Louisiana · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in Louisiana: get back what you're owed

Eight free guides for Louisiana, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in Louisiana

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$5,000
Court
small claims court
Filing fee
$87–$130
Lawyers
Optional

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in Louisiana

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
1 month (list: up to 15 days later)
Security deposit limit
No statewide limit
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
5 days
Notice before the landlord enters
No statute

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in Louisiana

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
US DOL (no state program)
Minimum wage (2026)
$7.25
Final paycheck if fired
Payday or 15 days
Deadline to file a wage claim
3 years

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in Louisiana

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
12 months
What makes it a lemon
4 repairs · 45 calendar days
Covers used cars
No
Before you sue
If maker has a program

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in Louisiana

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
Aug–Sep: 7 days before Board of Review
Where you appeal first
Parish Board of Review appeal
Median effective tax rate
0.55%
Median yearly tax on a home
$1,180

Closed for 2026The 2026 Board of Review deadlines have passed in every parish (Orleans for tax year 2027 closed August 20, 2026). If the board already ruled on your appeal, you have 30 calendar days from its decision to appeal to the Louisiana Tax Commission; Orleans decisions are being mailed from the week of October 19, 2026. The next window opens with the 2027 open-rolls period: 15 days between August 15 and September 15, 2027 in most parishes, and July 15 to August 16, 2027 in Orleans. (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in Louisiana

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
$75,000
Homestead deadline
December 31
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
Up to full exemption

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in Louisiana

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
Louisiana Unclaimed Property (LaCashClaim)
Held by the state
$1.2 billion (June 2024)
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in Louisiana

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
See the guide
Waiting period
See the guide
Filing fee
Check with your court

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in Louisiana

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in Louisiana
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract10 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement10 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage2 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit1 month (list: up to 15 days later)Tenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent5 daysTenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claim3 yearsWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedPayday or 15 daysWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period12 monthsLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineYou must sue within 3 years from the date you bought the vehicle, or within 1 year after the warranty ends, whichever is longer (R.S. 51:1944(E)).Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appealAug–Sep: 7 days before Board of ReviewTax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineDecember 31Exemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can fileSee the guideDivorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting periodSee the guideDivorce Law Map

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