A Louisiana “Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate” is the sworn list of everything a person owned, and owed, that the court uses to settle their affairs. In modern Louisiana practice, most people meet this requirement by filing a Sworn Detailed Descriptive List instead of a costly notarial inventory, which lets you describe each asset and set its fair market value as of the date of death under Code of Civil Procedure Article 3136.
The same words, “detailed descriptive list,” also name a second, very different document used in divorce, where two spouses list their community assets and debts on the statewide Appendix 30.0A blank form revised July 1, 2017. This guide walks you through both uses, line by line, so you do not confuse the succession version with the divorce version. Getting this wrong is not rare: succession attorneys report that an incorrectly prepared list is one of the top causes of delayed Judgments of Possession, sometimes adding weeks or months to a case that should close in a single filing.
Here is what you will learn:
- 📋 What the form is, which version applies to your case, and who must sign it
- 🏠 How to write a legal property description so you do not cloud the title
- 💵 How to set fair market value at the date of death and avoid lowball or guess values
- ⚖️ How to separate community property from separate property the right way
- ❓ Twelve plus FAQs that answer the field-level questions filers ask most
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Louisiana “Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate” is, in plain English, the official accounting of what the estate contains. The word succession in Louisiana means the legal process of settling a deceased person’s estate and passing their property to heirs after debts are paid, as the Grand Law Firm explains. The court cannot put property into the hands of heirs until it knows what that property is and what it is worth.
There are two ways to satisfy this requirement, and you pick one. The first is a formal inventory taken by a notary under Code of Civil Procedure Articles 3131 through 3135, which is slower and more expensive. The second, and far more common, is the Sworn Detailed Descriptive List, which any interested party may file without judicial authority under Article 3136. Because the descriptive list saves time and money, most uncontested successions use it.
Who must file depends on the case. In a succession, the list must be sworn to by an heir, a legatee, the executor, the administrator, or another interested party, as the Loyola Pro Bono Desk Manual describes. In an independent administration, the independent administrator verifies the list under Article 3396.18. In a divorce, each spouse, or both spouses jointly, files the descriptive list of community property between them.
The stakes are real. An executor who signs the list is swearing to the court that the information is true, so leaving off a known bank account or guessing at a home’s value can expose that person to claims from heirs. A married decedent’s estate usually includes their separate property plus only one-half of the community property, which is the single most common point of confusion in the entire process.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather your paperwork before you open the form, because a half-finished list invites mistakes. Every item below matters, and a missing piece can stall your filing or force you to amend it later.
- Death certificate. You need the exact date of death because that date fixes every value on the list; without it you cannot value a single asset correctly.
- The will, if one exists. The will tells you whether you are filing a testate or intestate succession and who the legatees are; filing without it can route property to the wrong heirs.
- Property deeds and prior conveyances. You must copy the legal description of any real estate word for word; a street address alone is not enough and using one can cloud the title.
- Mortgage statements. These show the debt against real estate and confirm the legal description; missing them can leave a community debt off the list.
- Bank and credit union statements. You need the balance on the date of death for each account; estimating a balance can misstate the estate’s value.
- Brokerage and investment statements. Stocks, bonds, and mutual funds are valued at date of death; without statements you cannot prove the figure you swear to.
- Vehicle titles. Cars, boats, and trailers titled to the decedent are succession assets; a missing title can cause a vehicle to be overlooked.
- Beneficiary designations. These tell you what to exclude, such as life insurance and IRAs paid to a named person; not checking them is how filers wrongly inflate the estate.
- Recent tax bills and appraisals. These support your fair market values for real estate; without support, the court or a title examiner may question your numbers.
- Marriage and divorce records. Dates of marriage and divorce control the community-versus-separate analysis; missing dates make it impossible to classify property.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
For divorce cases, Louisiana publishes a statewide fill-in form. You can download the official Sworn Detailed Descriptive List, Appendix 30.0A directly from the Louisiana Supreme Court’s district court rules. The form is a fillable PDF with Save Form and Print Form buttons, and it carries the revision date Revised July 1, 2017 at the bottom, so confirm you have that version before you start.
