The small claims limit in Louisiana
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.
| 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) |
More about Louisiana
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).
- 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.
- 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.
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 pageVerified on 2026-09-05, sources:
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.
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.