Louisiana Small Claims Court
Owed money in Louisiana? Here's the dollar limit, the court that hears it, what filing costs — and a free demand letter to send first, which resolves many disputes without a case. Free, no signup.
Maintained by the SealForms editorial team · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
Louisiana small claims · as of 2026
- Maximum claim
- $5,000
- Court
- Justice of the Peace Court (rural wards) or the small claims division of a City Court
- Filing fee
- Set locally by each court under La. R.S. 13:2590; commonly ~$75-$150 including service. Ask the individual JP or city court clerk.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required in both JP courts and city court small claims divisions.
Source: La. C.C.P. art. 4911; La. R.S. 13:5200 et seq. (city court small claims); La. R.S. 13:2590 (JP fees) · verify ↗. Limits and fees change — confirm with the Justice of the Peace Court (rural wards) or the small claims division of a City Court clerk before filing.
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Demand for Payment
__________
From: __________
To: __________
This letter is a formal demand for payment of $______, owed to me for the following: __________ .
I have already attempted to resolve this: __________ . The amount remains unpaid.
If I do not receive full payment within ____ days of the date of this letter, I intend to file a claim against you in the Louisiana Justice of the Peace Court (rural wards) or the small claims division of a City Court without further notice. A judgment could add court costs and interest to the amount you owe, and may affect your credit.
I would prefer to resolve this without going to court. You can contact me at the address above to arrange payment.
Generated with SealFormsStep one before filing in Louisiana · 2026
How to file in Louisiana — the short version
- Demand first. Send the letter above by a trackable method and keep proof — judges expect it, and it often gets you paid without a case.
- File with the Justice of the Peace Court (rural wards) or the small claims division of a City Court where the defendant lives or the dispute happened. Fee: Set locally by each court under La. R.S. 13:2590; commonly ~$75-$150 including service. Ask the individual JP or city court clerk..
- Serve the defendant the way Louisiana rules require (clerk, sheriff, certified mail, or process server — ask the clerk). Bad service is the #1 way cases get thrown out.
- Bring evidence: contracts, invoices, photos, messages, this demand letter and its delivery proof, and any witnesses.
- Collect. If you win and they don't pay, ask the clerk about garnishment, levy, and liens.
Check the current Louisiana small claims rules before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I sue for in Louisiana small claims court?
The limit is $5,000 (as of 2026). $5,000 exclusive of interest, costs and attorney fees in Justice of the Peace Courts (La. C.C.P. arts. 4911-4912); city court small claims divisions carry the same $5,000 cap (La. R.S. 13:5200 et seq.). JP courts cannot hear suits against public bodies, title to real estate, or family matters; they can hear evictions regardless of amount. Source: La. C.C.P. art. 4911; La. R.S. 13:5200 et seq. (city court small claims); La. R.S. 13:2590 (JP fees). If you're owed more, you can sue in the regular civil court instead — or waive the excess and stay in small claims, which is usually faster and cheaper.
Where do I file?
In Louisiana, small claims cases are heard by the Justice of the Peace Court (rural wards) or the small claims division of a City Court, generally in the county (or district) where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened. Filing fee: Set locally by each court under La. R.S. 13:2590; commonly ~$75-$150 including service. Ask the individual JP or city court clerk.. Check the exact venue rule when you file — filing in the wrong place gets cases dismissed.
Can I bring a lawyer?
In Louisiana: Allowed but not required in both JP courts and city court small claims divisions.. Either way, small claims procedure is deliberately informal — you present your story, your documents, and your witnesses directly to the judge.
Do I have to send a demand letter first?
Send one even where it isn't strictly required: many judges expect proof that you asked for the money in writing before filing, some statutes require it, and in practice a firm dated letter with a deadline resolves a large share of disputes without a case. Use the free generator on this page and send it in a way you can prove (certified mail or another trackable method).
What happens if I win but they don't pay?
A judgment isn't a check — if the defendant doesn't pay voluntarily, you enforce it: wage garnishment, bank levy, or property liens, depending on Louisiana law. The court clerk can point you to the forms. Judgments also accrue interest and stay enforceable for years, so a stubborn debtor doesn't run out the clock quickly.
How does Louisiana compare? See the small claims limits in all 50 states, every figure cited to statute.
How Louisiana compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Louisiana: La. C.C.P. art. 4911; La. R.S. 13:5200 et seq. (city court small claims); La. R.S. 13:2590 (JP fees) ↗.
- Small claims limit
Small claims limit: $5,000 — well under the national median of $10,000 across the 51 states with a statutory rule.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 10 other states.
Small claims limit in neighboring states — Arkansas ($5,000), Mississippi ($3,500), Texas ($20,000).
Small claims guide in other states
More Louisiana legal forms
Different state? See small claims rules by state →