Small Claims Limits
General information from official sources, not legal advice. Rules change. Check with the court before you file.

All states

Small claims court in Louisiana

$5,000maximum claim in Small claims division of city court, as of 29 October 2026

The basics

Small claims limit
$5,0001,2La. R.S. 13:5202(A)

Small claims cases can be for $5,000 or less, not counting interest, court costs, attorney fees or penalties.

Court
Small claims division of city court1,3,2La. R.S. 13:5200 to 13:5211

Small claims are heard in the small claims division of a city court, such as Shreveport City Court.

Filing fee
Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source yet, so we do not show a figure.

Lawyers
Yes, not required2

Shreveport City Court says individuals may sue without a lawyer. A corporation generally needs a lawyer, unless an appointed officer or employee files a claim on an open account or promissory note.

Appeals
No appeal3,2La. R.S. 13:5200 to 13:5211

If you lose in small claims, you have no right to appeal. A defendant can instead ask, within 10 days of receiving the citation, to move the case to the regular civil docket, where appeal rights apply.

Deadlines to sue (statutes of limitations)

How long you usually have to file, counted from when the claim arose. Exceptions apply.

Written contract
10 years4La. Civ. Code art. 3499

10 years for most contract claims, unless another law sets a different period.

Oral contract
10 years4La. Civ. Code art. 3499

10 years. Louisiana uses the same period for written and oral contracts, unless another law sets a different period.

Property damage
2 years5La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1

2 years for damage caused by another's fault, counted from the day the damage happens. This rule took effect July 1, 2024, and older claims may have a different period.

Personal injury
2 years5La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1

2 years for personal injury, counted from the day the injury happens. This rule took effect July 1, 2024, and older claims may have a different period.

Small claims rules are set by state law and court rules, and fees are often set locally. Before you file, check the court's own page or call the clerk.

Sources

  1. La. R.S. 13:5202, Louisiana State Legislature, 2020-06-11official
  2. Small Claims Handbook, Shreveport City Court (revised 05/07/2025), City of Shreveport, 2025-05-07official
  3. Small Claims, Shreveport City Court, City of Shreveportofficial
  4. La. Civ. Code art. 3499, Personal action, Louisiana State Legislatureofficial
  5. La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1, Delictual actions, Louisiana State Legislature, 2024-07-01official

Checked 29 October 2026. "Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read and mark them here.