Some judicial districts publish their own variation. The 15th Judicial District, for example, offers a Joint Detailed Descriptive List, Appendix 30.0C for spouses who file together. Always check your parish’s local rules, because a few districts require their own header or an extra page.
For successions, there is no single statewide fill-in PDF. The descriptive list is drafted as a pleading that follows the requirements in Article 3136 and is filed with the Petition for Possession, the Affidavit of Death, Domicile, and Heirship, and the proposed Judgment of Possession. You can find sample formats in the Loyola Pro Bono Desk Manual, and many parish clerks of court post local succession checklists on their websites.
Access is free in both cases. The form itself costs nothing to download, and you pay only the court’s filing fee when you submit the full set of pleadings. If you cannot print at home, the clerk of court in the parish of filing can usually direct you to a public terminal or accept a typed document that mirrors the required content.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Sworn Detailed Descriptive List Line by Line
This section walks through every field on the form. The divorce form (Appendix 30.0A) has labeled boxes, so it drives the walkthrough, and each step also notes how the same idea applies in a succession. Use the exact field names printed on the form.
Caption: Court, Parties, Docket Number, and Parish
The top of the form asks for the Judicial District Court, the Petitioner, the Defendant, the Docket No., and the Parish. In plain English, this is the heading that tells the clerk which case the list belongs to. Fill in the blanks exactly as they appear on your petition, so the district number, the docket number, and the parish all match the case already on file.
For example, Maria Boudreaux writes 15th in the Judicial District Court blank, Maria Boudreaux as Petitioner, Paul Boudreaux as Defendant, 2026-1234 as the Docket No., and Lafayette as the Parish. In a succession, the caption instead reads Succession of [Decedent’s Name] with the succession docket number, because there is no petitioner versus defendant.
A common edge case is a name change or a misspelled party name on the original petition. If the petition spells it Boudreax, copy that spelling here even if it is wrong, then fix both later, because the clerk matches documents by exact caption. The most common mistake is using a different docket number than the petition, which causes the clerk to reject the filing or place it in the wrong file. A frequent misconception is that the caption is just a formality; in truth, a mismatched caption can stop your list from ever reaching the judge.
Sworn Declaration and “As Of” Date
The form’s opening paragraph says the appearer, after being duly sworn, declares that the list contains all community assets and debts, reimbursement, and accounting claims existing between the parties as of the _ day of _, 20__. In plain English, this is your oath and the date you are valuing everything against. Write the controlling date in the blanks, then enter the appearer’s full legal name in the line that follows “came and appeared.”
For example, Maria Boudreaux writes the date her divorce petition was filed, such as 3rd day of February, 2026, because in a community property case that date often ends the community. In a succession, the controlling date is always the date of death, so Henry Trahan’s heir writes 11th day of January, 2026 if that is when Henry died.
A nuance arises when spouses dispute when the community ended. If you are unsure, use the date the divorce petition was filed and let the court adjudicate any dispute later. The most common mistake is leaving this date blank, which makes every value on the list ambiguous and open to challenge. People often wrongly believe the date is the day they sign the form; it is not, it is the valuation date that fixes balances and prices.
Date of Marriage, Date Petition for Divorce Filed, Date of Judgment of Divorce
The divorce form asks for three dates: Date of Marriage, Date Petition for Divorce Filed, and Date of Judgment of Divorce. These dates frame the life of the community, which began at marriage and ends by law on the date the petition was filed once a divorce is granted. Write each date in MM/DD/YYYY form, and leave the Date of Judgment of Divorce blank if no judgment has been signed yet.
For example, Maria Boudreaux writes 06/14/2008 for Date of Marriage, 02/03/2026 for Date Petition for Divorce Filed, and leaves the judgment date empty because her divorce is still pending. In a succession, these three fields do not appear; the date of death replaces them.
An edge case is a couple who signed a matrimonial agreement, also called a prenuptial agreement, that opted out of community property. If so, note it, because there may be little or no community to list. The most common mistake is entering the date the divorce was first discussed rather than the date the petition was actually filed with the clerk, which can shift which paychecks and debts count as community. A widespread misconception is that the community ends when the couple separates; under Louisiana law it generally ends on the filing date, retroactive to filing, once the divorce is granted.
