Detailed answer — step‑by‑step (what to expect and what to do)

1) Confirm whether the estate qualifies as a “small succession.”
Louisiana law allows simplified settlement procedures for estates that meet the small succession rules. If the estate qualifies, the surviving spouse (or other heirs) may use a small succession affidavit or obtain a simple court order that transfers ownership of specific assets such as one motor vehicle without opening a full succession administration. The parish clerk of court can tell you whether your situation meets the local small succession requirements and whether you should prepare an affidavit or seek a court order.

2) Gather the necessary documents.
Typical documents you will need when transferring a vehicle after an owner’s death include:

• Certified copy of the decedent’s death certificate.
• IDs for the person receiving title (surviving spouse) and for the person signing any affidavits.
• Proof of your relationship to the decedent (marriage certificate for a surviving spouse may help).
• Current vehicle registration and any maintenance of VIN information (inspection report or registration that shows VIN and plate).
• Small succession affidavit or clerk’s/order from the succession court if required by the clerk.
• Odometer disclosure statement, if vehicle model-year rules require it.

3) If you don’t have the original title: two common options

1. Use small succession affidavit or court order to transfer ownership directly at OMV.
   If the estate qualifies for a small succession and the clerk of court provides the required affidavit or an order transferring the vehicle to the surviving spouse, bring that affidavit/order to the Office of Motor Vehicles along with the death certificate and ID. The OMV can then issue a new title in the survivor’s name without the original title because the succession document proves the chain of ownership.
2. Apply for a duplicate title in the decedent’s name, then transfer the duplicate to the surviving spouse.
   If small succession paperwork is not appropriate or the OMV requires it, you can request a duplicate title first. Requirements vary, but the OMV normally accepts an affidavit of loss, certified death certificate, and identification to issue a duplicate title (or the OMV may instead require the succession documentation before issuing a new title). After the duplicate title is issued, you can sign and transfer it to the surviving spouse (or the clerk/court may sign in place of the decedent). The OMV will record the transfer and issue a new title to the surviving spouse.

4) Handle liens and taxes.
If there was a lien on the vehicle, the lienholder must be contacted; the lien must be released or satisfied before the OMV issues a clean title. Also expect to pay title-transfer fees and any applicable sales or use taxes. The OMV staff or parish clerk can estimate these amounts.

5) File any required affidavits and record the transfer.
The actual transfer is completed at the OMV (or a local OMV office or tag agency). You will submit the small succession affidavit or duplicate title plus death certificate, ID, and transfer forms. The OMV will issue a new title in the surviving spouse’s name.

6) If the clerk of court requires a formal succession, get a court order.
When the estate does not qualify as a small succession or there is a dispute among heirs, you may need to open a succession (estate) in court and obtain a judgment distributing the vehicle. That judgment is used at the OMV to re-title the vehicle.

7) Where to go for official forms and questions.
– Contact your parish clerk of civil district court for small succession forms and local procedural rules. The clerk’s office is the authority on small succession affidavits in your parish.
– Contact the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) or your local tag office for title/duplicate-title application forms, fees, and any required inspections or odometer statements.

Statutes and official sources (where to look):
– Louisiana statutes and court rules govern successions and the duties of parish clerks. See the Louisiana Legislature website for the Civil Code and Code of Civil Procedure pages related to successions and probate: https://legis.la.gov/ (search for “small successions” or “succession”).
– Louisiana motor-vehicle and title laws appear in the Louisiana Revised Statutes under the Title governing motor vehicles. For official guidance about duplicate titles and transfers, contact the Louisiana OMV pages and your local tag office (OMV information and procedures are available through your parish tag office or the OMV’s official site or portal).

Helpful Hints

• Start with the parish clerk of court. They can confirm whether small succession applies and provide the exact affidavit form your parish requires.
• Get several certified copies of the death certificate — you will need them for the OMV, banks, and other agencies.
• If the original title is missing, don’t delay: ask the clerk and OMV whether they will accept small succession paperwork in place of the missing title. In many straightforward small successions, the OMV will re-title without the paper title when given the proper affidavit/order and death certificate.
• If there is a lien or if the vehicle’s ownership is contested, get legal advice or open a formal succession in court; the clerk will not override a lien or resolve disputes — a judge must.
• Keep copies of all submitted documents and get written receipts for any filings or payments.
• If you need help locating the vehicle’s title history or lienholder, the OMV or a title-search service can help locate recorded liens by VIN.
• If the surviving spouse’s name is already on registration as a co-owner or joint owner, the transfer will often be easier — bring registration and any documentation showing joint ownership.