How Much Does Probate Cost in Orleans Parish, Louisiana?
Understanding what probate costs before you start helps you plan and avoid surprises. Here's what families in Orleans Parish can expect.
How much will probate cost in Orleans Parish? The total varies by estate — court filing fees are just the start, and attorney and executor fees often make up the largest share.
Attorney fees in Louisiana are based on reasonable compensationLa. C.C.P. art. 3351.1 (limits dual-role compensation; attorney fees reasonable per court discretion)Verified May 7, 2026, typically 2%La. C.C.P. art. 3351.1 (limits dual-role compensation; attorney fees reasonable per court discretion)Verified May 7, 2026 to 4%La. C.C.P. art. 3351.1 (limits dual-role compensation; attorney fees reasonable per court discretion)Verified May 7, 2026 of estate value. Many New Orleans-area attorneys offer flat-rate arrangements for straightforward estates.
See what probate is likely to cost in Orleans Parish:
The Civil District Court charges $300La. R.S. 13:841; La. CCP Art. 3421-3422; Acts 2024, No. 90, §1Verified May 7, 2026 to open a probate case, plus additional fees for motions and final accounting.
Attorney fees in Orleans Parish typically range from 2%La. C.C.P. art. 3351.1 (limits dual-role compensation; attorney fees reasonable per court discretion)Verified May 7, 2026 to 4%La. C.C.P. art. 3351.1 (limits dual-role compensation; attorney fees reasonable per court discretion)Verified May 7, 2026 of estate value, though many local attorneys offer flat-rate arrangements for straightforward cases. Executor compensation in Louisiana is 2.5%La. C.C.P. art. 3351 (2.5% of inventory default; court may increase if inadequate)Verified May 7, 2026 to 2.5%La. C.C.P. art. 3351 (2.5% of inventory default; court may increase if inadequate)Verified May 7, 2026 of estate value based on reasonable payment for time and effort managing the estate.
You'll need to publish a creditor notice in a local Orleans Parish newspaper ($200-$500). Real estate and business interests also require professional appraisals, typically $300-$600 each.
A surety bond may be required unless the will waives it or all beneficiaries consent. If required, premiums typically cost 0.5%La. C.C.P. art. 3151Verified May 7, 2026 of estate value annually.
These costs accumulate over 6 monthsLa. C.C.P. arts. 3302Verified May 7, 2026 to 12 monthsLa. C.C.P. arts. 3302Verified May 7, 2026—the typical timeline for probate at the Civil District Court. The 3 monthsLa. C.C.P. art. 3302Verified May 7, 2026 creditor claim period accounts for much of this wait, and expenses compound as executors manage assets during this period.
Legal Sources
- La. C.C.P. art. 3151
- La. C.C.P. art. 3302
- La. C.C.P. art. 3351 (2.5% of inventory default; court may increase if inadequate)
- La. C.C.P. art. 3351.1 (limits dual-role compensation; attorney fees reasonable per court discretion)
- La. C.C.P. arts. 3302
- La. R.S. 13:841; La. CCP Art. 3421-3422; Acts 2024, No. 90, §1
Data sourced from Louisiana statutes and official state code. How we research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total probate costs usually run 3–8% of the estate value. For Orleans Parish, that means filing fees (about $439.5 to open), attorney fees, executor compensation, publication costs, and possibly a bond. The calculator on this page runs the math for your estate size.
The petition to open probate costs about $439.5 in Orleans Parish. Additional filings during administration (inventory, accounting, final petition) can add to the total. The calculator above shows the full picture.
Louisiana uses "reasonable fees" — usually hourly billing or a percentage of the estate. Typical range is 2%–4% of estate value, negotiable based on complexity.
Louisiana allows "reasonable" executor compensation, typically 1–5% of estate value depending on complexity. Family executors often waive fees because the fee is taxable income while an inheritance is not.
Yes. Louisiana estates under $125,000 can use a Small Succession and avoid most probate costs. Check the Louisiana self-filing assessment to see if this applies.
A revocable living trust skips probate entirely — no filing fee, no attorney schedule, no executor commission. The cost of setting up the trust is typically recovered many times over compared to what probate would cost the estate. Create a revocable trust online and keep the estate out of Orleans Parish probate.
Civil District Court
Orleans Parish
421 Loyola Avenue, Room 402
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone:
504-407-0000Fax:
504-592-9128
Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Paper Filing Available
E-Filing Optional
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