How to Search Jefferson Parish Probate Records
Probate records sit with the Clerk of Court in the 24th JDC civil divisions. There is no separately branded probate court in the parish. To search online, use JeffNet and choose the civil category, then look by the decedent's name or the case number. JeffNet is a closed system, so remote access needs a $5.00 account that lasts 24 hours or a monthly subscription.
You can also inspect open succession records for free at the Clerk's civil desk during weekday hours. The desk is in Suite 2400 of the Donelon Building in Gretna.
- Open JeffNet and select the civil record category.
- Search by the decedent's name or the succession case number.
- Review the case activity and any judgment entries.
- Download document images at $0.75 per page if needed.
- Order certified copies of judgments for property or bank use.
Succession in Louisiana
Louisiana uses civil-law terms that differ from other states. A succession transfers a deceased person's property to heirs or legatees. It can be small or large, with or without a will. The terms below appear throughout succession files.
- Succession
- The Louisiana process for settling a deceased person's estate.
- Testator
- The person who made a will.
- Executor
- The person named to carry out the will, also called an administrator.
- Intestate
- Dying without a valid will, so state law decides who inherits.
- Tutorship
- A court setup that protects a minor or that minor's property.
- Interdiction
- A proceeding to protect an adult who cannot care for themselves.
Small Versus Large Succession Fees
The Clerk charges an advance deposit based on the size and type of the matter. A small succession costs less than a large one, and tutorships and interdictions have their own fees. The table lists the filing deposits.
| Filing | Advance deposit |
|---|---|
| Small succession, under $125,000 | $200.00 |
| Large succession, $125,000 and over | $400.00 |
| Small tutorship, under $50,000 | $250.00 |
| Large tutorship, over $50,000 | $400.00 |
| Interdiction | $1,000.00 |
| Judicial commitment | $650.00 |
The Clerk of Court page lists the full fee schedule, and the Clerk fees page is the official source.
Tutorship and Interdiction
Not every estate matter follows a death. Tutorship protects a minor or a minor's property, often after a parent dies or cannot serve. Interdiction protects an adult who can no longer manage their own affairs. Both file through the same civil divisions as a succession.
A motion to appoint a curator costs $275.00, plus a separate $600.00 curator fee paid as the court directs. These cases can involve sensitive medical and financial details, so parts of a file may be restricted.
How to File a Succession
Filing a succession follows a clear order. The steps below outline the path most families take, though a lawyer often handles the pleadings.
- Decide whether the estate is a small succession or needs a larger, formal filing.
- Prepare the pleadings, death certificate, will if any, and an inventory of property.
- File with the Clerk of Court for the 24th JDC civil divisions and pay the deposit.
- Add any tutorship, interdiction, or curator fees and orders if they apply.
- Track the case in JeffNet after filing.
- Get certified copies of judgments for property transfer or bank use.
Filing Through the 24th JDC Civil Divisions
The Clerk's civil desk receives succession filings and keeps the records. Use the contact card below to reach the right office before you file or request a copy.
Clerk of Court, Civil Records
200 Derbigny Street, Suite 2400
Gretna, LA 70053
504-364-3740
Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Searching Probate in JeffNet
JeffNet is the same portal used for all civil records, so probate searches work the same way. Civil activity is online from January 1, 1986, and document images reach back to 1825. Search by the decedent's name to find a succession, then open the activity list to see filings and judgments.
Note: Older succession images may be available even when activity dates are recent, so check both before assuming a record is missing.
The Jefferson Parish court records page explains the JeffNet search fields and coverage in full. If you cannot find a succession online, the Clerk's civil staff can help you locate an older paper file that predates online activity.
Certified Judgments
A judgment of possession is the document that transfers property to heirs. Banks, title companies, and other offices want a certified copy, not a printout. The Clerk certifies court copies at $0.75 per page plus a $5.00 certification fee. Order these once the judgment is signed and recorded.
Keep several certified copies on hand if the estate has several assets, since each transfer may need its own. A bank, a title company, and the tax assessor may each want a separate certified copy, so ordering a few at once saves return trips to the Clerk.
Why Successions Matter for Property
A succession is not just paperwork. Until it is done, heirs often cannot sell a house, clear a title, or close a bank account in the deceased person's name. Title companies and lenders look for a recorded judgment of possession before they will move a property. That is why families search probate records when buying or inheriting a home in the parish.
An estate left open for years can tangle a title. Records can show whether a succession was ever filed and whether a judgment was signed. If no succession exists, the heirs may need to open one before any sale can close. The Jefferson Parish court records page covers how to confirm a filing.
Common Succession Questions
Two questions come up for almost every family. The short answers below help you start.
Do I need a lawyer for a succession? The Clerk accepts filings, but successions involve civil-law pleadings that most people handle through an attorney. A small succession can be simpler, but legal advice helps avoid title problems later.
How long does a succession take? Timing depends on the estate, whether there is a will, and whether heirs agree. A simple, uncontested matter moves faster than one with disputes or many assets.
Restricted Probate Records
Most succession records are open to the public, but some content is held back. Interdiction and tutorship files can hold medical and financial details that are sealed or limited. Filers must also keep protected private data out of court filings under the Clerk's notices. If a record is restricted, you may need a court order to view it.
For the broader access rules, see the Jefferson Parish public records page.