Section I: Community Assets — Immovable Property
Section I, the Immovable Property subsection, asks for the Property Description, who it is Possessed By, and its Value, with numbered lines 1 through 5. Immovable property means land and anything permanently attached, like a house. Enter the legal description copied exactly from the deed or mortgage, not the street address, then state who lives in or controls it, then the fair market value.
For example, Maria Boudreaux writes Lot 7, Square 4, Greenbriar Subdivision, Lafayette Parish, per COB 1123, Folio 456 in Property Description, Maria (possession) under Possessed By, and $285,000 as Value. In a succession, Henry Trahan’s heir lists the same kind of legal description but values the home at its date-of-death fair market value.
The legal description is the field filers get wrong most. The Loyola Pro Bono Desk Manual warns that a street address is not adequate and that copying the description incorrectly can create a cloud over the title. The direct consequence is that a title examiner may refuse to clear the property for sale, forcing a corrective filing. A common misconception is that the parish tax assessor’s address line counts as a legal description; it does not, and using it can derail a future closing.
Section I: Community Assets — Banking and Other Financial Accounts
This subsection lists Banking & Other Financial Accounts on numbered lines 1 through 7, with the same three columns. In plain English, these are checking, savings, money market, and similar accounts. Identify each account by bank name and the last four digits of the account number, note who holds it, and enter the balance as of your controlling date.
For example, Maria Boudreaux writes Whitney Bank checking, acct ending 4821 in Property Description, Joint under Possessed By, and $6,420 as Value, using the balance on the petition-filing date. In a succession, the heir uses the balance on the date of death and lists only accounts the decedent owned, not accounts that pass to a co-depositor.
A nuance is the payable-on-death or transfer-on-death account. In a succession, a POD or TOD account passes outside the estate and should be left off, as Scott Law Group explains. The most common mistake is listing the full balance of a joint account when the funds actually belong to the co-depositor, which overstates the estate or the community. People often wrongly assume every account with the person’s name on it belongs in the case; ownership of the funds, not the name on the card, controls.
Section I: Community Assets — Household Furniture and Movables
The Household Furniture & Movables subsection gives fifteen numbered lines for furniture, appliances, electronics, jewelry, tools, and similar personal items. Movables are things you can pick up and move, as opposed to land. Group items where it makes sense, describe each line in everyday words, note who possesses it, and give a reasonable resale value, not the price when new.
For example, Maria Boudreaux writes Living room furniture set on line 1 with Value $1,200, and Diamond engagement ring on line 2 with Value $3,500. In a succession, the heir lists the decedent’s household goods, jewelry, collections, and personal effects of significant value, as the Loyola manual directs.
A nuance is low-value clutter; you do not need to list every spoon, so group ordinary household goods into a single reasonable line. The most common mistake is using replacement cost instead of fair market value, which can wildly inflate the total and trigger pushback. A frequent misconception is that sentimental items must be valued high; the law asks only for what an item would sell for, so a family Bible may carry little market value even if it is priceless to you.
Section I: Community Assets — Other
The Other subsection provides eight lines for assets that do not fit the categories above, such as vehicles, boats, trailers, business interests, stocks, bonds, royalties, and money owed to the party or decedent. In plain English, this is the catch-all. Describe each asset clearly, identify the holder, and value it as of the controlling date.
For example, Maria Boudreaux writes 2021 Toyota Highlander, VIN ending 7788 with Value $24,000 on line 1, and Edward Jones brokerage acct ending 9012 with Value $31,500 on line 2. In a succession, the heir uses this space for the decedent’s stocks, bonds, partnership interests, business interests, mortgages, notes, royalties, and debts due the decedent, all listed in the Loyola manual.
A nuance is a closely held business with a buy-sell agreement, which may restrict transfer and require special handling. The most common mistake is forgetting receivables, the money owed to the person, such as a tax refund or a pending lawsuit settlement, which are estate assets and are often missed. A common misconception is that an IRA or 401(k) belongs here; if it names a living beneficiary, it passes outside the case and stays off the list.
