Last updated: May 10, 2026
TL;DR
The five must-have documents to start a Louisiana succession are the certified death certificate (order at least 3 copies), the original will (if any), the property deed or tax assessment, the names and addresses of all heirs, and the marriage certificate (if applicable). Missing documents are the #1 cause of succession delays.
The most common cause of succession delays is missing documents. Here is a complete checklist of everything you need to gather before contacting a succession attorney — so you can hit the ground running.
Required Documents for Every Succession
1. Certified Death Certificate
You need a certified copy of the death certificate — not the informational copy provided by the funeral home. A certified copy has a raised seal from the Louisiana Vital Records Registry (or the vital records office of the state where the death occurred).
How to obtain: Order online at ldh.la.gov or in person at the Vital Records office in New Orleans. Allow 2–5 business days for processing. Order at least 3 certified copies. Cost: approximately $15–$25 per copy.
2. Last Will and Testament (If One Exists)
If the deceased left a will, you need the original document — not a photocopy. Louisiana courts require the original will for most succession proceedings. Look in: the deceased’s home files or safe deposit box, the deceased’s attorney’s office, the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Notarial Archives (if registered), or the parish courthouse (if previously probated).
Important: If the will is handwritten (olographic), it must be probated before the succession can proceed. This adds 2–4 weeks to the timeline. (Compare: Louisiana Succession With a Will vs. Without a Will.)
3. Property Deed or Tax Assessment
For each piece of real estate in the estate, you need either the original property deed or a tax assessment from the parish assessor’s office showing the property’s assessed value and legal description. Most Louisiana parishes have online property search tools.
4. Basic Heir Information
For each heir: full legal name, current mailing address, date of birth, Social Security number (for the Descriptive List), and relationship to the deceased.
Additional Documents for Specific Situations
- If married: marriage certificate (certified copy), divorce decree (if applicable), and any matrimonial agreement
- If bank accounts: account numbers and approximate balances, and the name of each financial institution
- If vehicles: vehicle title(s) or VIN numbers, current registration
- If mineral interests: division orders or royalty statements showing the legal description, and the name of the oil and gas company
- If domiciled outside Louisiana: certified copy of the foreign will (if any) and Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the home state’s probate court (see: Inheriting Louisiana Property From Out of State)
Documents You Do NOT Need
- Bank statements (approximate balances are enough)
- Tax returns
- Life insurance policies (unless payable to the estate)
- Retirement account statements (these typically pass by beneficiary designation, not through succession)
- Appraisals (tax assessments are sufficient for uncontested successions)
Document Checklist Summary
| Document | Required? | Where to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Certified death certificate (3 copies) | Always | Louisiana Vital Records |
| Original will | If will exists | Deceased’s files or attorney |
| Property deed or tax assessment | If real estate | Parish assessor |
| Heir names, addresses, DOB, SSN | Always | Your records |
| Marriage certificate | If married | Vital Records |
| Divorce decree | If divorced | Courthouse |
| Vehicle title | If vehicles | Your records |
| Mineral interest documentation | If minerals | Oil company / assessor |
Have your documents? Let’s start.
Send us what you have — we’ll tell you what’s missing and quote a flat fee within 24 hours.
Related from Pelican: Uncontested Louisiana Succession, Ancillary Louisiana Succession, Complex Louisiana Succession, How to Open a Succession, Small Succession Affidavit.
Related Reading
- How to Open a Succession in Louisiana
- Louisiana Small Succession Affidavit
- How Much Does a Louisiana Succession Cost?
- Uncontested Louisiana Succession (service page)
About the Author
Ronald C. Cantin is the principal attorney at Pelican Succession Law and a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association (#39827). His practice concentrates on Louisiana successions, forced heirship, mineral-rights succession, and ancillary representation for out-of-state heirs across all 64 parishes.
Disclaimer. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. For advice on your specific situation, consult a Louisiana attorney. Pelican Succession Law’s attorneys are licensed only in Louisiana. Attorney Advertising.
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