How to Collect Your Judgment in Louisiana

A Louisiana judgment is enforceable for 10 years, and can be renewed before it expires. A Louisiana money judgment prescribes (expires) 10 years from signing (or 10 years from finality if appealed) under La. Civil Code art. 3501. It may be REVIVED before it prescribes by an action of revival under La. C.C.P. art. 2031, and may be revived as often as desired (each revival adds another 10 years).

Yes. Garnishment in Louisiana can reach 75% of disposable earnings per week are EXEMPT, i.e. up to 25% is garnishable, but never below 30x federal minimum wage in disposable earnings (La. R.S. 13:3881). Support obligations have higher garnishable amounts (child support up to 50%, spousal up to 60%).. Exemptions: La. R.S. 13:3881 — 75% of disposable wages exempt (25% garnishable); plus tools of trade, household goods, $7,500 vehicle equity, wedding/engagement rings up to $5,000, firearms up to $2,500, and more. Homestead exemption up to $35,000 (La. R.S. 20:1).

Through Judgment Debtor Rule / Examination of Judgment Debtor — the court orders the debtor to appear and disclose their assets under oath. File a Motion for Judgment Debtor Rule Examination stating a final, unpaid judgment exists and that the creditor wishes to examine the debtor about income and property (paystubs, W-2s, tax returns, vehicle titles, bank records). After personal service, the debtor must appear; refusal to appear/answer is punishable as contempt. La. C.C.P. art. 2451 (and arts. 2452-2456).

Louisiana uses 'judicial mortgage': record a certified copy of the judgment in the mortgage records of the parish where the debtor owns immovable property (La. Civil Code art. 3300, 3320). The recorded judgment creates a judicial mortgage on the debtor's immovable property in that parish. The lien lasts 10 years.

You pay the court and sheriff their own filing/levy fees directly (usually modest, and recoverable from the debtor). Our Judgment Collection service is a flat $299 — we prepare your Louisiana-specific enforcement forms and a step-by-step filing playbook; you file them. Compared with collection firms that take 33–50% of what they recover, that's hundreds to thousands less on a typical judgment.

Some debtors are "judgment-proof" — no job, no bank account, no equity — and no tool can squeeze money that isn't there. The honest play is the debtor's exam to confirm what exists, then keep the judgment alive (it lasts 10 years and is renewable) and try again when their situation changes. We give you the tools, not a guaranteed payout.