Louisiana Debt Collection Laws | Debt Collector Map

Your federal rights

These federal rules apply in Louisiana and every other state. Louisiana's own law, below, can add more.

Who the federal law covers. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) covers debt collectors who collect for someone else and companies that buy debts, not usually the original creditor collecting its own debt (15 U.S.C. 1692a(6)). Some state laws also cover original creditors.
A validation notice. A collector must give you a validation notice, in its first message or within 5 days after it, with the amount, the creditor and how to dispute (15 U.S.C. 1692g(a); 12 CFR 1006.34).
Your right to dispute. If you dispute the debt in writing within the validation period (30 days after you get the notice), the collector must stop collecting until it mails you verification (15 U.S.C. 1692g(b); 12 CFR 1006.38).
When collectors can contact you. No calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. your time, or at work if your employer doesn't allow it (15 U.S.C. 1692c(a)). More than 7 calls in 7 days about one debt is presumed to break the law (12 CFR 1006.14(b)(2)).
Telling a collector to stop. If you tell a collector in writing to stop contacting you, it must stop, except to tell you it is ending collection or will take a specific step such as a lawsuit (15 U.S.C. 1692c(c)).
What collectors can't do. No threats, obscene language, false statements (for example pretending to be a lawyer or the government, or threatening arrest) and no unfair practices such as collecting fees your contract doesn't allow (15 U.S.C. 1692d, 1692e, 1692f). A collector generally can't discuss your debt with your family, neighbors or employer (15 U.S.C. 1692c(b)).

Read how to dispute a debt or stop collector calls.

Louisiana law and extra protections

State law: Louisiana Consumer Credit Law: unauthorized collection practices
Law: La. R.S. 9:3562
Covers original creditors: Yes
Extra protections: A creditor cannot contact people outside your household about your debt, except credit bureaus and other lenders, unless you agree after the debt arises (La. R.S. 9:3562).
If you are behind and send the creditor a written stop-contact letter by registered or certified mail, it can then mail you only one notice a month and make at most four personal contacts to settle the debt (La. R.S. 9:3562(3)).
Collection agencies and debt collectors doing business in Louisiana must register with the Secretary of State (La. R.S. 9:3534.1).
Can you sue under it?: Yes, in general terms: the law keeps your right to sue for damages under Civil Code article 2315 (La. R.S. 9:3562(5)). It sets no fixed damages amount. You can also sue a debt collector under the federal FDCPA.
Official text: Read the law

Old debts in Louisiana

Written contracts: 10 years
Open accounts and unwritten agreements: 3 years
Does a payment restart the clock?: Yes, while the time limit is still running: acknowledging the debt interrupts prescription and the clock starts over (La. Civ. Code art. 3464). After the time limit has run, the clock does not restart, but you can give up (renounce) the defense, in words or by your conduct (La. Civ. Code arts. 3449, 3450).
Must collectors say a debt is too old?: No state rule found that makes collectors tell you a debt is too old to sue on. Federal rule: a debt collector may not sue you or threaten to sue you on a time-barred debt (12 CFR 1006.26(b)).
Law: La. Civ. Code art. 3494 (3 years: open account, money lent); art. 3498 (5 years: promissory notes and instruments); art. 3499 (10 years: other personal actions, including most contracts); arts. 3464, 3449, 3450
Official text: Read the law

The time limit is the statute of limitations. Once it runs out, the debt is “time-barred”: a collector must not sue or threaten to sue you, but the debt still exists. Read more about time-barred debt.

Is my debt too old? Check Louisiana's time limit

Every state limits how long a creditor or collector has to sue you over a debt. This is the statute of limitations. Choose your state, the type of debt and the date of your last payment to see the limit and an estimated end date. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Wage garnishment and bank accounts in Louisiana

Wage limit: Federal limit applies: you keep 75% of your disposable earnings, and never less than 30 times the federal minimum wage per week ($217.50).
Law: La. R.S. 13:3881(A)(1)

Federal benefits such as Social Security, SSI and VA benefits that were directly deposited are protected in your bank account up to two months' worth (31 CFR 212.6). A creditor usually needs a court judgment before it can garnish your wages or bank account.

