Louisiana Small Claims Playbook: Filing, Service, Hearing and Collecting

Checked against official court sources, updated October 2026.

Home › States › Louisiana

Quick answer: Louisiana's small claims rules (La. R.S. 13:5201–5212) apply to the small claims divisions of city courts, where the limit is $5,000. Parish courts and justice of the peace courts follow different rules; ask the clerk. The statutory filing fee is $35 for each defendant, and courts may add local costs, so ask your city court clerk for the total.

How does small claims court work in Louisiana?

Each city court may set up one or more small claims divisions by court rule (La. R.S. 13:5201(A)). The rules of evidence are relaxed, reliable hearsay is allowed, and there are no depositions or other discovery (§ 5203). Small claims rulings can't be appealed, so the choice of court matters (§ 5209).

Official sources are listed under Sources below.

How much can I sue for in Louisiana?

$5,000, not counting interest, court costs, attorney fees or penalties, in the small claims division of a city court (La. R.S. 13:5202(A); Acts 2020, No. 205). No more than ten plaintiffs, and no class actions. The City Court of East St. Tammany uses the justice-of-the-peace limit instead (§ 5202(E)).

Who can't be sued, and who can appear?

State agencies are excluded (La. R.S. 13:5210). Each court may also limit the role of attorneys by local rule (§ 5208(A)). Who may appear for a company isn't covered here; ask the clerk.

How much does it cost to file?

The statute sets "a fee of thirty-five dollars for each party made defendant," plus R.S. 13:10.3 costs, and up to $20 more for each additional service or subpoena. Indigent parties can get a waiver (La. R.S. 13:5205). Ask your city court clerk for the total filing cost; courts may add local costs.

What forms do I need in Louisiana?

Louisiana has no single statewide small claims form; the Supreme Court's 2017 uniform forms for city and parish courts include a Statement of Claim and Citation. Ask your city or parish court which form it uses.

Next step

  1. Check that your claim is $5,000 or less and belongs in a city court's small claims division.
  2. Ask your city court which form it uses.
  3. Ask the clerk for the total filing cost.
  4. Use the Playbook below to file, serve, prepare and collect, step by step.

Louisiana small claims FAQ

Can I appeal a Louisiana small claims ruling?

No. The plaintiff waives appeal by filing. The defendant waives it too, unless they move the case to the regular civil docket within the answer period (La. R.S. 13:5209).

How much can I sue for in Louisiana small claims?

Up to $5,000 in the small claims division of a city court, not counting interest, court costs, attorney fees or penalties (La. R.S. 13:5202(A)).

How much does it cost to file small claims in Louisiana?

The statute sets $35 for each defendant, plus R.S. 13:10.3 costs (La. R.S. 13:5205). Courts may add local costs, so ask your city court clerk for the total.

Related guides

Small Claims Starter Kit (basic timeline and checklists).

  1. La. R.S. 13:5201 (Louisiana State Legislature, checked 2026-10-25)
  2. La. R.S. 13:5202 (Louisiana State Legislature, checked 2026-10-25)
  3. La. R.S. 13:5203 (Louisiana State Legislature, checked 2026-10-25)
  4. La. R.S. 13:5204 (Louisiana State Legislature, checked 2026-10-25)
  5. La. R.S. 13:5205 (Louisiana State Legislature, checked 2026-10-25)
  6. La. R.S. 13:5207.1 (Louisiana State Legislature, checked 2026-10-25)
  7. La. R.S. 13:5208 (Louisiana State Legislature, checked 2026-10-25)
  8. La. R.S. 13:5209 (Louisiana State Legislature, checked 2026-10-25)
  9. La. R.S. 13:5210 (Louisiana State Legislature, checked 2026-10-25)
  10. La. R.S. 13:5211 (Louisiana State Legislature, checked 2026-10-25)
  11. La. R.S. 13:5212 (Louisiana State Legislature, checked 2026-10-25)
  12. La. R.S. 13:10.3 (Louisiana State Legislature, checked 2026-10-25)
  13. Louisiana Supreme Court: Uniform forms for city and parish courts (PDF, published May 31, 2017) (checked 2026-10-25)

What's in the Louisiana Playbook section

  • How do I file a small claim in Louisiana?
  • How much should I ask for in Louisiana?
  • Who can file and who can appear in Louisiana
  • Louisiana forms and fees
  • Serving the defendant in Louisiana
  • How to file in Louisiana, step by step (made-up example)
  • Louisiana small claims checklist
  • Louisiana timeline and time limits
  • What to expect at your Louisiana hearing
  • Appeals in Louisiana
  • Collecting after you win in Louisiana

Want the whole game plan for Louisiana? The Louisiana Playbook takes you from filing to hearing day: what to gather, how to label your exhibits, a one-page timeline, and a day-of plan for your hearing. One yearly membership covers every state guide. See the Playbook

Small Claims Coach is built to help you handle your case yourself, without a lawyer — but if your situation is complicated, does not fit our samples, or a deadline is close, you may want to call a lawyer.

Small Claims Coach uses public information to build the Playbook, which coaches you as you organize and present your own case. We are not your lawyer, there is no attorney-client relationship, and we don't want the details of your case.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice.