Louisiana · 6th Judicial District Court of Louisiana
Tensas Parish Clerk of Court Guide
Clerk of Court information · Updated June 2026
Settling an estate while grieving is hard. This page takes it one step at a time, and free local help is listed below.
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Not sure if you need probate?
Many estates can avoid probate entirely. Assets with beneficiary designations, joint accounts, and trust assets may pass automatically without court involvement.
Immediate Actions
The first days
First: Get Death Certificates
Required for everythingLouisiana Vital Records Registry
Certified Louisiana death certificates are issued by the state Vital Records Registry (Louisiana Department of Health), not by the parish Clerk of Court. Death certificates may be ordered online (through VitalChek), by mail, or in person at the New Orleans office and at participating LDH regional/parish health units and OMV locations. Tensas Parish families order through the state registry. Verify current ordering channels and processing times with the Louisiana Vital Records Registry.
Secure the Property
- Lock the residence and secure valuable items
- Forward mail to a responsible family member
- Make a list of what you find (don't throw anything away yet)
Locate Important Documents
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 must be presented to the parish district court (through the Clerk of Court) to open a testate succession. (La. C.C.P. arts. 2851 et seq.)
Notify Key Parties
- Banks and credit card companies (to prevent unauthorized use)
- Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213)
- Employer (if applicable) for final paycheck and benefits
Assess Your Situation
Before filing anything
Which probate type is right for you?
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.
Is there a valid will? If yes, you'll file for a testate succession. If no will exists, it's an intestate succession.
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.
Which applies to your situation?
Not sure? Use the free checker at the top of this page - you don't have to decide this alone.
A small succession - Louisiana property of $200,000 gross or less at the date of death, or any value if the death occurred at least 20 years ago - may be transferred by a sworn small succession affidavit executed before a notary, without a court succession. The affidavit is recorded in the parish conveyance records for real estate. Verify eligibility for the specific assets and institutions involved.
- Qualifies:
- $200,000
- Filing fee:
- $350
Louisiana has no separate 'summary administration,' but offers simplified paths: the small succession affidavit (La. C.C.P. arts. 3421, 3431-3434); an uncontested judgment of possession without a full administration (La. C.C.P. arts. 3001-3008, 3061); a limited bank-deposit release to the surviving spouse or heirs (La. R.S. 9:1513); and a motor-vehicle transfer by affidavit of heirship through the OMV. Availability depends on the facts and should be verified 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 or administrator) qualifies, receives letters, files an inventory or sworn detailed descriptive list, pays debts in the statutory order, and closes the succession (La. C.C.P. arts. 3001 et seq.). Used when there are debts to manage, disputes, or a need for ongoing authority. Verify bond, security, original-testament, 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
When the succession is relatively free of debt and the heirs or legatees are competent and accept, the court can render a judgment of possession placing them in possession without a full administration. Verify eligibility and required filings with the Clerk.
File for Probate
Where to file, forms & fees
Where to File
Free Filing Help Available
Tensas Parish Clerk of Court (Civil/Probate - Successions) can help you understand forms and filing requirements at no cost.
Visit Self-Help CenterOther Topics That May Apply
Property & Real Estate
Property transfer after death, recording
Tensas Parish Clerk of Court
WebsiteVehicle Title Transfer
Retitle or transfer the deceased's vehicle. Office, forms, fees.
Louisiana OMV — St. Joseph Customer Service Center
- Phone:
- (318) 766-3239
- Address:
- 203 Hancock Street, Courthouse Annex, St. Joseph, LA 71366
- Hours:
- Tuesday (see notes on OMV site); limited schedule — call to confirm hours
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
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.
Fee: $68.5
Helpful resources
- Louisiana OMV — Vehicles FAQ (How to transfer from a deceased owner)
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.
- Louisiana OMV — Vehicle Registration, Title & Plate Fees
Official fee schedule: Title Fee $68.50, Title Correction $68.50, lien recording fees, plate/registration fees.
- Louisiana OMV — Vehicle Title and Registration Forms
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.
- Louisiana OMV Office Locator
Official Louisiana OMV office locator. Find the nearest OMV customer service center or public tag agent by parish.
- La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 3421 — Small Successions Defined
Official Louisiana legislature: defines small succession ($200,000 threshold as of Acts 2024, No. 90, or death 20+ years ago).
- La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 3431 — Small Successions; Judicial Opening Unnecessary
Official Louisiana legislature: when judicial succession is not required for small successions.
- La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 3432 — Affidavit for Small Succession (Intestate)
Official Louisiana legislature: contents of the small succession affidavit for an intestate decedent.
Statewide forms and steps live in the vehicle title transfer guide. If the title cannot be found, see selling a car without a title.
Vehicle sources (8)
- https://expresslane.la.gov/omv/vehicles
- https://expresslane.la.gov/omv/vehicles/vehicle-registration-title-plate-fees/
- https://expresslane.la.gov/omv/resources/forms-documents/vehicle-title-and-registration-forms/
- https://offices.omv.la.gov/
- https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=111765
- https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=111767
- https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=111768
- https://offices.omv.la.gov/details.html?office=68
Sources for this page (7)
The facts above come from these official sources. Verify current details with the office before filing.
- tensasclerk.orghttps://www.tensasclerk.org/
- 6jdc.orghttps://www.6jdc.org/
- tensasclerk.orghttps://www.tensasclerk.org/civil.php
- laclerksportal.orghttps://www.laclerksportal.org/
- legis.la.govhttps://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=111765
- legis.la.govhttps://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=111725
- legis.la.govhttps://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=78100
You've seen what probate involves. Here's how to spare your own family.
A few simple steps (naming beneficiaries, a transfer-on-death deed where your state allows it, or a living trust) can keep your estate out of court.
See how to avoid probate in LouisianaFrequently Asked Questions
How much does succession cost in Tensas Parish?
How long does succession take in Tensas Parish?
Do I need an attorney for succession in Tensas Parish?
More Louisiana Resources
Explore the rest of the Louisiana succession hub.
Start here
Do I need succession?5 pages
For the executor5 pages
Money and taxes5 pages
Family and inheritance5 pages
Transfer assets5 pages
File and learn5 pages
Verified against 6th Judicial District Court of Louisiana 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.