Property you can keep in Louisiana

Home: up to $35,000 of value; the full value is protected against debts from a catastrophic or terminal illness or injury (La. R.S. 20:1). One vehicle: up to $15,000 of equity, and a second one up to $15,000 if you are married or have a licensed driver child in the home; $20,000 for a vehicle adapted for a disability (La. R.S. 13:3881(A)(7), (8), as amended by Acts 2026, No. 55). Household furniture, appliances, clothing and pets are also protected (13:3881(A)(4)).

Collector licensing in Louisiana

License required: Yes
Who licenses: Louisiana Secretary of State, (225) 925-4704 (registration, not a license; La. R.S. 9:3534.1). The Office of Financial Institutions does not regulate collection agencies.

Medical debt in Louisiana

If your debt comes from a catastrophic or terminal illness or injury (uninsured medical bills over $10,000 that are more than half of your yearly income), your whole home is protected from seizure, not just $35,000 (La. R.S. 20:1(A)(2), (3)). No other Louisiana medical debt law was found.

If you are sued in Louisiana

Time to answer: 21 days after you are served in district court, or 30 days if discovery requests were served with the petition (La. C.C.P. art. 1001). Only 10 days in parish and city courts (La. C.C.P. art. 4903).
If you don't answer: If you do not answer in time, the creditor can ask the court for a default judgment against you.

Don't ignore court papers. Read what to do if a debt collector sues you.

Where to complain in Louisiana

Louisiana: Louisiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Section · 1-800-351-4889
Federal: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau takes complaints about debt collectors at consumerfinance.gov/complaint · (855) 411-2372.
You can also report a collector to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Free help in Louisiana

Good to know in Louisiana

Credit card and other open-account debts usually have only 3 years (La. Civ. Code art. 3494). Signed contracts that are not notes can have 10 years (art. 3499).
In city and parish courts you have only 10 days to answer (La. C.C.P. art. 4903).
Louisiana's harassment rule covers original creditors, not only collection agencies (La. R.S. 9:3562).

Changes in 2024–2026

Acts 2026, No. 55 (HB 135) amended La. R.S. 13:3881: the vehicle exemption rose from $7,500 to $15,000 of equity, the exemption for a vehicle adapted for a disability rose from $7,500 to $20,000, and health savings accounts (up to the yearly IRS family limit) are now exempt.

Free letters to send a collector

Dispute a debt and ask for proof (validation letter)

Within 30 days of the collector's validation notice.

Tell a collector to stop or limit contact

Stop all contact, writing only, or no calls at work.

Questions about debt collection in Louisiana

What is the statute of limitations on debt in Louisiana?

10 years for written contracts and 3 years for open accounts and unwritten agreements (La. Civ. Code art. 3494 (3 years: open account, money lent); art. 3498 (5 years: promissory notes and instruments); art. 3499 (10 years: other personal actions, including most contracts); arts. 3464, 3449, 3450).

Does paying on an old debt restart the clock in Louisiana?

Yes, while the time limit is still running: acknowledging the debt interrupts prescription and the clock starts over (La. Civ. Code art. 3464). After the time limit has run, the clock does not restart, but you can give up (renounce) the defense, in words or by your conduct (La. Civ. Code arts. 3449, 3450).

Must a collector tell me a debt is too old to sue on in Louisiana?

No state rule found that makes collectors tell you a debt is too old to sue on. Federal rule: a debt collector may not sue you or threaten to sue you on a time-barred debt (12 CFR 1006.26(b)).

How much of my paycheck can be garnished in Louisiana?

Federal limit applies: you keep 75% of your disposable earnings, and never less than 30 times the federal minimum wage per week ($217.50).

Do debt collectors need a license in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana Secretary of State, (225) 925-4704 (registration, not a license; La. R.S. 9:3534.1). The Office of Financial Institutions does not regulate collection agencies.

Does Louisiana have its own debt collection law?

Yes: the Louisiana Consumer Credit Law: unauthorized collection practices (La. R.S. 9:3562). It also covers original creditors collecting their own debts.

How long do I have to answer a debt lawsuit in Louisiana?

21 days after you are served in district court, or 30 days if discovery requests were served with the petition (La. C.C.P. art. 1001). Only 10 days in parish and city courts (La. C.C.P. art. 4903).

Does Louisiana protect people with medical debt?