Find Plaquemines Parish Succession Records

Plaquemines Parish probate court records cover succession cases filed through the 25th Judicial District Court in Belle Chasse. The Clerk of Court maintains these records and gives the public access in person, by mail, and through an eSearch portal for select record types. Marriage records extend back to 1809, and land records reach back to 1800, making this one of the more historically rich clerk offices in the state. This guide explains how to find estate and succession filings, what they contain, and what the law requires.

Plaquemines Parish Clerk of Court

Hon. Kim Turlich-Vaughan serves as Clerk of Court for Plaquemines Parish and the 25th Judicial District. The office handles all civil filings, including successions and probate matters, along with criminal records, marriage licenses, and land documents. The physical address is 301 Main Street, Suite 108, Belle Chasse, LA 70037. For mailed requests, use P.O. Box 40, Belle Chasse, LA 70037. The main phone line is (504) 934-6610 and the fax is (504) 934-6629.

Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The office closes on state and federal holidays. If you plan to travel to Belle Chasse from the New Orleans area or further south along the river, call ahead to confirm a specific file is available. Older succession records may require extra time to pull from storage.

How to Search Plaquemines Parish Probate Records

You have three options to access Plaquemines Parish probate court records: visit the clerk's office in person, submit a written request by mail, or use the eSearch portal online. In-person access is free to search and lets you review documents on public terminals at the courthouse. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 40, Belle Chasse, LA 70037, and you should include the name of the deceased, the approximate year of death, and what documents you need.

The eSearch portal is available through the clerk's website at clerk25th.com. A guest login is available, which means you may be able to search without a paid account for basic index information. The portal focuses primarily on marriage and land records. Marriage indices run from January 1, 1896, to the present, with digitized images available from July 2, 1896, forward. Probate and succession records may have more limited online availability, so call the office to confirm what is accessible remotely before spending time searching.

When searching, use the full legal name of the deceased if possible. Searching by approximate date helps narrow results. Case numbers, once known, make retrieval much faster both online and in person. If you are unsure of the exact spelling of a name, the clerk's staff can assist in locating a file.

What Probate Court Records in Plaquemines Parish Contain

Plaquemines Parish probate court records hold all documents filed in a succession case from start to finish. Most files begin with the petition to open the succession. This document names the deceased, lists heirs or legatees, and describes the property subject to distribution. As the case moves through court, the file grows. You may find inventories of real and personal property, accountings of debts and assets, court orders, and the final judgment of possession that formally transfers ownership to the heirs.

Wills are also part of the public record once a succession opens. Louisiana recognizes two main forms: the olographic will, which is fully handwritten and signed by the testator, and the notarial will, which is signed before a notary and two witnesses. Both can be filed with the Plaquemines Parish Clerk and become part of the succession record. If no will exists, the estate passes by intestate succession under the Civil Code.

Under Louisiana R.S. 44:1, probate records are public documents. You do not need to show a family connection or legal interest to request access. Any person can view or copy a succession file once it is in the clerk's records.

Other records held by the Plaquemines Parish Clerk include marriage licenses going back to 1809, divorce records, land conveyances from 1800, and civil and criminal court filings. These records can provide useful context when researching a succession, especially if real property transfers or creditor claims are part of the case.

Louisiana Succession Law and Plaquemines Parish Cases

Louisiana's probate system works differently from the rest of the country. The state follows a civil law tradition rooted in French and Spanish legal codes. Under Civil Code Art. 871, a succession opens the moment a person dies. The estate is then handled through the courts in the parish where the deceased was domiciled. Because Plaquemines Parish is long and narrow, with residents spread from Belle Chasse south to the Gulf, it is worth confirming the correct parish before filing.

Civil Code Art. 873 establishes that the succession is opened in the parish of the deceased's domicile. If property is located in a different parish, additional filings may be needed there as well. The 25th Judicial District Court in Belle Chasse handles all Plaquemines Parish succession matters.

Forced heirship under Civil Code Art. 1493 applies in Louisiana regardless of what a will says. Children under 24, or permanently disabled children of any age, are entitled to a portion of the estate called the legitime. A will cannot cut them out entirely. If you find a succession file where heirs are challenging a will, forced heirship is often the legal basis.

Louisiana's community property rules under Civil Code Art. 876 affect how marital assets are handled at death. Each spouse owns an undivided half of the community. When one spouse dies, that half goes through succession. The surviving spouse keeps their own half outside the succession. Separate property follows different rules and passes directly by will or intestacy.

For smaller estates, R.S. 9:1555 allows heirs to 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 process avoids a full court proceeding and can save significant time and cost. Not every estate qualifies, so review the statute carefully or consult a notary or attorney before proceeding.

Fees for Plaquemines Parish Probate Records

Copy fees in Plaquemines Parish vary by document type. Marriage licenses cost $35. Other copy fees depend on the record requested. Contact the clerk's office at (504) 934-6610 before sending a mail request to get a specific cost estimate. Knowing the exact fee upfront prevents delays and ensures your request is processed without issue.

Payment methods vary. In-person payments are typically accepted by cash or check. For mail requests, the office will advise you on acceptable forms of payment. Do not send cash by mail without first confirming that it is an accepted option.

Historical Records and Additional Resources

Plaquemines Parish has some of the oldest records in Louisiana. Land records reach back to 1800, and marriage records start in 1809. The depth of this archive reflects the parish's long history as a key corridor along the Mississippi River. For records predating the current filing system or for documents that have not been digitized, the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge may have supplemental materials.

The Louisiana Supreme Court website provides general guidance on the court system and how succession cases move through Louisiana courts. If you need help understanding your rights in a succession or want to know what forms to file, that site is a good starting point. Legal aid organizations in the greater New Orleans region may also provide free or low-cost assistance to those who qualify.

Nearby Parishes

These parishes border or are near Plaquemines and maintain their own probate court records through their clerks of court.