Section II: Community Debts
Section II, Community Debts, gives eight lines for the Debt Description and its Value. These are the debts both spouses share, or in a succession, the debts the estate owes. List each creditor, the type of debt, and the balance owed as of the controlling date.
For example, Maria Boudreaux writes Whitney Bank mortgage on Greenbriar home with Value $142,000 on line 1, and Capital One credit card ending 3344 with Value $5,800 on line 2. In a succession, the heir may list the decedent’s unpaid debts at the executor’s or attorney’s discretion, since listing debts is allowed but not always required.
A nuance for successions is that if a community existed at the time of death, those debts are community debts and are only one-half deductible against the estate, per the Loyola manual. The most common mistake is listing a debt that is actually one spouse’s separate obligation, which unfairly shifts the burden in the community split. A misconception is that all debts must appear; in a simple succession with clear heirs, a lawyer may choose to leave debts off to keep the estate value clean for the title chain.
Section III: Reimbursement Claims
Section III, Reimbursement Claims, gives eight lines for the Nature of Claim, who it is Claimed By, and the Value. A reimbursement claim is money one spouse is owed because separate funds were spent on community property, or community funds on separate property. State what happened, who is owed, and how much.
For example, Maria Boudreaux writes Separate inheritance used to repair community home in Nature of Claim, Maria under Claimed By, and $18,000 as Value. This section appears only on the divorce form; a succession descriptive list does not use reimbursement claims between spouses, though a surviving spouse’s community claims can affect the estate.
A nuance is proof: a reimbursement claim is only as strong as your records, so tie each claim to a bank statement or receipt. The most common mistake is claiming reimbursement without documentation, which leads the court to deny the claim. A misconception is that everyday spending creates a reimbursement claim; ordinary living expenses paid from community funds usually do not, so reserve this section for clear, traceable transfers between separate and community estates.
Section IV: Property Claimed to Be Separate
Section IV, Property Claimed to Be Separate, lists ten rows with five columns: Property Description, Possessed By, How Acquired, and Adjudication by the Court. Separate property is property one spouse owned before marriage or received during marriage by gift or inheritance. Describe each item, say who holds it, and explain how it was acquired so the court can rule on it.
For example, Maria Boudreaux writes Camp at Henderson, inherited 2015 in Property Description, Maria under Possessed By, and Inheritance from mother under How Acquired, leaving the Adjudication column for the judge. In a succession, the decedent’s separate property is included in full in the estate, while only one-half of community property is included, as Scott Law Group notes.
A nuance is commingling: if separate money was mixed into a joint account, it can lose its separate character and become hard to trace. The most common mistake is labeling property separate without proof of how it was acquired, which lets the other spouse challenge the claim and pull it into the community. A misconception is that anything titled in one spouse’s name alone is automatically separate; in Louisiana, property bought during marriage is presumed community no matter whose name is on the title.
Signature, Oath, and Notary Block
The bottom of the form has the Signed by Petitioner line, the SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME clause with a date and city, and the Notary Public block asking for the printed name, Bar Roll #, and commission expiration. This is where you swear the list is true in front of a notary. Sign only in front of the notary, never before, and let the notary complete the date, city, name, and bar roll fields.
For example, Maria Boudreaux signs on the Petitioner line, and the notary fills in 5th day of June, 2026, at Lafayette, LA, then prints their name and bar roll number. In a succession, the heir, legatee, executor, or administrator signs and swears the list before a notary in the same way, because Article 3136 requires the list to be sworn to and subscribed.
A nuance is remote or out-of-state signers; some parishes accept a notarization from another state, but confirm with the clerk first. The most common mistake is signing the form before reaching the notary, which voids the oath and forces you to redo it. A misconception is that any notary works; in Louisiana, attorneys are notaries with a bar roll number, and some clerks expect that bar roll field to be completed, so a non-attorney notary should still complete the rest of the block correctly.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three walkthroughs follow named filers through the entire form so you can see how the pieces fit together. Each table uses the form’s own section names.
