EVERY DEADLINE
37 periods Louisiana law measures, gathered out of the file and put in order, shortest first. Each one says what starts it, whose period it is, and what the law attaches to it. The shortest here is 24 hours. The longest is 2 years.
Every period on this page is stated by a section of the file and carries that section's own authority. None of it is a calculation: a period that turns on facts, on service, or on a court's discretion is described the way the section describes it and no further.
37 deadlines
Traffic stops2
3 calendar days
Proving insurance after an impound
- From
- The notice of noncompliance, not counting weekends and legal holidays
- Whose
- The vehicle owner
The owner shows the office of motor vehicles that coverage was in force within 3 calendar days, and a valid plate then comes back at no cost.
72 hours
Reporting a crash in an evacuation zone
- From
- A crash in an area under an evacuation order or a declared emergency
- Whose
- The driver
In an evacuation area or a declared emergency, the driver has 72 hours to notify the police and exchange name, address and registration.
Marijuana and drugs4
30 days
Claiming seized property
- From
- The notice of pending forfeiture
- Whose
- The owner or interest holder
A sworn claim goes by certified mail to the seizing agency and the district attorney within 30 days after the notice of pending forfeiture.
45 days
A written assertion of forfeiture
- From
- The seizure of the property
- Whose
- The district attorney
A district attorney who means to forfeit seized property gives the owner a written assertion within 45 days after the seizure.
60 days
Asking for more time to claim seized property
- From
- Receipt of the notice of pending forfeiture
- Whose
- The owner or interest holder
A motion to extend the time to file a forfeiture claim is filed within 60 days after receiving the notice.
120 days
Serving notice of pending forfeiture
- From
- The seizure of the property for forfeiture
- Whose
- The district attorney
Without a notice of pending forfeiture served within 120 days of the seizure, the property is released on the owner's request.
Impaired driving1
30 days
Asking for a hearing after a DWI arrest
- From
- The arrest
- Whose
- The driver
The temporary receipt is good for up to 30 days, and a written request for an administrative hearing is due within 30 days of the arrest.
Court and money16
24 hours
The wait after a marriage license
- From
- Issuance of the marriage license
- Whose
- The officiant
No officiant performs a marriage ceremony until 24 hours have passed since the license was issued.
3 days
Attorney fees on an unpaid wage claim
- From
- The first demand for payment after the job ended
- Whose
- The employee
Reasonable attorney fees are allowed for a well founded wage suit filed after three days from the first demand.
10 days
A hearing on a protective order petition
- From
- Service of the petition, where no temporary order was granted
- Whose
- The court
Without a temporary restraining order, the rule to show cause is heard within 10 days from service of the petition.
14 days
The first compensation payment
- From
- The employer's or insurer's knowledge of the injury
- Whose
- The employer or insurer
The first total disability payment is due on the fourteenth day after the employer or insurer learns of the injury.
15 days
Appealing an unemployment determination
- From
- Notice of the determination given or mailed
- Whose
- The claimant or the employer
A determination is appealed to an appeal referee within 15 days after notice was given or mailed.
15 days
Appealing to the board of review
- From
- The referee's decision, given or mailed
- Whose
- The claimant or the employer
The appeal referee's decision may be appealed to the board of review within 15 days after it was given or mailed.
15 days
Final wages after a job ends
- From
- The discharge or resignation
- Whose
- The employer
Final wages are due by the next regular payday or within 15 days of the discharge or resignation, whichever comes first.
21 days
A hearing after an emergency restraining order
- From
- A temporary restraining order granted without notice
- Whose
- The court
When a temporary restraining order issues without notice, the hearing on the protective order is set within 21 days.
At least 30 days before
Notice before a job discrimination suit
- From
- Filing the suit, counted back
- Whose
- The employee
Written notice detailing the discrimination goes to the employer at least 30 days before suit, and both sides try to resolve it.
30 days
Notice to an heir who does not sign
- From
- Mailing the notice of intent to execute a small succession affidavit
- Whose
- The affiants
An heir who does not sign the affidavit was given thirty days' notice by mail of the intent to execute it and did not object.
