Civil / Probate
The Civil Department is responsible for the filing of all pleadings relating to civil, probate, adoption records, successions, interdictions, and emancipations, as well as issuing services and notices.
Adoption records are not public. Therefore, copies of adoptions will require a court order to be released. Advance deposits must be paid at the time of filing apart from pauper cases and answers to the original petition in accordance with R.S. 13:843.
Small Claims
In accordance with R.S. 13:502 an individual may file any money claim under the amount of $5,000 on the Clerks Docket; all other claims are filed under the Civil Suits.
Civil Fee Schedule
(Effective: July 20, 2023)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Original Petition, Supplemental and/or Amending Petition, Petition of Intervention, Third Party Demand, Reconventional Demand, Motion for Summary Judgement, Judgement Debtor Examination & Rule for 102 Divorce (Note: Each Additional Defendant is an additional $150.00 Charge) | $425 |
| Original Petition with attached Order of Rule | $450 |
| Original Petition w/Rule & TRO | $500 |
| Executory Process (each additional defendant $100.00) | $500 |
| Garnishment (includes $50 to answer interrogatories) | $450 |
| Curator Fees | $450 |
| Service on Secretary of State | $50 |
| Rule for summary judgment is subject to exhibits attached | $500 |
| Additional for Attorney Appointed in Workman’s Comp Case | $125 |
Clerks Docket Suits
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Initial Filing with one Defendant | $425 |
| Initial Filing when prepared by Attorney with Petition and Affidavits | $400 |
Probate, Adoption, Interdiction, Judicial Commitment Suits
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Initial Filing for Incomplete Suit | $425 |
| Initial Filing for Adoption | $500 |
In all matters where filing is not mentioned here, such as interrogatories, etc., the amount to be charged will be on an actual basis (per page, service, mailing and the like) with as correct an estimate as can be made.