Scenario 1: Maria Boudreaux, Divorce After an 18-Year Marriage
Maria files the Appendix 30.0A form in a contested divorce where she and Paul own a home, share accounts, and disagree over a camp she inherited.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | 15th JDC, Lafayette Parish, Docket 2026-1234, Boudreaux v. Boudreaux |
| Sworn “as of” date | 3rd day of February, 2026 (petition filing date) |
| Date of Marriage / Petition Filed | 06/14/2008 / 02/03/2026 |
| I. Immovable Property | Lot 7, Square 4, Greenbriar Subdivision; Possessed By Maria; Value $285,000 |
| I. Banking Accounts | Whitney Bank checking ending 4821; Joint; $6,420 |
| I. Other | 2021 Toyota Highlander; Maria; $24,000 |
| II. Community Debts | Whitney Bank mortgage; $142,000 |
| III. Reimbursement Claims | Separate inheritance used on home; Maria; $18,000 |
| IV. Property Claimed Separate | Camp at Henderson, inherited 2015; Maria; How Acquired: inheritance |
| Signature & Notary | Maria signs before notary; notary prints name and bar roll # |
Scenario 2: The Succession of Henry Trahan, Married Decedent With Community and Separate Property
Henry died owning a community home with his wife plus a separate-property tract he inherited. His daughter files a sworn descriptive list under Article 3136.
| Form Section | What the Heir Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | Succession of Henry Trahan, Docket 2026-5567, St. Landry Parish |
| Controlling date | Date of death: 01/11/2026 |
| Community immovable (½ to estate) | Lot 12, Oak Glen, full value $300,000; estate share $150,000 |
| Separate immovable (full to estate) | 40-acre tract inherited 2009, valued $80,000 |
| Bank account, no beneficiary | Iberia Bank savings ending 2210; date-of-death balance $22,000 |
| Vehicle | 2019 Ford F-150, date-of-death value $26,500 |
| Brokerage, individually owned | Fidelity account ending 7781; $54,000 |
| Excluded asset (noted, not listed) | IRA paid to named beneficiary — left off the list |
| Liabilities (optional) | Funeral expenses and final medical bills, net of insurance |
| Oath | Daughter swears and subscribes before a notary |
Scenario 3: Aisha and Marcus Johnson, Joint Divorce Filing With Few Assets
Aisha and Marcus married young, rent their apartment, and file a joint descriptive list to keep their short, low-asset divorce simple.
| Form Section | What Aisha and Marcus Enter |
|---|---|
| Caption | 22nd JDC, St. Tammany Parish, Docket 2026-0902, Johnson v. Johnson |
| Sworn “as of” date | Date petition filed: 04/18/2026 |
| Date of Marriage / Petition Filed | 09/02/2022 / 04/18/2026 |
| I. Immovable Property | None — couple rents |
| I. Banking Accounts | Hancock Whitney joint checking ending 6655; $1,150 |
| I. Household Movables | Bedroom and living room furniture set; $900 |
| I. Other | 2017 Honda Civic; Marcus; $9,500 |
| II. Community Debts | Discover card ending 1199; $2,300 |
| IV. Property Claimed Separate | Aisha’s pre-marriage savings bond; How Acquired: owned before marriage |
| Signature & Notary | Both spouses sign; notary completes block |
How to File the Completed Form
Filing depends on whether you are in a divorce or a succession, but in both cases you file with the Clerk of Court in the parish that has your case. Louisiana clerks handle filings differently by parish, so confirm channels with your local clerk before you go.
- In person. Bring the signed, notarized original and at least one copy to the clerk of court in the parish of filing. The clerk stamps your copy as proof of filing, which you should keep. Filing fees vary by parish and by the number of pleadings, so call ahead for the exact amount and accepted payment methods, which are usually cash, check, money order, or card.
- By mail. Mail the signed, notarized original to the same clerk of court with a check or money order for the fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Ask the clerk to return a file-stamped copy as your proof of filing, and use tracked mail so you can confirm delivery.
