How to fill out a Louisiana Statement of Claim and Citation (small claims)

Plaintiff side — full name of suing party, daytime phone, street address, city/state/zip

Your identifying and contact information. Above the name, the form carries a verification in parentheses: "(By signing this petition, I verify that I have read and understand the Court's publication: 'How to Use the Small Claims Division.')" — the court's guide is part of what your signature covers.

Defendant side — full name of party being sued, name of owner if suing a company, street address, city/state/zip, daytime phone, other address

The defendant's identification, with two lines the form singles out: the full name of the party being sued, and the owner's name when the defendant is a company. A second address line ("other address for defendant") gives the constable an alternative place to serve.

"PLAINTIFF CLAIMS THE FOLLOWING RELIEF FROM THE DEFENDANT (Short Statement of Plaintiff's claim and reasons.)"

The form's own instructions for this box: if the claim is for money, state the date and manner in which the indebtedness arose; if the claim is for movable property, give description, location, and value; and attach copies of any written supporting documents. If more space is needed, the packet's attachment page (page 8) continues the statement, and a checkbox near the signature flags that an attachment exists.

"Amount sued for $___ plus legal interest and court costs."

The dollar amount — interest and court costs are claimed by the pre-printed language rather than added into the figure.

"I am requesting that this matter be heard by: (Check One) Arbitrator / Judge"

A checkbox choosing the decision-maker. The form's notice explains that a case may be decided by an arbitrator — a licensed attorney appointed by the judge — and that if the parties agree to be bound by the arbitration, the decision is final and binding.

Signature of Plaintiff — with the attachment checkbox

You sign the claim (which, per the verification text, also confirms you have read the court's small-claims guide). The "FILED" and deputy clerk lines are the court's.

"PLEASE SERVE DEFENDANT/AGENT: / At:"

Who to serve and where — the direction to the constable. The packet's later pages carry the constable's return-of-service blocks (personal, domiciliary, and due-and-diligent returns), which the server completes.

The "ATTENTION" notice served on the defendant

The citation tells the defendant, in the court's words: the ordinary rules of evidence do not apply in the Small Claims Division; a party who loses in the Small Claims Division has no right to appeal; the matter is tried before a judge unless both parties request an arbitrator in writing within ten days; the case can be transferred to the regular civil docket by written notice within ten days of receipt plus a $50.00 transfer fee; and a defendant who wants to contest the claim must contact the clerk in writing within ten days of receiving the notice (fifteen days if served through the Secretary of State, thirty if served via long-arm). It also explains that corporations and other legal entities may defend through a duly authorized partner, shareholder, officer, or employee on claims not exceeding $5,000 involving an open account or promissory note — and otherwise need an attorney.

Defendant's Answer and Reconventional Demand pages

The packet includes the defendant's answer form (three checkbox responses: owes nothing, owes only part, or owes the claim and consents to judgment) and a reconventional demand (counterclaim) page — a counterclaim over $5,000 requires a notarized affidavit and transfer to the regular city court docket. These pages are the defendant's, not yours.