How to Enforce a Judgment in Louisiana

A money judgment from a Louisiana court is a piece of paper until you enforce it. The court does not chase down the debtor or seize their assets on your behalf — that responsibility falls entirely on you, the judgment creditor.

Confirm the Judgment Is Enforceable

Enforcement cannot begin until the judgment is final and executory. In a City Court Small Claims Division, that means three calendar days after the judge signs it, or three calendar days after formal service when required (La. R.S. 13:5208). In a Justice of the Peace Court, you must wait approximately 15 days from judgment or service of notice of judgment, as applicable, for the appeal window to close (La. C.C.P. art. 4924).

Before filing anything, verify at the clerk's office that no motion for new trial, suspensive appeal, or bankruptcy petition has been filed. A suspensive appeal freezes enforcement entirely. A devolutive appeal does not — you can enforce during one, but you assume the risk if the judgment is reversed on appeal.

The Enforcement Toolkit

Louisiana law gives judgment creditors four primary tools. Each targets different debtor assets and carries different costs and timelines.

Writ of Fieri Facias

The broadest enforcement tool. The clerk issues a writ directing the sheriff, marshal, or constable to seize and sell the debtor's non-exempt property (La. C.C.P. arts. 2291–2294). A Writ of Fi. Fa. is valid for one year from issuance. If you do not complete execution within that year, you must apply for a new writ.

Wage Garnishment

File a Petition for Garnishment with the rendering court, naming the debtor's employer as garnishee. Seizure attaches upon service, and the employer begins withholding non-exempt earnings from the next pay cycle (La. C.C.P. art. 2411; La. R.S. 13:3881). If the employer answers affirmatively and no opposition is filed, obtain a signed Garnishment Judgment within 180 days of the filing of the answers or the seizure lapses automatically (La. C.C.P. art. 2411(B)(2)).

Bank Account Garnishment

Same petition process as wage garnishment, but served on the debtor's bank. The bank freezes whatever non-exempt funds are in the account at the moment of service. Federal benefits deposited electronically in the prior two months are automatically protected under 31 C.F.R. Part 212.

Judicial Mortgage

Record a certified copy of your judgment with the Clerk of Court in any parish where the debtor owns real estate. This creates a lien — a judicial mortgage — that attaches to all current and future property the debtor owns in that parish for 10 years (La. C.C. arts. 3299 et seq.). The lien must be addressed as part of a sale or refinance.

Which Officer Handles Your Case?

The executing officer depends on which court rendered the judgment:

• City Court: City Marshal or City Constable
• Justice of the Peace Court: Ward Constable
• District Court: Parish Sheriff

You direct the officer to the debtor's assets with written instructions. The officer handles the physical seizure and sale — you cannot do that yourself.

Enforcement in Another Parish

If the debtor's assets are in a different parish from the one that rendered the judgment, you must transfer the judgment to that parish. File a certified copy of the judgment in the target parish's court (La. C.C.P. art. 2781), then proceed with enforcement there using the local sheriff or marshal.

Plan Before You Spend

Every enforcement action requires an advance deposit. Garnishment filings run $100–$180. Physical seizures require $300–$1,500+ in deposits for towing, storage, and advertising. These costs are recoverable from the debtor, but you pay them first.

Start with the cheapest and most productive option. If you know the debtor's employer, wage garnishment is usually the most reliable tool — it produces steady payments over time. If they own real property but no liquid assets, a judicial mortgage preserves your claim until the property sells. Reserve physical seizure for situations where you have confirmed high-value, non-exempt movable property.

Our Louisiana Judgment Collection Guide walks through each enforcement tool with the exact filing steps, forms, fee breakdowns, and exemption thresholds.

See more Louisiana guides →