- By e-filing. Many Louisiana districts accept electronic filing through an approved portal, and some now require it for attorneys. If you are self-represented, ask the clerk whether the portal is open to non-attorneys; if it is, the system gives you an electronic file-stamp as proof.
In a succession, the descriptive list does not travel alone. It is filed together with the Petition for Possession, the Affidavit of Death, Domicile, and Heirship, and the proposed Judgment of Possession, as Scott Law Group describes. Submitting the list without the rest of the packet will not move the case forward, so file the full set together. Keep a complete file-stamped copy of everything, because heirs, title companies, and banks will ask for it.
What Happens After You File
Once the list is filed, the court uses it to value the estate and move the case toward its final judgment. In a succession, the judge reviews the descriptive list alongside the petition and signs the Judgment of Possession, which legally transfers the decedent’s property to the heirs and legatees. The descriptive list becomes part of the permanent record that title companies later examine when heirs sell inherited property.
In a divorce, the descriptive list sets the table for dividing community property. If both spouses agree on the contents, the court can accept the list and partition the community accordingly. If they disagree, the Property Claimed to Be Separate and Reimbursement Claims sections become the battleground, and the judge adjudicates each disputed item, filling in the Adjudication by the Court column.
Sealing is sometimes available. Since 2017, Louisiana law has allowed families in some successions to seal the detailed descriptive list so the public cannot view the estate’s assets and liabilities, as discussed in this overview of the sealing law. When a list is sealed under Article 2952, a copy must still be provided to the decedent’s universal successors and surviving spouse.
Mistakes can be corrected, but at a cost. If you discover an omitted asset or a wrong value after filing, you usually file an amended or supplemental descriptive list, which means more time and possibly another court appearance. This is why careful, accurate work on the first filing saves the most trouble.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each error below has a specific consequence, so read these before you sign anything.
- Using a street address instead of a legal description for real estate clouds the title and can block a future sale.
- Listing only one-half of separate property in a succession understates the estate, since separate property belongs to the estate in full.
- Listing the full value of community property as an estate asset overstates the estate, since only one-half belongs to it.
- Including an IRA or 401(k) with a named beneficiary wrongly inflates the estate and exposes those funds to creditors.
- Including life insurance paid to a named person, rather than the estate, adds a non-probate asset that does not belong on the list.
- Listing a payable-on-death account in a succession sweeps in money that passes outside the estate.
- Using replacement cost instead of fair market value inflates the totals and invites challenges.
- Valuing assets as of the signing date rather than the date of death or petition-filing date produces wrong figures the court can reject.
- Leaving the sworn “as of” date blank makes every value ambiguous and open to attack.
- Signing the form before reaching the notary voids the oath and forces a complete redo.
- Forgetting receivables, like tax refunds or pending settlements, leaves real estate assets off the list.
- Claiming property is separate without stating how it was acquired lets the other spouse pull it into the community.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do copy the legal description of real estate word for word from the deed, because an exact match protects the title chain.
- Do value assets as of the controlling date, the date of death in successions or the petition-filing date in divorces, so your figures hold up.
- Do separate community property from separate property carefully, because the split drives who gets what.
- Do check beneficiary designations before listing accounts, so you exclude assets that pass outside the case.
- Do keep records that support every value and every separate-property claim, because proof wins disputes.
- Do sign only in front of the notary, because the oath is what makes the list valid.
- Don’t guess at values, because a number you cannot support can be challenged and overturned.
- Don’t use a street address as a property description, because it can create a cloud over the title.
- Don’t include life insurance, IRAs, or POD accounts that pass to a named beneficiary, because they are not part of the estate.
- Don’t list the full value of community property in a succession, because only one-half belongs to the estate.
- Don’t file the descriptive list without the rest of the succession packet, because the case will not advance.
- Don’t forget to keep a file-stamped copy, because banks, title companies, and heirs will demand proof.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With a Lawyer
Whether to file the list yourself or hire counsel depends on how complex your estate is and how much risk you can absorb.
