Courts · Small Claims
Small Claims Court Limit in Louisiana
The most you can sue for in Louisiana small claims — with the filing-fee range and whether a lawyer is allowed, cited to the statute.
The limit, the fee & who can appear in Louisiana
The claim ceiling, how the filing fee is set, and whether lawyers are allowed at the hearing.
| Maximum claim | $5,000 |
| How the limit works | One statewide limit |
| Filing fee | ~$35–$150 per case by city court; each court sets its own costs (about $35 for one defendant in Shreveport, roughly $85 in Baton Rouge), plus separate service costs |
| Lawyers at the hearing | Allowed Either side may hire a lawyer, and many do because a small claims judgment in Louisiana cannot be appealed. Individuals may also represent themselves. |
| Statute / court rule | La. R.S. 13:5200 et seq. (13:5202 jurisdiction) |
The $5,000 cap is the same wherever a small claims division exists, but not every parish has one. La. R.S. 13:5201 lets each city court set up a small claims division by court rule; it does not require it. In parishes without a city court small claims division, minor money disputes are usually filed in justice of the peace court, which is a separate court with its own jurisdiction rather than the small claims division created by this statute.
Where to file in Louisiana
A reference page, not a filing walkthrough — here's the official resource for procedure.
This page is a reference for the dollar limit, fee, and whether a lawyer is allowed — not a step-by-step filing guide. For the forms, where to file, and how service works, use Louisiana's official court self-help resource.
→ Shreveport City Court (small claims division)What Louisiana filers get wrong
Louisiana caps small claims at $5,000, set by La. R.S. 13:5202. The wrinkle here is where those cases are heard. The statute (R.S. 13:5201) lets each city court create a small claims division by its own court rule, but it does not force every court to have one, so the small claims division exists in city courts that chose to set one up rather than uniformly across all 64 parishes. We confirmed the $5,000 figure on the official Shreveport City Court small claims page, which cites the statute directly, and the Baton Rouge City Court page shows the same limit. If your parish has no city court small claims division, a minor money dispute usually goes to justice of the peace court instead, which is a different court with separate rules. One thing worth planning around: a small claims judgment here is final, with no appeal, so both sides often bring a lawyer even though it is not required. Filing costs are set court by court, so expect roughly $35 for a single defendant in Shreveport up to around $85 in Baton Rouge, plus service costs on top.
Common questions
What is the small claims limit in Louisiana?
A small claims division has jurisdiction over money disputes up to $5,000, exclusive of interest, court costs, attorney fees, and penalties, under La. R.S. 13:5202. The cap is the same in every city court that has a small claims division.
Does every parish in Louisiana have a small claims court?
No. La. R.S. 13:5201 lets each city court set up a small claims division by court rule, but does not require it. Where no city court small claims division exists, a small money dispute is typically filed in justice of the peace court instead, which is a separate court with its own jurisdiction.
Can I appeal a Louisiana small claims judgment?
No. A judgment from a small claims division is final and cannot be appealed. Because the decision is final, both sides often choose to bring a lawyer even though it is not required.
How much does it cost to file a small claim in Louisiana?
It depends on the city court. Each court sets its own costs, so filing runs from about $35 for one defendant in Shreveport to roughly $85 in Baton Rouge, with additional charges for serving the defendant. Check the specific court where you plan to file.
Not legal advicePlainStatute provides plain-language summaries of public law for general information only. This is not legal advice. Statutes change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above before acting.