Louisiana · 23rd Judicial District Court of Louisiana
Ascension Parish Clerk of Court Guide
Settled Estate records a $500+ court filing fee for the 23rd Judicial District Court - Ascension Parish, read from 5 linked sources and last verified June 14, 2026.
Many estates can avoid probate entirely. Assets with beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and trust assets may pass automatically without court involvement.
Certified Louisiana death certificates are issued by the state Vital Records Registry (Louisiana Department of Health), located at 1450 Poydras Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70112, orderable online (via VitalChek), by mail, or in person. Ascension Parish families order through the state office; the parish Clerk of Court does not issue death certificates. Verify the current fee and ordering options with Vital Records before ordering.
Make a list of what you find (don't throw anything away yet)
Locate Important Documents
Will or trust documents
Property deeds
Bank/investment statements
Insurance policies
Vehicle titles
Tax returns (last 3 years)
2
Required by Law
Legal duties
Deposit the Will
There is no fixed statutory deadline to open a Louisiana succession or to probate a testament. The original testament is presented to the parish district court (through the Clerk of Court) for probate to open a testate succession. Verify custodian obligations with the court.
Cost: Verify locally
Where: 23rd Judicial District Court - Ascension Parish
Banks and credit card companies (to prevent unauthorized use)
Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213)
Employer (if applicable) for final paycheck and benefits
3
Assess Your Situation
Before filing anything
Which probate type is right for you?
1
Small estate? If the estate is worth less than the Louisiana small-estate limit (shown on the options below), you may qualify for simplified procedures.
2
Is there a valid will? If yes, you'll file for a testate succession. If no will exists, it's an intestate succession.
3
Complex assets? Business interests, real estate in multiple states, or contested claims may require administration of the succession.
Select a probate type below to see specific requirements and costs.
A small succession (Louisiana property of $200,000 gross or less at the date of death, or any value where death occurred at least 20 years ago) may be transferred by a sworn small succession affidavit before a notary, without a court succession. The affidavit is recorded in the parish conveyance records for real estate.
Qualifies:
$200,000
An uncontested succession may proceed directly to a judgment of possession without a full administration (La. C.C.P. arts. 3001-3008, 3061) when heirs/legatees are competent and the estate is relatively free of debt. Availability depends on the facts; verify locally.
Qualifies:
Smaller estates that meet the state limit
Documents you'll need:
Petition for Possession
Original Testament (Will)
Petition to Probate Testament
Certified Death Certificate
Affidavit of Death, Domicile, and Heirship
Sworn Detailed Descriptive List of Assets and Liabilities
Judgment of Possession
A succession representative (executor with a will, or administrator without a will) qualifies before the district court, receives letters, files a sworn detailed descriptive list or inventory, pays debts in the statutory order, and closes the succession. Default representative compensation is 2.5% of the inventory (La. C.C.P. art. 3351). Verify bond, descriptive list, and notice requirements with the court.
Attorney:
not required by law, though many families use one
Documents you'll need:
Petition to Open Succession and Appoint Succession Representative
Original Testament (Will)
Petition to Probate Testament
Certified Death Certificate
Affidavit of Death, Domicile, and Heirship
Oath of Office and Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary
Sworn Detailed Descriptive List of Assets and Liabilities
Judgment of Possession
4
File for Probate
Where to file, forms & fees
Where to File
Office: 23rd Judicial District Court - Ascension Parish
Address: 300 Houmas Street, Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
When a Louisiana vehicle owner dies, the title is transferred through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) at an OMV customer service center or authorized public tag agent. Louisiana offers three paths depending on how the succession is settled: (1) court succession with judgment of possession, (2) small succession affidavit validated by the Department of Revenue, and (3) Affidavit of Heirship for estates that do not qualify for the small succession procedure.
Transfer scenarios
Court Succession — Judgment of Possession
Documents needed:
Certified copy of the final judgment of possession showing disposition of the vehicle
Vehicle Application (DPSMV1799) executed by the recipient of the vehicle
Certificate of title, if available (title assignment must be notarized if issue date is January 1, 1990 or later)
Current certificate of registration, if available
Federal odometer disclosure statement (for vehicles within twenty model years)
Photo identification of recipient (driver's license or state ID)
Satisfaction of lien (if a lien was recorded on the decedent's title)
Open a succession (formal or informal) in the district court of the parish where the decedent was domiciled. Upon appointment of a succession representative or by judgment, obtain a certified copy of the judgment of possession. Present it with the DPSMV1799 and supporting documents at an OMV office or public tag agent.
Small Succession — Affidavit Validated by Department of Revenue
Documents needed:
Validated Affidavit of Small Succession (stamped/validated by the Louisiana Department of Revenue)
Descriptive list of property, which must include a description of the vehicle (year, make, model, VIN)
Vehicle Application (DPSMV1799) executed by the recipient
Certificate of title, if available
Current certificate of registration, if available
Federal odometer disclosure statement (vehicles within twenty model years)
Photo identification of recipient
Satisfaction of lien (if lien on decedent's title)
File the small succession affidavit with the Louisiana Department of Revenue to get it validated. Then present the validated affidavit and descriptive list at an OMV office or public tag agent along with the DPSMV1799 and other required documents.
The small succession affidavit must be validated (stamped) by the Louisiana Department of Revenue before being presented to the OMV. The descriptive list must include the vehicle year, make, model, and VIN.