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With a Lawyer |
|---|---|
| Saves on attorney fees, which matters for small, simple estates. | Costs more, but the fee buys experience with tricky valuations and classifications. |
| Gives you full control over timing and how items are described. | Reduces the chance of a clouded title, because counsel drafts legal descriptions correctly. |
| Works well when there is one home, a bank account, and clear heirs. | Handles community-versus-separate analysis that confuses most pro se filers. |
| Lets you learn the process and keep costs low. | Protects the executor from personal liability for omissions or errors. |
| Can be enough for a short marriage with few assets. | Manages disputes over reimbursement and separate-property claims that a judge must adjudicate. |
The general rule is that simple, uncontested cases are good candidates for filing on your own, while estates with real estate, business interests, blended families, or any dispute usually justify a lawyer. The cost of an amendment or a title problem often exceeds the cost of getting it right the first time. When in doubt, a single consultation can tell you which path fits your case.
Sworn Detailed Descriptive List vs. Formal Notarial Inventory
Filers often ask which valuation method to use, so here is how the two compare under Louisiana law.
| Sworn Detailed Descriptive List | Formal Notarial Inventory |
|---|---|
| Allowed in lieu of inventory under Article 3136. | Governed by Articles 3131 through 3135 and taken by a notary. |
| May be filed without judicial authority, which saves time. | Requires the formal notarial process, which adds steps. |
| Sworn to and subscribed by an interested party. | Conducted by a notary, often with appraisers, adding cost. |
| Common in uncontested successions and divorces. | Used when an inventory is specifically required or requested. |
| Lower cost, faster to prepare and file. | Higher cost and a slower timeline. |
FAQs
Do I write the street address or the legal description for my house?
No. Write the legal description copied exactly from the deed or mortgage. A street address alone is not adequate and can create a cloud over the property’s title.
Do I list the full value of community property in a succession?
No. In a succession you list only the decedent’s one-half of community property, while separate property is included in full, because the surviving spouse already owns their half.
Do I include my spouse’s IRA or 401(k) with a named beneficiary?
No. Retirement accounts that name a living beneficiary pass outside the case and stay off the list, unless the estate itself is the named beneficiary.
Do I list life insurance proceeds on the descriptive list?
No. Life insurance paid to a named living person passes outside the succession, so leave it off unless the estate is the named beneficiary.
Do I value assets as of the day I sign the form?
No. Value assets as of the controlling date, which is the date of death in a succession or the petition-filing date in a divorce, not the signing date.
Do I need a lawyer to file the Sworn Detailed Descriptive List?
No. You may file it yourself, since Article 3136 lets an interested party file without judicial authority, though counsel helps with complex estates.
Do I write the date of marriage on a succession descriptive list?
No. The marriage and divorce date fields appear only on the divorce form, Appendix 30.0A; a succession uses the date of death instead.
Do I sign the form before going to the notary?
No. Sign only in front of the notary, because the oath, “sworn to and subscribed,” is what makes the list legally valid.
Do I list a payable-on-death bank account in a succession?
No. A POD or TOD account passes directly to the named beneficiary outside the estate, so it does not belong on the succession list.
Do I have to list every spoon and small household item?
No. Group ordinary household goods into reasonable lines and value them at fair market value, not replacement cost, since small items rarely carry meaningful value.
Do reimbursement claims appear on a succession descriptive list?
No. The Reimbursement Claims section is part of the divorce form between spouses, though a surviving spouse’s community claims can still affect a succession.
Do I get to keep proof that I filed the form?
Yes. The clerk gives you a file-stamped copy, whether you file in person, by mail, or electronically, and you should keep it for banks, title companies, and heirs.
Do I have to include the decedent’s debts on the list?
Yes, you may, but it is at the executor’s or attorney’s discretion, and community debts at death are only one-half deductible against the estate.
Do I list property bought during marriage as separate if it is only in my name?
No. Property acquired during marriage is presumed community no matter whose name is on the title, so you must prove how it was acquired to claim it as separate.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out the Arkansas Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Indiana Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Louisiana Final Account and Petition for Distribution + FAQs
- How to Fill Out a Louisiana Petition for Probate of Will (w/ Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Louisiana Small Estate Affidavit (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Mississippi Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Arkansas Petition for Probate of Will (w/Examples) + FAQs