Search Slidell Probate Court Records

Slidell probate court records and succession filings are handled by the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court under Clerk Melissa H. Schmand. Slidell residents file succession cases at the main Justice Center in Covington, though a Slidell Annex at 520 Old Spanish Trail accepts civil documents and offers a range of clerk services closer to home. This guide covers where to file, how to search records, what the online portal offers, what you will find in a succession file, and what fees apply.

Where to File Probate Records in Slidell

Slidell is in St. Tammany Parish, so succession cases go to the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court. The main office is at the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center, 701 N. Columbia Street, Covington, LA 70433. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1090, Covington, LA 70434. Main phone is (985) 809-8700. For civil department matters, call (985) 809-8733. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Note that protective orders are not processed after 3:00 PM.

The Slidell Annex is located at 520 Old Spanish Trail, 5th Floor, Slidell, LA 70458. The Slidell phone number is (985) 643-6969. This location handles marriage licenses, passports, recordings, land searches, and civil document acceptance. Keep in mind that the Slidell Annex cannot receive mail or packages. For anything you need to send by mail, use the Covington address only. Succession filings and case-specific matters typically go through the main Covington office.

How to Search Slidell Probate Court Records

You can search St. Tammany Parish succession records in person at the Justice Center in Covington, by mail, or online through the clerk's public records portals. In-person access is free. Show up at the main office, give staff the name of the deceased or a case number, and they can pull the file for you. If you want to view a file first before ordering copies, in-person is your best option.

For older records, the Archives office is in the Basement Level of the Justice Center in Covington. The Archives phone is (985) 809-8746, and you can also reach staff by email at Archives@sttammanyclerk.org. St. Tammany Parish was created in 1810, and the Archives holds records from 1810 through 1996. If you need a succession record from the 19th or early 20th century, the Archives is where to start.

Mail requests go to P.O. Box 1090, Covington, LA 70434. Do not mail to the Slidell Annex. Include the full name of the deceased, the approximate year of filing or death, and a description of the documents you need. Staff will confirm whether the record exists and give you the cost before processing your order. Credit card payments now carry a 2.75% processing fee effective January 1, 2026.

Online Access for Slidell Succession Records

The St. Tammany Parish Clerk offers two online systems for public records access. The first is the "Legacy" Public Records Program, and the second is Odyssey WebROA. Both are available through the clerk's website at sttammanyclerk.org. Together they give you access to a wide range of records from Covington and across St. Tammany Parish.

Here is what each system covers. Mortgage and Conveyance records are available with data from 1961 to present and images from 1977 to present. Maps go back to 1810. Marriage records are searchable from 1810 to present. Civil case data is available from 1992 to present, and criminal case data from 1988 to present. Subscriptions range from $20 per day to $360 per year, so the cost depends on how often you need access. An e-certification option is also available for certified digital copies.

What Records Are in a Slidell Succession File

A succession file in St. Tammany Parish starts with a petition to open the succession. The petition names the deceased, lists the heirs, and identifies assets subject to distribution. As the case moves through the 22nd Judicial District Court, more documents are added. You can expect to find inventories of real and personal property, statements of debts and obligations, court orders, and a final judgment of possession transferring the estate to the heirs.

Wills are part of the public record once a succession is opened. Louisiana recognizes olographic wills, which the testator writes and signs entirely by hand, and notarial wills, signed before a notary and two witnesses. Both become public once filed. You do not need to be related to the deceased to view a will.

Other documents that can appear in a succession include tutorship petitions when minor children are involved, interdiction proceedings for incapacitated individuals, affidavits of heirship, and pleadings over disputed wills. Under Louisiana R.S. 44:1, all of these are public records. Anyone can request access without proving a family connection.

Louisiana Succession Law for Slidell Residents

Louisiana succession law is different from every other state. It comes from a civil law tradition based on French and Spanish codes, not English common law. Under Civil Code Art. 871, a succession opens at the moment of death. The estate is then administered in the parish where the deceased was domiciled, which for Slidell residents means St. Tammany Parish and the 22nd JDC.

Civil Code Art. 873 sets the rule that succession is filed in the parish of the deceased's domicile. This applies to movable property anywhere and to immovable property in Louisiana. If a Slidell resident owned land in a neighboring parish, that property may still come through St. Tammany Parish court depending on the circumstances.

Louisiana has forced heirship. Under Civil Code Art. 1493, children under 24 or permanently incapacitated children are forced heirs. They are entitled to a set share of the estate called the legitime. A parent cannot cut a forced heir out entirely. If someone tries, the forced heir can challenge the will in court.

Louisiana is also a community property state. Under Civil Code Art. 876, property acquired during marriage belongs equally to both spouses. When one dies, only their half of the community goes through succession. The survivor keeps their own half outright. Separate property, assets owned before marriage or received by gift or inheritance during marriage, follows different rules and passes fully through the succession.

For smaller estates, R.S. 9:1555 allows a simplified small succession affidavit when the net estate is $125,000 or less and at least 90 days have passed since death. This avoids a full court proceeding. Not every estate qualifies, and an attorney or notary can help you decide if this route applies.

Copy Fees for Slidell Probate Records

The St. Tammany Parish Clerk charges $1 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost $10 per document. These fees apply to succession records and other civil court documents. Certified copies carry the clerk's official stamp and are often required for property transfers, bank account closures, and out-of-state estate proceedings.

For vital records, birth certificates cost $34 and death certificates cost $26. These are issued through the clerk's office rather than through the Louisiana Department of Health in some cases. Credit card payments now carry a 2.75% fee as of January 1, 2026, so if cost is a concern, bringing cash or a check may save a small amount. Always confirm current fees by calling (985) 809-8700 before mailing payment.

Legal Help in Slidell

If you need help with a succession in Slidell but cannot afford full attorney fees, several resources are available. The Louisiana State Bar Association runs a statewide lawyer referral service that can connect you with an estate attorney who handles St. Tammany Parish matters. Many offer a reduced-rate first consultation.

For income-qualifying residents, louisianalawhelp.org has self-help guides on succession, small estates, and navigating clerk offices without an attorney. The Louisiana Supreme Court website provides general information about the state court system and court rules. For online record access and statewide search tools, eClerks LA offers a portal that connects to clerk offices across Louisiana, including St. Tammany Parish.

St. Tammany Parish Probate Court Records

Slidell is in St. Tammany Parish. All succession cases for Slidell residents are filed with the St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court. For full details on the parish clerk, online portals, fees, archives, and all available services, visit the St. Tammany Parish probate court records page.

View St. Tammany Parish Probate Court Records