---
title: "Louisiana Executor Checklist: First 30 Days | MCC Solutions"
description: "Louisiana executor checklist: first 30 days, up to $200,000 small estate limit, notarized affidavit, 2 will witnesses, official court links."
url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/louisiana-executor-checklist"
---

Executor checklist · Louisiana

# Louisiana executor and estate paperwork checklist

The first 30 days, the small estate route, the will at probate, and the official pages to ask, from this state's own court and statute pages.

**Quick answer.** In the first 30 days, an executor in Louisiana orders certified death certificates, finds the original will, secures the home, car and mail, lists what the person owned and owed, and holds off on paying debts until it's clear who has authority. For the small estate route, Louisiana's official pages give a limit of up to $200,000 and a notarized affidavit; the paperwork goes to the bank or other holder.

✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials)

**Short answer.** Louisiana: up to $200,000 small estate limit; notarized affidavit; handed to the bank or holder; 2 will witnesses; self-proving affidavit allowed. 9 of 11 state facts below are confirmed on official pages; 2 are marked not confirmed, with the page to check.

**This is an organizer, not legal advice.** An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation.

## The first 30 days

Work down the list; nothing you tick is saved or sent. The steps are general, the dates come from the official pages.

- **Order certified death certificates**Through the funeral director or the vital records office. Order several: banks, insurers, pension plans and the court may each want one.
- **Make sure Social Security knows**Funeral homes generally report the death. If not, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). A surviving spouse, or some children if there's no spouse, may get a one-time $255 payment.
- **Locate the signed will and any changes**The signed original matters more than a copy. Keep it whole and somewhere safe, and note who else has a copy.
- **Check the will for a self-proving affidavit**Look for a notarized statement by the witnesses attached to the will; this state allows one (see below).
- **Protect the property**Change locks if keys are out, keep insurance paid, and have the mail forwarded so bills and statements reach you.
- **Don't pay bills or hand out belongings yet**First learn which route fits and who is allowed to act; ask the probate office or an attorney about anything urgent.
- **Stop using the person's power of attorney**A power of attorney ends at the principal's death, so an agent under it can't act for the estate.
- **List what the person owned and owed**Note how each asset is held: in the person's name alone, jointly, or with a named beneficiary. Accounts with a beneficiary or joint owner usually pass outside the will.
- **Compare the estate with $200,000**That's the small estate figure on this state's official page. Count only what the page says counts.
- **Keep an account of every transaction**Write down each payment and each deposit with the date and a receipt; heirs and the court may ask to see it.
- **Once you have authority: EIN and an estate account**The IRS says you need an EIN before filing the estate's Form 1041, which is due if the estate has more than $600 of gross income in a year.

Sources for the federal steps: [Social Security Administration: When someone dies](https://ssa.gov/personal-record/when-someone-dies) · [IRS: Deceased taxpayers, filing the estate income tax return (Form 1041)](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/deceased-taxpayers-filing-the-estate-income-tax-return-form-1041) · power of attorney: [Power of attorney at a real estate closing](/notary/guides/power-of-attorney-at-a-real-estate-closing).