Affidavit of Heirship (When Succession or Small Succession Cannot Be Used)
Documents needed:
Affidavit of Heirship (LA OMV form; available at OMV offices and public tag agents)
Photostatic copy of death certificate
Copy of will or notarized statement of will contents relevant to vehicles (if decedent died testate)
Vehicle Application (DPSMV1799) executed by recipient
Certificate of title, if available (assignment notarized if issue date January 1, 1990 or later)
Current certificate of registration, if available
Notarized bill of sale or act of donation from all heirs to recipient
Federal odometer disclosure statement (vehicles within twenty model years)
Photo identification of recipient
Satisfaction of lien (if lien on decedent's title)
UCC-1 or Security Agreement and $15.00 recordation fee (if a new lien is to be recorded); or other lien instrument and $10.00 recordation fee
Complete the Affidavit of Heirship and notarize it (form available at OMV offices and public tag agents). Gather all supporting documents listed above. Present the full package at an OMV customer service center or authorized public tag agent. If the vehicle is being sold, sales tax is due based on the selling price and the buyer's domicile.
If an heir is an out-of-state resident and their state will not accept the Louisiana Affidavit of Heirship, written documentation from that state indicating non-acceptance must be submitted. The notarized bill of sale or act of donation from ALL heirs to the recipient is required.
Forms
Vehicle Application(DPSMV1799)(Form DPSMV1799 is referenced in the official OMV FAQ as 'Vehicle Application form (DPSMV1799) for title properly executed by the recipient of the vehicle.' Available at OMV offices and public tag agents. PDF available via the official DPS document portal linked from the OMV forms page. The form itself prints the number with a space, as 'DPSMV 1799'; the OMV FAQ closes it up. Verified on the form 2026-08-12.)
Affidavit of Heirship(DPSMV1696)(Must be notarized. All heirs and legatees must be listed, with a supplementary list attached if there are more than four. The form requires the filer to classify the vehicle as community property under La. Civ. Code art. 2340 or separate property under art. 2341. One surviving heir titling the vehicle in their own name may use this affidavit with attachments alone. If an heir is the surviving spouse and the vehicle goes to a NEW owner, all heirs complete the affidavit but only the surviving spouse executes the notarized bill of sale or act of donation; with no surviving spouse, all heirs must execute it. Number read from the form itself 2026-08-12: DPSMV1696 (R 08/17/2023). The forms index lists names only, which is why this was previously recorded as unnumbered.)
Act of Donation of a Movable(DPSMV1699)(Alternative to the bill of sale when the vehicle is transferred as a gift or donation from all heirs to the recipient. Number read from the form itself 2026-08-12, which is titled 'Act of Donation of a Movable (DPSMV1699)'. The forms index lists names only, which is why this was previously recorded as unnumbered.)
Fees
Certificate of title fee: $68.50 per official Louisiana OMV fee schedule at expresslane.la.gov/omv/vehicles/vehicle-registration-title-plate-fees/. Title Correction fee is also $68.50.$68.5
lien recording ucc$15
lien recording other$10
If the vehicle is being sold, sales tax is due based on the selling price and the buyer's domicile. Registration (plate) fees are separate from the title fee and vary by vehicle type and value. Handling fee $8.00 when applicable.
Small-estate vehicle transfer
Louisiana's small succession procedure allows heirs to transfer a deceased person's property — including motor vehicles — without opening a court succession when the estate qualifies under La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 3421. The affidavit must be validated by the Louisiana Department of Revenue before being presented to the OMV for a vehicle title transfer.
The small succession affidavit is validated by the Department of Revenue, not a court. The OMV requires the validated affidavit plus a descriptive list including the vehicle. This differs from the Affidavit of Heirship path, which does not require DOR validation.
Lost or duplicate title
If the original certificate of title is lost, misplaced, or accidentally destroyed, a duplicate title must be obtained before completing the transfer.
Present the DPSMV1799 and required identification at an OMV customer service center or authorized public tag agent. The OMV will reissue the title. Obtain the duplicate before attempting to transfer a deceased owner's vehicle if the original is missing.
Form:Vehicle Application (for duplicate title request)(DPSMV1799)
Official Louisiana OMV page with the FAQ accordion 'How do I transfer a vehicle from a deceased owner?' — covers all three transfer paths and required documents.
Official forms page listing Affidavit of Heirship, Vehicle Application (DPSMV1799), Act of Donation of a Movable, Bill of Sale of a Motor Vehicle, and other required forms.
How much does succession cost in Ascension Parish?
Succession filing fees in Ascension Parish, Louisiana vary by the type of administration. The court filing fee shown on this page is $500+; confirm current amounts with the Clerk of Court before filing.
How long does succession take in Ascension Parish?
Timelines depend on the succession procedure, the court, and whether notice or publication is required. Simplified procedures can range from a few weeks to several months, while full administration often takes 6-12 months or longer.
Do I need an attorney for succession in Ascension Parish?
Attorney requirements depend on the type of administration and your specific situation. Consider talking with a succession attorney before filing or making legal decisions.
More Louisiana Resources
Explore the rest of the Louisiana succession hub.
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Do I need succession?5 pagesFor the executor5 pagesMoney and taxes5 pagesFamily and inheritance5 pagesTransfer assets5 pagesFile and learn5 pages
Verified against 23rd Judicial District Court - Ascension Parish on June 14, 2026
Settled Estate is not a law firm, and this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Probate laws and procedures in Louisiana can change. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation. Full disclaimer.