Satisfaction of Judgment Louisiana: How to Release a Lien After Payment

Collecting the last dollar on a judgment is a relief — but the work is not quite done. Louisiana law requires you to formally close the case by filing a satisfaction of judgment and canceling any liens you recorded. Skip this step, and the former debtor may have trouble clearing title to the property.

Why You Must File

A satisfied judgment that is not formally released continues to show up in public records. If you recorded a judicial mortgage, it still encumbers the debtor's property on title searches. That means the debtor may have trouble selling or refinancing property without clearing the lien — even though they already paid you in full. The recorded mortgage remains visible until it is canceled.

Filing the Satisfaction of Judgment

Once the debtor has paid the full balance — principal, accrued post-judgment interest, court costs, and enforcement expenses — you execute a formal Satisfaction of Judgment. This is a notarized document stating that the judgment has been paid in full and the creditor releases all claims.

File the satisfaction with the clerk of court in the court that rendered the original judgment. The clerk will note it on the docket, marking the case as satisfied.

Canceling a Judicial Mortgage

If you recorded a judicial mortgage in one or more parishes, you must also file a Request for Cancellation with the Clerk of Court's Mortgage Records department in every parish where the mortgage was recorded (La. C.C. art. 3366).

The cancellation process requires:

1. A written request for cancellation identifying the original mortgage recording
2. Evidence that the judgment is satisfied (typically the filed satisfaction of judgment or a certificate from the rendering court)
3. Payment of the clerk's filing fee for the cancellation

Each parish must be handled separately. If you recorded in Orleans Parish and Jefferson Parish, you need to file cancellations in both.

Release Garnishment Orders

If you had an active wage garnishment or bank garnishment, you must also notify the garnishee (the employer or bank) that the judgment is satisfied and they should stop withholding. File a formal release with the court as well.

Continuing to collect after full satisfaction of the judgment is not just poor practice — it exposes you to liability for overpayment and potential sanctions.

Written Confirmation to the Debtor

As a final step, send the debtor written confirmation that the judgment has been satisfied, the mortgage has been canceled, and any garnishments have been released. This protects both parties and provides the debtor with documentation they may need for future credit applications or property transactions.

Timeline

Handle all of this promptly after receiving final payment. Prompt cancellation allows the debtor to clear title and update the public records. Delays invite complaints and potential legal action.

For the complete process of collecting a judgment through payment and closing — including how to calculate the final balance with interest — see our Louisiana Judgment Collection Guide.

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