Search Houma Probate Court Records

Houma probate court records and succession filings are maintained by the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court at 7856 Main Street in Houma. As the parish seat of Terrebonne Parish, Houma is where all succession cases, estate filings, and related probate records are processed under the 32nd Judicial District Court. Clerk Theresa A. Robichaux oversees the office, which has maintained records going back to 1820, covering marriages, land transfers, court proceedings, and estate matters. Both in-person access and an online public records search portal are available to the public. This guide explains how to find records, what fees apply, and what Louisiana succession law means for Houma residents.

Where to File Probate Records in Houma

Houma is the parish seat of Terrebonne Parish and the location of the main courthouse serving the 32nd Judicial District Court. All succession and probate matters for Houma and all of Terrebonne Parish are filed here. There is no separate branch office for outlying parts of the parish. Houma residents, and everyone else in Terrebonne Parish, file at the same location on Main Street.

Clerk Theresa A. Robichaux leads the office. The main phone numbers are (985) 868-5660 and (985) 868-6802. The fax is (985) 868-8309. Email goes to theeresa.robichaux@yahoo.com. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and closed on state and federal holidays. Terrebonne Parish was established on March 22, 1822, and the clerk's records date from 1820, predating formal parish organization. The Old Courthouse Building is also used for some office functions.

Note that the City Court of Houma at 8046 Main Street, reachable at (985) 868-4232, handles misdemeanor and local civil matters only. Succession and estate cases go to the Parish Clerk, not the City Court. If you arrive at the wrong courthouse, staff there can direct you to the right building a short distance away.

How to Search Houma Probate Court Records

You can search Terrebonne Parish succession records three ways: visit the clerk's office in person at 7856 Main Street, use the public records search portal online at terrebonneclerk.org, or send a written request by mail. In-person access is free for browsing the index and reviewing files at the counter. The online portal charges a subscription fee for document images but lets you search from home by case number, party name, or document type.

Records in the system go back to 1820. Older files may be in physical storage rather than digitized, so if you are researching a case from the 1800s or early 1900s, call ahead at (985) 868-5660 so staff can pull the file before you arrive. Knowing roughly when the person died and where they lived in the parish will help narrow the search.

Mail requests should be sent to Theresa A. Robichaux, Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 1569, Houma, LA 70361-1569. Include the full name of the deceased, the approximate date of death, and the specific document type you need. The office will confirm the record exists and provide a cost estimate before processing the request. Do not send payment until the office confirms the total amount.

Online Access for Houma Succession Records

The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court maintains a public records search portal at terrebonneclerk.org. The portal allows searches by case number, party names, and document type. Fees apply for viewing document images. This is a practical first step for attorneys handling out-of-town estate matters, title companies doing property research, and family members who want to confirm whether a succession was opened before making the trip to Houma.

For those who need to access records from multiple Louisiana parishes, the statewide eClerks LA portal connects records from parishes across the state and is worth checking if the Terrebonne portal does not have what you need. Contact the clerk's office at (985) 868-5660 to ask about portal access, current subscription fees, and which records are fully available online versus only in physical storage.

What Records Are in a Houma Succession File

A probate file at the Terrebonne Parish Clerk starts with the petition to open the succession. That document names the deceased, lists the heirs, and describes the estate assets. As the case moves through the 32nd JDC, more documents are added. Common items include an inventory of real and personal property, a sworn descriptive list of assets and debts, court orders from the presiding judge, and a final judgment of possession that legally transfers the estate to the heirs.

Wills filed in Terrebonne Parish become public once a succession is opened. Louisiana recognizes two main will types. An olographic will is entirely handwritten and signed by the testator, with no notary or witnesses needed. A notarial will is executed before a notary and two witnesses. Both are valid under Louisiana law and become part of the clerk's civil records when the succession opens in Houma. If a will is disputed, that contest adds additional filings to the same record.

The clerk's office also maintains marriage records going back to 1820. These older records can provide useful context for succession research, particularly when real property transfers or heirship questions are part of the estate. The Terrebonne Parish collection includes records from before the parish was formally organized in 1822, which makes it a valuable resource for deep genealogical research tied to South Louisiana families. Under Louisiana R.S. 44:1, all probate records are public and open to anyone who asks.

Louisiana Succession Law for Houma Residents

Louisiana's succession law comes from French and Spanish civil law, not from the English common law used in other states. The rules apply the same way in Houma as anywhere else in Louisiana. Under Civil Code Art. 871, a succession opens the moment a person dies. The estate is then administered in the parish where the deceased lived. For Houma residents, that is Terrebonne Parish and the 32nd Judicial District Court.

Civil Code Art. 873 confirms that succession cases are filed in the parish of the deceased's domicile. If your family member lived in Houma at the time of death, the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court is where the file will be created. This applies to most property in the estate, even if some assets are held elsewhere.

Forced heirship is a key feature of Louisiana law with no parallel in other states. Under Civil Code Art. 1493, children under 24 years old and permanently incapacitated children of any age are forced heirs. They cannot be entirely disinherited. They are entitled to a forced portion of the estate called the legitime. If a will cuts out a forced heir, that heir can challenge the will in the 32nd JDC, generating additional court filings in the Houma succession record.

Community property rules shape how marital assets are handled at death. Under Civil Code Art. 876, property acquired during a marriage belongs equally to both spouses. When one spouse dies, their half of the community passes through succession. The surviving spouse keeps their own half automatically and does not need to go through court to claim it. Separate property, meaning assets owned before marriage or received by gift or inheritance during the marriage, follows different rules and passes entirely through the succession process.

Small estates may avoid a full court proceeding. Under R.S. 9:1555, heirs can use a small succession affidavit if the net estate value is $125,000 or less and at least 90 days have passed since death. This simplified process saves time and avoids most court costs. A notary can usually prepare the affidavit. Not all asset types qualify for this route, so speaking with a notary or attorney before proceeding is a smart step.

Copy Fees for Houma Probate Records

The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court has a set fee schedule for copies of probate and civil court records. A civil record search costs $15. A criminal record search costs $20. Certified copies are $5 plus $1 per page. Regular uncertified copies cost $1 per page. These rates apply to succession records and other civil case documents held by the office.

Payment is typically accepted in person at the courthouse counter. If you are requesting copies by mail, contact the office at (985) 868-5660 first to confirm the exact cost and the payment method accepted for mail requests. For very old records in physical storage, ask whether there are any additional retrieval fees that apply before submitting your request. Fees can change, so always verify the current schedule before sending payment.

Legal Help in Houma

Houma residents who need legal assistance with a succession matter but cannot afford a private attorney have options. South Central Louisiana Legal Services serves the Houma and Terrebonne Parish area and may be able to help with estate matters for income-qualifying residents. The Terrebonne Parish Bar Association can provide referrals to private attorneys who handle succession cases in the 32nd JDC.

For self-represented individuals, louisianalawhelp.org has plain-language guides on Louisiana succession, small estate affidavits, and how to work with the clerk's office. The Louisiana State Bar Association maintains a statewide attorney referral directory. Clerk staff cannot give legal advice but can explain the filing process and point you to available public resources. For historical records that predate what the Terrebonne clerk holds online, the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge is a valuable secondary source for older South Louisiana estate research.

Terrebonne Parish Probate Court Records

Houma is in Terrebonne Parish. All succession cases for Houma residents are filed with the Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Court under the 32nd Judicial District Court. For full details on the parish clerk, online portals, fees, and all services, visit the Terrebonne Parish probate court records page.

View Terrebonne Parish Probate Court Records