What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate in Louisiana?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for the Louisiana estate inventory — what furniture, electronics, and appliances would sell for today, not what was paid.
Personal property in Louisiana is valued at fair market value: what the item would sell for on the open market as of the date of death, not what it cost. Most household goods (furniture, electronics, clothing) resell for a small fraction of their purchase price. Art, collectibles, jewelry and other high-value items are valued by a professional appraisal. Louisiana requires a formal appraisal of estate propertyLa. C.C.P. arts. 3131-3137Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
No. An executor in Louisiana can group low-value household goods into a single inventory line, such as "household furnishings and personal effects", while jewelry, art, vehicles and collectibles are listed individually. Each value is fair market value as of the date of death.
In Louisiana, the executor files the estate inventory within 0 daysLa. C.C.P. arts. 3131-3137Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment. Louisiana does not require a separate supplemental inventoryLa. C.C.P. arts. 3131-3137Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; an asset discovered later is reported through an amended inventory or the accounting.
In Louisiana, estates valued at $200,000La. C.C.P. art. 3421Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Succession AffidavitLa. C.C.P. art. 3421Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. An inventory at fair market value is what decides whether the estate falls under the line.
High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry and collectibles are appraised by a qualified professional, while ordinary household items (furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing) are valued from comparable sales. Louisiana requires a formal appraisal of estate propertyLa. C.C.P. arts. 3131-3137Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate in Louisiana
Free forms for settling an estate in Louisiana: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Renunciation of Executor
In Louisiana, a person named as testamentary executor may decline to serveLa. Code Civ. Proc. art. 3083Verified Sep 23, 2026View source before anyone is appointed.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Louisiana, the Small Succession AffidavitLa. C.C.P. art. 3421Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates valued at $200,000La. C.C.P. art. 3421Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
Prepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.
Estate Closing
In Louisiana, the personal representative is discharged by court orderLa. C.C.P. arts. 3391, 3392, 3396.19Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required unless it is waived.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Louisiana
Free tools for settling an estate in Louisiana: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Louisiana pays executors reasonable compensationLa. C.C.P. art. 3351 (2.5% of inventory default; court may increase if inadequate)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.5%La. C.C.P. art. 3351 (2.5% of inventory default; court may increase if inadequate)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 2.5%La. C.C.P. art. 3351 (2.5% of inventory default; court may increase if inadequate)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
Can I Self-File Probate?
Louisiana has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is not available.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
In Louisiana, the District Court appoints the personal representative and the Clerk of Court issues Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration; every appointment goes through the court.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Louisiana, creditors have 3 monthsLa. C.C.P. art. 3302Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from the date of death to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Louisiana pays the claims in 5La. C.C. art. 3276Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with vendor's privileges, other special privileges and mortgages on immovables, from the price of the property they burden (only seal, inventory and other costs needed to sell it come first).
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Louisiana costs an estimated $24,842La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.9%La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3%La. C.C.P. arts. 3301, 3303 (attorney fees are an administration expense — La. Civ. Code art. 1415 — payable only on court authorization); art. 3351.1 (dual-role limit)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Hire a Louisiana Probate Attorney
Browse 60 probate firms in Louisiana with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
Your kids shouldn't have to do this.
Louisiana Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Louisiana probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.