Short answer. In Louisiana, small claims (Small claims division of the city court (La. R.S. 13:5202)) cover claims up to $5,000. Louisiana's filing fee wasn't on the official page we checked; ask the clerk.
Can I file my claim in Louisiana small claims?
Enter an amount to compare it with the Louisiana limit of $5,000.
Louisiana small claims at a glance
- Limit
- $5,000. Not more than $5,000, not counting interest, court costs, attorney fees and penalties. At most 10 plaintiffs; no class actions. The City Court of East St. Tammany uses the justice of the peace limit instead.
- Court
- Small claims division of the city court (La. R.S. 13:5202)
- Serving the other side
- Citation by certified mail counts as personal service; if that fails, the marshal usually serves (Shreveport City Court).
- Appeal
- No right to appeal a small claims decision (required notice on the Shreveport City Court citation).
Fees are set by each city court; Shreveport City Court's page lists required fees without amounts.
Not confirmed for Louisiana: filing fees, who can file, whether lawyers are allowed, where to file, online filing. The official Louisiana page we checked didn't state these, so we left them out. Ask the clerk or see the official page.
Filing a small claim in Louisiana, step by step
- Check that your claim fitsUse the checker above: the Louisiana limit is $5,000, and the official wording is in the summary. Count only what you can show with papers or photos.
- Pick the right courtThe Louisiana page we checked doesn't say which county or court to use. Ask the clerk before you file.
- Fill out the claim and pay the feeFees are set by each city court; Shreveport City Court's page lists required fees without amounts.
- Have the other side servedCitation by certified mail counts as personal service; if that fails, the marshal usually serves (Shreveport City Court).
- Get ready for the hearingBring the contract, receipts, photos, messages and a short timeline, with copies for the judge and the other side.
- After the decisionNo right to appeal a small claims decision (required notice on the Shreveport City Court citation).
Official Louisiana links
Last checked November 2026.
General information checked against the official Louisiana pages above, not legal advice. MCC Solutions isn't a law firm and isn't affiliated with any court. Rules and fees change: the official page and the clerk have the final word. The checker runs in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent or saved.
Louisiana small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Louisiana?
$5,000. Not more than $5,000, not counting interest, court costs, attorney fees and penalties. At most 10 plaintiffs; no class actions. The City Court of East St. Tammany uses the justice of the peace limit instead.
Can I appeal a small claims decision in Louisiana?
No right to appeal a small claims decision (required notice on the Shreveport City Court citation).
How is the other side served in a Louisiana small claims case?
Citation by certified mail counts as personal service; if that fails, the marshal usually serves (Shreveport City Court).
Which court hears small claims in Louisiana?
Small claims division of the city court (La. R.S. 13:5202).
Compare every state: small claims limits by state · Kentucky small claims · Maine small claims