-25 pages, $300 for 26-50 pages, $300 plus $5 for each page beyond 50; transfer tax may need separate review.
Full recording details →Verified September 5, 2026 · Source
Local Procedures at the District Court
Documents deposited with the Clerk of the District Court and Ex-Officio Recorder become part of the parish archives and are not returned to the sender. The Civil Advanced Cost Fees schedule lists a $400.00 advance deposit for a succession and a $300.00 advance deposit for a small succession.
Louisiana Estate Planning Articles
Articles about estate planning, probate, and trusts relevant to families in Lafayette Parish.
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