How much can you claim in small claims court in Louisiana?

An individual can claim up to $5,000. A business can claim up to $5,000. A public agency can claim up to $5,000. That comes from La. R.S. 13:5202(A).

What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Louisiana?

Louisiana does not set one statewide fee. Each court publishes its own, so check the court where you will file.

How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Louisiana?

The shortest window is 1 year, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under La. Civ. Code art. 2534(A). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.

Do you have to ask for the money before filing in Louisiana?

No, Louisiana does not require it, per La. R.S. 13:5203. Sending a demand letter first is still the usual first step, and it is often what gets the money paid.

Which court handles small claims in Louisiana?

City Court Small Claims Division or Justice of the Peace Court. Louisiana has no single small claims court. In a city with a city court, the small claims division hears money claims up to $5,000; elsewhere the justice of the peace court for the ward where the other side lives hears claims up to the same amount.

Small claims in Louisiana

The court

City Court Small Claims Division or Justice of the Peace Court: Louisiana has no single small claims court. In a city with a city court, the small claims division hears money claims up to $5,000; elsewhere the justice of the peace court for the ward where the other side lives hears claims up to the same amount.

The court's own small claims page

The most you can claim

The small claims limit in Louisiana
Claiming as	Most you can claim	Rule
An individual	$5,000	La. R.S. 13:5202(A)
A business	$5,000	La. R.S. 13:5202(A)
A public agency	$5,000	La. R.S. 13:5202(A)

What it costs to file

This state does not set one statewide fee. The court where you file publishes its own.

La. R.S. 13:5205(A) · In a city court small claims division the statute sets a $35 filing cost for each defendant, plus up to $20 for extra service or subpoenas. Justice of the peace courts set their own costs, so ask the clerk for the exact amount.

How long you have

The shortest window in this state is 1 year from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken.

La. Civ. Code art. 2534(A) · A claim that something you bought was defective must be filed within one year of discovering the defect, and never more than two years after delivery. Louisiana did not adopt the uniform four-year sale of goods rule, so treat one year as the window.

Does small claims fit your dispute in Louisiana?

Pick what it is about. The next screens ask the amount and the dates. Nothing is saved, and no account is needed.

The detail

The limit
The limit is the most the court can award on one claim. It depends on who is claiming, and in some states on which court hears it.
What it costs
The court charges this when you hand in the claim. It is separate from the amount you are claiming.
How long you have
Every kind of claim has its own window, counted from the day the clock started. Miss it and the court usually cannot hear the claim.

Common questions

How much can you claim in small claims court in Louisiana?: An individual can claim up to $5,000. A business can claim up to $5,000. A public agency can claim up to $5,000. That comes from La. R.S. 13:5202(A).
What does it cost to file a small claims claim in Louisiana?: Louisiana does not set one statewide fee. Each court publishes its own, so check the court where you will file.
How long do you have to bring a small claims claim in Louisiana?: The shortest window is 1 year, counted from the day the payment was missed or the agreement was broken, under La. Civ. Code art. 2534(A). Other kinds of claim run longer; the time-limit page lists each one.
Do you have to ask for the money before filing in Louisiana?: No, Louisiana does not require it, per La. R.S. 13:5203. Sending a demand letter first is still the usual first step, and it is often what gets the money paid.
Which court handles small claims in Louisiana?: City Court Small Claims Division or Justice of the Peace Court. Louisiana has no single small claims court. In a city with a city court, the small claims division hears money claims up to $5,000; elsewhere the justice of the peace court for the ward where the other side lives hears claims up to the same amount.

Verify with your court

Numbers change, and a court can post its own variation. Open Louisiana's small claims page and confirm anything you are about to rely on.

Open the court's small claims page

Verified on 2026-09-05, sources: Rules effective from 2024-07-01.

La. R.S. 13:5202(A) · effective 2020-06-11 · A city court small claims division hears money claims of up to $5,000, not counting interest, costs, and penalties. Justice of the peace courts have the same $5,000 limit under Code of Civil Procedure article 4911.
La. R.S. 13:5205(A) · effective 1987-09-01 · In a city court small claims division the statute sets a $35 filing cost for each defendant, plus up to $20 for extra service or subpoenas. Justice of the peace courts set their own costs, so ask the clerk for the exact amount.
La. Civ. Code art. 2534(A) · effective 2021-08-01 · A claim that something you bought was defective must be filed within one year of discovering the defect, and never more than two years after delivery. Louisiana did not adopt the uniform four-year sale of goods rule, so treat one year as the window.
La. R.S. 13:5203 · effective 1987-09-01 · A small claims case starts with a statement of claim under the Code of Civil Procedure. Louisiana does not require a written demand before filing, but asking first is still the usual first step.

FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.