How Do I File Probate in Orleans Parish, Louisiana?
A step-by-step guide to filing at the Civil District Court—what documents you'll need, where to go, and what happens after you file.
Probate documents in Orleans Parish can be filed in person at the Civil District Court, by mail, or electronically. Most families handling probate themselves prefer paper filing, though e-filing is available if you're comfortable with online systems.
Your Filing Options
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
E-Filing Also Available
If you prefer, you can file electronically through the state's online system. This is optional for families filing without an attorney.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Not every estate requires an attorney. Factors like estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree can determine if self-filing at the Civil District Court is realistic for your situation.
For a detailed cost comparison and filing checklist, see the full Orleans Parish Self-Filing Assessment.
In-Person Filing
The Civil District Court is located at 421 Loyola Avenue, Room 402, New Orleans, LA 70112. Phone: 504-407-0000. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
What to Bring
To file at the Civil District Court, you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Court Resources
For procedural questions about your filing, you can contact Clerk of Court Chelsey Richard Napoleon. The clerk's office handles filing questions but cannot provide legal advice.
Additional resources, forms, and fee schedules are available on the Civil District Court website.
Frequently Asked Questions
You open probate by filing a petition with the Civil District Court in Orleans Parish, attaching the original will (if any), the death certificate, and the filing fee ($439.5). Once the court issues letters, the personal representative can act.
At minimum: petition for probate, application for letters testamentary or of administration, notice to heirs, and an oath for the personal representative. Orleans Parish uses the standard Louisiana probate forms — the court's website lists the current versions.
Louisiana allows informal (unsupervised) probate, which many families handle themselves for simple estates. The Civil District Court in Orleans Parish does not require attorney representation. Use the Louisiana self-filing assessment to see if your estate qualifies.
Yes. The Civil District Court in Orleans Parish accepts e-filing through the state portal. In-person filing at the courthouse is still available for those without digital access.
Assets stay locked, creditors can still pursue them, and beneficiaries cannot sell real property or close accounts. After a few years, interested parties can petition to open probate themselves. Waiting rarely helps. Families who set up a revocable living trust ahead of time bypass this problem entirely.
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
Notify Banks & Financial Institutions
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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