## The small estate route

- #### ConfirmedSmall estate limit For a person who died domiciled in Louisiana, property with a gross value of $200,000 or less at the date of death; $125,000 for Louisiana property of a person domiciled elsewhere; any value if the death was at least 20 years before the affidavit."a gross value of two hundred thousand dollars or less valued as of the date of death" Sources: [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 3421, Small successions defined (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=111765); [Résumé digest, Act 90 (SB 32) of the 2024 Regular Session (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1382817); [LouisianaLawHelp (secondary source): Navigating Louisiana's Small Succession Affidavit (LouisianaLawHelp, reviewed Mar 16, 2026)](https://louisianalawhelp.org/resource/louisiana-small-successions-guide), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedReal estate Real estate counts toward the value, and the procedure can reach it. Sources: [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 3421, Small successions defined (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=111765); [Résumé digest, Act 90 (SB 32) of the 2024 Regular Session (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1382817); [LouisianaLawHelp (secondary source): Navigating Louisiana's Small Succession Affidavit (LouisianaLawHelp, reviewed Mar 16, 2026)](https://louisianalawhelp.org/resource/louisiana-small-successions-guide), checked November 2026
- #### Not confirmedWaiting period after the death Not confirmed — check [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 3421, Small successions defined (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=111765).
- #### ConfirmedNotary or oath Signed before a notary. Signed before a notary, and in some cases two witnesses too, as LouisianaLawHelp's guide describes it."notarized and signed by two competent witnesses" Source: [LouisianaLawHelp (secondary source): Navigating Louisiana's Small Succession Affidavit (LouisianaLawHelp, reviewed Mar 16, 2026)](https://louisianalawhelp.org/resource/louisiana-small-successions-guide), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedWhere the paperwork goes Handed to the bank or other holder. Given directly to the bank or other holder, with no court filing; for real estate it's filed with the parish Clerk of Court, and for a vehicle it goes to the Office of Motor Vehicles (LouisianaLawHelp's guide)."You give the affidavit directly to the bank, financial institution, or agency holding the property" Source: [LouisianaLawHelp (secondary source): Navigating Louisiana's Small Succession Affidavit (LouisianaLawHelp, reviewed Mar 16, 2026)](https://louisianalawhelp.org/resource/louisiana-small-successions-guide), checked November 2026
- #### Not confirmedOfficial form Not confirmed — check [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 3421, Small successions defined (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=111765).
- #### ConfirmedSimplified court procedure Small succession affidavit: Heirs and the surviving spouse handle a small succession by affidavit instead of a court-opened succession; an endorsed copy is authority for paying money or delivering property. Sources: [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 3421, Small successions defined (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=111765); [Résumé digest, Act 90 (SB 32) of the 2024 Regular Session (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1382817); [LouisianaLawHelp (secondary source): Navigating Louisiana's Small Succession Affidavit (LouisianaLawHelp, reviewed Mar 16, 2026)](https://louisianalawhelp.org/resource/louisiana-small-successions-guide), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedWorth knowing Article 3421 was most recently amended by Acts 2026, No. 293. Act 90 of 2024 (effective August 1, 2024) let testate small successions with immovable property use the affidavit. Source: [Résumé digest, Act 90 (SB 32) of the 2024 Regular Session (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1382817), checked November 2026

## The will at probate

Signing rules for wills, as they bear on getting the will accepted.

- #### ConfirmedWitnesses the will needed Two witnesses and a notary. A notarial testament is signed before a notary public in the presence of two witnesses, and the testator, each witness and the notary sign it."signed by the testator, each witness, and the notary" Sources: [La. Civil Code art. 1576, Notarial testament; requirements of form (Louisiana Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=108901); [La. Civil Code art. 1575, Olographic testament; requirements of form (Louisiana Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108900); [La. Code of Civil Procedure art. 2887, Notarial testament (Louisiana Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/LEGIS/Law.aspx?d=111564); [La. Civil Code art. 1577 (repealed by Acts 2025, No. 30), Louisiana Legislature](https://legis.la.gov/LEGIS/LawPrint.aspx?d=108902); [Louisiana Civil Code art. 1582, Effect of witness or notary as legatee (Louisiana State Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108908); [La. Civil Code art. 1476, Minors; incapacity to make donations, exceptions (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108796), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedSelf-proving affidavit Built into the notarial testament: signed on each page with a declaration signed by the notary and the witnesses, it can be accepted without further proof (Code of Civil Procedure art. 2887)."In our presence the testator has declared or signified that this instrument is his testament" Sources: [La. Civil Code art. 1576, Notarial testament; requirements of form (Louisiana Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=108901); [La. Civil Code art. 1575, Olographic testament; requirements of form (Louisiana Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108900); [La. Code of Civil Procedure art. 2887, Notarial testament (Louisiana Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/LEGIS/Law.aspx?d=111564); [La. Civil Code art. 1577 (repealed by Acts 2025, No. 30), Louisiana Legislature](https://legis.la.gov/LEGIS/LawPrint.aspx?d=108902); [Louisiana Civil Code art. 1582, Effect of witness or notary as legatee (Louisiana State Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108908); [La. Civil Code art. 1476, Minors; incapacity to make donations, exceptions (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108796), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedIf the will is handwritten Recognized as an olographic testament if entirely written, dated and signed in the testator's handwriting."entirely written, dated, and signed in the handwriting of the testator" Sources: [La. Civil Code art. 1576, Notarial testament; requirements of form (Louisiana Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=108901); [La. Civil Code art. 1575, Olographic testament; requirements of form (Louisiana Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108900); [La. Code of Civil Procedure art. 2887, Notarial testament (Louisiana Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/LEGIS/Law.aspx?d=111564); [La. Civil Code art. 1577 (repealed by Acts 2025, No. 30), Louisiana Legislature](https://legis.la.gov/LEGIS/LawPrint.aspx?d=108902); [Louisiana Civil Code art. 1582, Effect of witness or notary as legatee (Louisiana State Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108908); [La. Civil Code art. 1476, Minors; incapacity to make donations, exceptions (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108796), checked November 2026
- #### ConfirmedA witness who inherits The testament stays valid, but a legacy to a witness or to the notary is invalid. A witness who would inherit with no will can still take the smaller of that share or the legacy (Civil Code art. 1582)."The fact that a witness or the notary is a legatee does not invalidate the testament." Sources: [La. Civil Code art. 1576, Notarial testament; requirements of form (Louisiana Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=108901); [La. Civil Code art. 1575, Olographic testament; requirements of form (Louisiana Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108900); [La. Code of Civil Procedure art. 2887, Notarial testament (Louisiana Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/LEGIS/Law.aspx?d=111564); [La. Civil Code art. 1577 (repealed by Acts 2025, No. 30), Louisiana Legislature](https://legis.la.gov/LEGIS/LawPrint.aspx?d=108902); [Louisiana Civil Code art. 1582, Effect of witness or notary as legatee (Louisiana State Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108908); [La. Civil Code art. 1476, Minors; incapacity to make donations, exceptions (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=108796), checked November 2026

