Louisiana Judgment Enforcement Guide | Debt Collection & Skip Tracing

Louisiana Judgment Enforcement — Quick Facts

10 yrs

Judgment Lifespan

3 yrs

Debt SOL (Written)

2.88%

Post-Judgment Interest

✓

COMMUNITY PROPERTY STATE

Louisiana is a community property state under a unique civil law system. The state has a shorter 3-year prescriptive period (SOL equivalent) for most debts, and post-judgment interest tracks the judicial rate set by law. Seizure of bank accounts and wage garnishment are available tools.

Louisiana Statute of Limitations on Debt

Debt Type	Limitation Period	Statute
Written Contract	3 years	`La. C.C. art. 3494`
Open Account / Credit Card	3 years	`La. C.C. art. 3494`
Oral Contract	10 years	`La. C.C. art. 3499`
Promissory Note	5 years	`La. C.C. art. 3498`
Judgment / Lien	10 years	`La. R.S. 9:5622`

Louisiana uses ‘prescriptive periods’ rather than statutes of limitations. Most personal action on debts prescribes in 3 years. Interruption occurs upon acknowledgment or suit.

Post-Judgment Interest Rate

Louisiana post-judgment judicial interest is set by law under La. R.S. 13:4203, adjusted annually. The current rate is approximately 2.88% per annum. Interest begins accruing from the date of judgment.

Judgment Recovery Methods in Louisiana

Wage Garnishment yes

Louisiana permits wage garnishment of 25% of disposable earnings under La. C.C.P. art. 2411. Garnishment writs are issued after judgment and served on employers.

Bank Account Levy yes

Seizure of bank accounts is available via garnishment under La. C.C.P. art. 2411. Financial institutions must hold garnished funds pending resolution.

Abstract of Judgment / Lien yes

Recordation of a judgment in the mortgage records of a parish creates a judicial mortgage (lien) on all immovable property in that parish (La. C.C. art. 3300).

Turnover Order limited

Louisiana courts may issue orders for examination of judgment debtors and compel disclosure of assets via supplemental proceedings.

Writ of Execution yes

Writs of fieri facias (fi. fa.) allow the sheriff to seize and sell non-exempt movable property (La. C.C.P. art. 2291).

Vehicle Levy yes

Vehicles are generally subject to seizure. Louisiana’s $7,500 personal property exemption may apply to a vehicle in some circumstances.

Debtor Exemptions

Asset Type	Exemption Amount	Statute
Homestead	$35,000	`La. R.S. 20:1`
Personal Property	$7,500 (various categories)	`La. R.S. 13:3881`
Wages	75% of disposable earnings	`La. R.S. 13:3881`
Tools of Trade	$7,500	`La. R.S. 13:3881`
Retirement	All ERISA-qualified plans	`La. R.S. 13:3881`

Judgment Value Calculator

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Official Louisiana Resources

Louisiana Supreme Court – Court RecordsCivil case lookup & court resources Louisiana SOS – Business Entity SearchEntity & registered agent lookup Louisiana Clerks of Court – Mortgage RecordsJudicial mortgage & lien filings Louisiana Legislature – Revised StatutesOfficial state code

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Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Statutes change — verify current law with a licensed Louisiana attorney before taking collection action.