The average cost of an eviction in Louisiana for all filing, court, and service fees is $170. However, the cost can vary by parish. Eviction lawsuits are filed in City Court where the dwelling unit is located.
| Fee | City |
| Initial Court Filing | $100 + |
| Citation Service | $30 |
| Warrant of Possession Service | $30 |
| Warrant of Possession Execution | $10+ |
| Notice of Appeal Filing (Optional) | $125+ |
These filing, court, and service fees do not include outside costs such as legal fees or post-eviction fees (i.e., locksmith fees, storage costs for a tenant’s abandoned property, cleaning service fees, repair costs, or advertising costs for a vacant dwelling unit).
1. Initial Court Filing Fee
In Louisiana, if the eviction notice expires and the tenant remains on the property without correcting the issue, the landlord may file an eviction lawsuit (“Concursus Proceeding”) with the court the following business day.
The filing fee for an initial Concursus Proceeding varies by parish, for example in St. Tammany Parish the filing fee is $100. In Baton Rouge the filing fee is $158 plus $10 for each additional tenant.
2. Citation Service Fee
Once a Petition is filed in Louisiana, the court will issue a Citation. The Citation is the tenant’s official notice of an eviction lawsuit and contains important information (i.e., when and where to appear in court). The landlord must arrange for a sheriff to deliver the Citation and Petition to the tenant.
The Petition and Citation sheriff’s service fee is $30.[ttip number=’1′ icon=’popover-balance’]
3. Warrant of Possession Service Fee
In Louisiana, if the court rules in favor of the landlord, the court shall issue a Warrant of Possession (also known as a “Writ of Ejection” or “writ”). The warrant is the tenant’s final notice to vacate the premises.
A sheriff must deliver the warrant and they may charge a service fee that does not exceed $30. [ttip number=’1′ icon=’popover-balance’]
4. Warrant of Possession Execution Fee
Louisiana sheriffs can charge $30 [ttip number=’1′ icon=’popover-balance’] for executing the warrant, whereas constables and marshals can charge a minimum of $10 and a maximum of $30 [ttip number=’2′ icon=’popover-balance’] for executing the warrant. Once the warrant is executed, the possession of the property is legally restored to the landlord.
5. Notice of Appeal Filing Fee
If either party chooses to file an Appeal, they may do so as long as the Notice of Appeal is filed within 24 hours of the judgment.
The filing fee varies by parish, for example, Batton Rouge the filing fee is $125, and in Lafoursche Parish filing fee is $200. The court may also ask for a bond and the bond amount will be determined by the court.
Sources
- 1 LA Stat. tit. 13 § 5530 (2021)
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Sheriffs shall be entitled to no more than the following fees and compensation of office in all civil matters: (1) For all service and returns of legal documents, notices, and subpoenas – thirty dollars.
- 2 La. Stat. tit. 13 § 5530 (2021)
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(12)(a) For executing writ of possession or writ of ejectment – thirty dollars.
- 3 LA Rev Stat § 13:5530 (2021)
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(12)(a) For executing writ of possession or writ of ejectment – thirty dollars.
- 4 LA Rev Stat § 13:5807 (2021)
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(29)(a) For executing writ of possession and writ of ejectment, a minimum of ten dollars and a maximum of thirty dollars.