30 days
Telling the employer of a work injury
- From
- The injury
- Whose
- The employee
No compensation proceeding can be maintained unless the employer is notified of the injury within 30 days.
60 days
The board of review's decision
- From
- The board's receipt of the appeal
- Whose
- The board of review
The board of review decides and notifies the parties within 60 days from the date an appeal is received.
180 days
Waiting after a divorce petition, no children
- From
- Service of the divorce petition, where there are no minor children
- Whose
- Either spouse
With no minor children, 180 days run from service of the petition before a rule for the divorce judgment.
1 year
A workers' compensation claim
- From
- The accident at work
- Whose
- The employee
A claim is barred unless payments are agreed or a formal claim is filed within one year after the accident.
365 days
Waiting after a divorce petition, with children
- From
- Service of the divorce petition, where there are minor children
- Whose
- Either spouse
With minor children, 365 days run from service of the petition before a rule for the divorce judgment.
18 months
How long a final protective order lasts
- From
- The final protective order
- Whose
- The court
A final protective order lasts a fixed period of up to 18 months and may be extended after a hearing.
Your home14
24 hours
A suspensive appeal of an eviction
- From
- The judgment of eviction
- Whose
- The tenant
An appeal stops the eviction only if applied for, with the bond filed, within 24 hours after the judgment.
24 hours
Leaving after a judgment of eviction
- From
- The judgment of eviction
- Whose
- The tenant
If the tenant has not left within 24 hours after the judgment, the court issues a warrant to deliver possession to the landlord.
3 days
The earliest an eviction hearing can be held
- From
- Service of the rule to show cause
- Whose
- The court
The court makes the eviction rule returnable no earlier than the third day after service, and hears any defense then.
At least 5 calendar days before
Ending a lease measured by the week
- From
- The end of the lease period, counted back
- Whose
- The landlord or the tenant
Notice ending a lease measured by a week or more but less than a month is given at least 5 calendar days before the period ends.
At least 5 days
Leaving after a notice to vacate
- From
- Delivery of the written notice to vacate
- Whose
- The tenant
The notice to vacate allows the tenant not less than 5 days from delivery to leave, unless the lease waived it.
1 week
Staying on after a fixed term ends
- From
- The end of a fixed lease term longer than a week
- Whose
- The tenant
A tenant who stays one week past a fixed term, with no notice or objection from either side, has a reconducted lease.
At least 10 calendar days before
Ending a month to month lease
- From
- The end of the month, counted back
- Whose
- The landlord or the tenant
Written notice ending a month to month lease is given at least 10 calendar days before the end of the month.
20 days
Paying rent after a written demand
- From
- Delivery of a written demand for rent on an oral lease
- Whose
- The tenant
Rent unpaid 20 days after a correct written demand makes the tenant liable for the landlord's attorney fees if the landlord wins.
At least 30 days
A service member's notice ending a lease
- From
- Service of the written notice of termination
- Whose
- The service member
A service member's written notice ending a lease takes effect on a stated date at least 30 days after it is served.
At least 30 calendar days before
Ending a lease measured by more than a month
- From
- The end of the lease period, counted back
- Whose
- The landlord or the tenant
Notice ending a lease measured by a period longer than a month is given at least 30 calendar days before that period ends.
30 days
No abandonment presumed after a disaster
- From
- The initial federal disaster declaration
- Whose
- The landlord
In a parish under a federal disaster declaration, leaving the home is not treated as abandonment for 30 days after the declaration.
30 days
Paying a deposit after a written demand
- From
- The tenant's written demand for the refund
- Whose
- The landlord
Not remitting within 30 days after a written demand counts as willful, which brings $300 or twice the amount kept, whichever is greater.
1 month
Returning a security deposit
- From
- The end of the lease
- Whose
- The landlord
The deposit, less what is kept for default or unreasonable wear, comes back with an itemized statement within one month after the lease ends.
2 years
A fair housing lawsuit
- From
- The discriminatory housing practice
- Whose
- The person harmed
An aggrieved person sues in state court within 2 years after the discriminatory housing practice occurred.
MyRightz is legal education, not legal advice. Nothing here creates an attorney client relationship. Applying the law to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Louisiana attorney.