The Role of the Civil Duty Office
The Civil Duty Office handles all UNCONTESTED civil matters for all 10 Civil Docket Judges at the 19th Judicial District Court. The staff in the Civil Duty Office act as a “satellite office” for each of the Civil Divisions for these uncontested civil matters.
IMPORTANT NOTE: UNCONTESTED CIVIL MATTERS MUST BE ROUTED THROUGH AND APPROVED BY THE CIVIL DUTY OFFICE. ALL MATTERS ARE ASSIGNED A DOCKET NUMBER BY THE CLERK OF COURT BEFORE BEING REVIEWED. PLEASE ALWAYS HAVE THIS DOCKET NUMBER WHEN CALLING OR COMMUNICATING WITH THE CIVIL DUTY OFFICE.
Civil Duty Staff
Civil Duty Staff review and process the following types of matters (list is not intended to be exclusive) before sending the electronic files directly to the Divisional Judge allotted to the matter.
Adult adoptions
Petition to convert to ordinary process
Motion to Appoint Curator & Curator Returns
Petition for Name Change of Adult or Minor
Petition to make Judgment Executory and/or Foreign Judgments to be made Executory
Garnishments
Staff Attorney
The Staff Attorney primarily reviews of all Uncontested Successions filed with the Clerk of Court for the 19th Judicial District Court. In addition to Successions, the Staff Attorney also reviews the following matters (list is not intended to be exclusive):
Tutorships
Trusts
Ex Parte Order to Authorize Cremation or Burial
Emancipation
Minority Settlements -often simultaneously filed with Tutorships (These are reviewed by the Staff Attorney and, once correct, the attorney is instructed to contact the Judge’s office directly to schedule a Settlement Conference)
Civil Duty Office FAQ
Can I walk this through to the Judge for signature today?
No, this is no longer possible. Now that the court uses an electronic records system, it is not possible to physically walk a record to the Judge’s office. The Judges all sign electronically. We will do our very best to expedite matters to get them to the Judge’s electronic box, but it depends on the particular Judge’s schedule as to his or her availability to sign your pleadings. You may call the Civil Duty Office to request expedited consideration.
How do I schedule a Judgment Debtor Examination with the Duty Judge?
Call the Civil Duty Office at (225) 389-4935 to find an available date. If you need to pass a Judgment Debtor Examination, please fax a letter to the Civil Duty Office including all relevant case information, including the case number.
Do I contact the Civil Duty Office to schedule a Minority Settlement Conference?
No, but the pleadings must be first reviewed and approved by the Staff Attorney before a Minority Settlement Conference may be scheduled. Any settlement of a personal injury or other claim on behalf of a minor is scheduled directly with the office of the Civil Judge allotted the matter, and not the Civil Duty Office. You will be contacted by the Judge’s staff for scheduling once the pleadings have been reviewed.
I just filed a new succession, how long will it take before I can get a certified copy of the order or judgment?
The filing system at the 19th JDC has converted to a fully electronic system. The Clerk of Court has begun to accept e-filing of pleadings. However, it is worth noting that it is still necessary to submit the Original Will into the record with the Clerk of Court even when e-filing a succession.
After you file your pleadings with the Clerk, either via e-filing or at the front desk, the scanned documents will be electronically sent to the Staff Attorney.
The Staff Attorney reviews matters in the order that they are received. If there is an Original Will, the record will be requested from the Clerk of Court. After review of the electronic succession pleadings, if APPROVED by the Staff Attorney, the pleadings will be sent to the Divisional Judge for signature.
After an order or judgment is electronically signed by the Judge, it is transferred back to Civil Duty Office for a minute entry before being sent to the Clerk of Court - Civil Processing. Certified copies can be requested directly from the Clerk of Court’s office.
If DENIED, a minute entry will be made by the Civil Duty Staff and the electronic file will be sent to Clerk of Court - Civil Processing with reasons for the deficiency. Civil Processing will send a Notice of Deficiency to the Attorney of Record.
Contact Information
Office Suite - 6101
Telephone - (225) 389-4935
Fax - (225) 389-4783