## Want us to handle it?

We order certified records, pick up and deliver documents, get the small estate affidavit signed and notarized, and file papers near where the estate is, in any state. We are not lawyers.

**Price:** Quote-based, from $199 per job plus government and court fees at cost. Starting rates. Your exact price is quoted after we confirm a local notary/runner, before you pay.

[Ask for estate paperwork help](/notary/estate-paperwork-help-out-of-state#request)

## Documents to gather

- Pension, Social Security and benefit letters
- Safe deposit box location and keys
- Certified death certificates
- The original will and any codicils
- Deeds and mortgage statements
- Vehicle titles and registrations
- Recent bank, brokerage and retirement statements
- Life insurance policies and annuities
- The last few years of tax returns
- Recent bills, loan and credit card statements

## Who to notify

Social Security (if the funeral home hasn't), Banks and credit unions, Brokerage and retirement accounts, Life insurance companies, Utilities and phone, Landlord or mortgage servicer, Credit card companies, Pension or employer. Send a short letter with a copy of the death certificate, and keep a log of who you told and when.

## Documents needed abroad

- #### ConfirmedA death certificate needed abroad Apostilles for this state's documents come from the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commissions Division. $20 per document; $10 per document if the content relates to an adoption. Vital records: Original certified copies from Vital Records; photocopies are not accepted, and these don't need to be notarized. Source: [Louisiana Secretary of State, Commissions Division](https://www.sos.la.gov/NotaryAndCertifications/Certifications/AuthenticateSignaturesOfLouisianaOfficials/Pages/default.aspx), checked November 2026

## Where to ask

An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. Official pages for Louisiana:

- [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 3421, Small successions defined (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=111765)
- [Résumé digest, Act 90 (SB 32) of the 2024 Regular Session (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1382817)
- [Navigating Louisiana's Small Succession Affidavit (LouisianaLawHelp, reviewed Mar 16, 2026)](https://louisianalawhelp.org/resource/louisiana-small-successions-guide)
- [La. Civil Code art. 1576, Notarial testament; requirements of form (Louisiana Legislature)](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=108901)

## Still to confirm

- Waiting period after the death: check [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 3421, Small successions defined (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=111765)
- Official form: check [Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 3421, Small successions defined (Louisiana Legislature)](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=111765)

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. We are not lawyers, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm. An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. Facts checked November 2026.

## Common questions

**Is there a small estate route in Louisiana?**

On the official pages we read: For a person who died domiciled in Louisiana, property with a gross value of $200,000 or less at the date of death; $125,000 for Louisiana property of a person domiciled elsewhere; any value if the death was at least 20 years before the affidavit. Handed to the bank or other holder. Given directly to the bank or other holder, with no court filing; for real estate it's filed with the parish Clerk of Court, and for a vehicle it goes to the Office of Motor Vehicles (LouisianaLawHelp's guide).

**Does the small estate paperwork in Louisiana need a notary?**

Signed before a notary. Signed before a notary, and in some cases two witnesses too, as LouisianaLawHelp's guide describes it.

**How many witnesses did a will in Louisiana need?**

Two witnesses and a notary. A notarial testament is signed before a notary public in the presence of two witnesses, and the testator, each witness and the notary sign it.

**What about a self-proving affidavit in Louisiana?**

Built into the notarial testament: signed on each page with a declaration signed by the notary and the witnesses, it can be accepted without further proof (Code of Civil Procedure art. 2887).

**What if the only will in Louisiana is handwritten?**

Recognized as an olographic testament if entirely written, dated and signed in the testator's handwriting.

**Who answers questions about an estate in Louisiana?**

An estate attorney or the county probate/surrogate office answers questions about your situation. The official pages behind this checklist: Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Art. 3421, Small successions defined (Louisiana Legislature).

Related: [Executor guide by state](/notary/executor-guide-by-state) · [Estate paperwork help](/notary/estate-paperwork-help-out-of-state)

## Family far from the estate?

[See estate paperwork help](/notary/estate-paperwork-help-out-of-state)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)