{"id":373677,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/louisiana-law\/louisiana-small-claims-courts.html"},"modified":"2023-10-18T10:17:12","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T15:17:12","slug":"louisiana-small-claims-courts","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/louisiana-law\/louisiana-small-claims-courts.html","title":{"rendered":"Louisiana Small Claims Courts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Louisiana Small Claims Courts<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Small claims court can be a way to resolve lesser legal issues quickly. Louisiana’s small claims courts have jurisdiction<\/a> over minor civil disputes<\/a> involving money or the return of property. The amount in controversy cannot exceed $5,000.00.<\/p>\r\n

The advantage of Louisiana small claims courts is that they resolve civil disputes quickly, and the process is usually less expensive than a case brought in a superior court. Parties to a small claims case do not need to hire an attorney. Small claims courts follow simplified rules of evidence<\/a> to allow parties to proceed without an attorney.<\/p>\r\n

This article summarizes the small claims court system in Louisiana. Litigants<\/a> involved in a small claims case may find the following resources helpful while preparing for their small claims court trial:<\/p>\r\n