Search Kenner Probate Court Records
Kenner probate court records and succession filings are maintained by the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court in Gretna, not in Kenner itself. Kenner is a city within Jefferson Parish, and all succession cases for Kenner residents go to the parish clerk's office at 200 Derbigny Street, Suite 5600, Gretna, LA 70053. This guide covers how to search those records, what a succession file contains, how the online system works, and what Louisiana law requires.
Kenner Quick Facts
Where to File Probate Records in Kenner
Kenner does not have its own Clerk of Court. All succession filings for Kenner residents go to the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court in Gretna, the parish seat. Clerk Jon A. Gegenheimer oversees the office and all records held there. There is no separate probate court in Kenner. The Jefferson 1st Parish Court is located in Kenner and handles some local civil and small claims matters, but succession and probate filings must go to Gretna.
The Jefferson Parish Clerk's office is at 200 Derbigny Street, Suite 5600, Gretna, LA 70053. The main phone number is (504) 364-2900. The website is jpclerkofcourt.us. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. If you are coming from Kenner, Gretna is accessible via the Crescent City Connection bridge. There is no satellite office in Kenner for succession matters, so plan the trip to Gretna when you need to file or get certified copies.
Jefferson Parish records cover all cities within the parish, including Kenner, Metairie, Marrero, and Terrytown. All of these communities file succession cases at the same Gretna office. If a deceased person lived in Kenner, the case belongs in Jefferson Parish regardless of where their property or heirs are located.
| Clerk | Jon A. Gegenheimer |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 Derbigny Street, Suite 5600, Gretna, LA 70053 |
| Phone | (504) 364-2900 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | jpclerkofcourt.us |
How to Search Kenner Probate Court Records
You can search Kenner succession records three ways: in person at the Gretna courthouse, online through the Jefferson Parish Clerk's online portal at jpclerkofcourt.us, or by mailing a written request. In-person access is free to search. You pay only when ordering copies of documents. Public terminals in the clerk's office let you look up cases by name or case number at no charge.
The online system provides access to civil cases, criminal records, land records, and marriage records. For probate and succession matters, search under civil cases. The portal covers records going back many years and gives access to both case indexes and, for digitized files, document images. This is especially helpful if you want to confirm a case exists and see what has been filed before making the trip to Gretna.
Mail requests go to the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court at 200 Derbigny Street, Suite 5600, Gretna, LA 70053. Include the name of the deceased, the approximate year of death or filing, and a description of what you need. The clerk's office will confirm the record exists and quote a fee before sending copies. Do not send payment until the office confirms the total.
Online Access for Kenner Succession Records
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court provides online access to court records at jpclerkofcourt.us. The system covers civil cases, which includes all succession and probate filings for Kenner residents. You can search by party name, case number, or document type. For estate research, searching by the name of the deceased is usually the fastest approach.
Once you find a case, the portal shows docket entries and, for records that have been digitized, actual document images. This lets you view what has been filed without having to go to Gretna in person. If you need a certified copy for a legal or financial transaction, you still have to order that through the clerk's office, but the online system can help you identify exactly which documents you need before placing that order.
In addition to succession records, the portal gives access to civil suits, criminal records, marriage records, property conveyances, and mortgages. If you are researching a deceased person's full property history in Jefferson Parish, all of these record types are available through the same platform. For questions about online access or account setup, call the main office at (504) 364-2900 during business hours.
What Records Are in a Kenner Succession File
A succession file for a Kenner resident held at the Jefferson Parish Clerk's office in Gretna contains all court documents generated during the estate proceeding. The file opens with a petition to begin the succession. That petition names the deceased, identifies the heirs, and lists the assets subject to distribution. Everything filed afterward becomes part of the same case file.
Inside a typical succession file you may find a sworn descriptive list of assets and debts, an inventory of real and personal property if the court ordered one, any wills or codicils presented for probate, orders appointing a succession representative, and the final judgment of possession. The judgment of possession transfers legal title of estate assets from the succession to the heirs. It is the document that banks, title companies, and other institutions require before releasing assets or updating property ownership records.
Wills filed with the Jefferson Parish Clerk become public records once a succession is opened. Louisiana recognizes two main will types: olographic wills, which are written entirely by hand and signed by the person making the will, and notarial wills, which are signed in front of a notary and two witnesses. Both types are filed with the court and enter the public record when the succession proceeds.
Under Louisiana R.S. 44:1, all probate court records are public documents. Anyone can request and review a succession file. Access is not limited to heirs or attorneys. The only records that may be sealed are those subject to a specific court order or those involving minor children in limited circumstances.
Louisiana Succession Law for Kenner Residents
Louisiana uses civil law for succession matters, which differs from the common-law probate rules in every other U.S. state. The system has French and Spanish roots and operates through specific rules that Kenner residents should understand before opening an estate in Jefferson Parish.
Under Civil Code Art. 871, a succession opens at the exact moment of death. The estate is then handled through the court in the parish where the deceased last lived. For Kenner residents, that is the 24th Judicial District Court in Jefferson Parish, with filings at the Gretna clerk's office. Civil Code Art. 873 confirms that succession is filed in the parish of domicile. Where the property sits or where the heirs live does not change the filing location.
Louisiana is a community property state. Under Civil Code Art. 876, assets acquired during marriage belong equally to both spouses. When one spouse dies, only their half of the community estate passes through succession. The surviving spouse retains their own half automatically without going through court. Separate property, which includes assets owned before the marriage or received by gift or inheritance during the marriage, passes through the succession in full.
Forced heirship is one of the most distinctive features of Louisiana estate law. Under Civil Code Art. 1493, children under the age of 24 are forced heirs and are entitled to a protected share of the estate called the legitime. Children of any age who are permanently incapacitated are also forced heirs. A will that attempts to cut out a forced heir does not prevent that heir from going to court to claim their protected portion.
For smaller estates, R.S. 9:1555 allows a simplified process using a small succession affidavit when the net estate value is $125,000 or less and at least 90 days have passed since the death. A notary typically handles this process. Not all estates qualify, so confirm eligibility with the clerk's office or an attorney before choosing this route over a full court succession.
Copy Fees for Kenner Probate Records
The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court charges fees for copies of court records. Contact the office at (504) 364-2900 to confirm current rates before placing an order. Regular uncertified copies carry a per-page charge. Certified copies, which carry the clerk's official seal and are required for legal transactions and financial account transfers, include an additional certification fee on top of the per-page cost.
If you are ordering copies by mail, the clerk's office will confirm the total fee before processing. Include a clear description of what you need, including the name of the deceased and the approximate case date or number. Payment must be received before copies are mailed. For urgent requests, call the office first to discuss what is possible within your timeline.
Legal Help in Kenner
Kenner residents who need help with a succession but cannot afford a private attorney have options in the Jefferson Parish area. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-qualifying residents in Jefferson Parish and surrounding areas, including assistance with succession and estate matters.
The Louisiana State Bar Association maintains a statewide referral directory where you can find probate and estate attorneys licensed in Louisiana. The Jefferson Parish Bar Association also handles local referrals. For those managing records research on their own, eClerks LA provides information on electronic filing and record access across multiple Louisiana parishes. The Louisiana Supreme Court website has general information on the state court system and how succession proceedings work through district courts. Other cities in Jefferson Parish, including Metairie, Marrero, and Terrytown, all file their succession cases at the same Gretna clerk's office.
Jefferson Parish Probate Court Records
Kenner is in Jefferson Parish. All succession cases for Kenner residents are filed with the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court at 200 Derbigny Street in Gretna. For full details on the clerk office, online portals, fees, and all available services, visit the Jefferson Parish probate court records page.