Need a Lawyer in Louisiana Right Now? Call 1-844-690-0555 — Free, 24/7

I just got arrested in Louisiana — what happens now?

In Louisiana you're entitled to a first appearance before a judge within 72 hours of arrest (weekends and holidays don't count toward the 72 hours), and a judge can set or review your bond. The parish District Attorney decides the charges, often by filing a 'bill of information' rather than going to a grand jury. In New Orleans, criminal cases run through Orleans Criminal District Court on Tulane Avenue, separate from the civil court. Don't discuss the facts with anyone but a lawyer. Call 1-844-690-0555 now — free, 24/7 — and we'll explain bond, the 72-hour appearance, and your next move, then book a Louisiana defense attorney if you want one. Information, not advice.

How long do I have to sue someone in Louisiana?

Louisiana calls its deadline 'liberative prescription,' not statute of limitations. For personal injury and most tort (delictual) claims, the period is now two years for causes of action arising on or after July 1, 2024 — it was only one year before that, and many people still assume it's one year. Other types of claim have different periods, and missing prescription usually kills your case for good. Don't guess. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, and we'll explain which deadline applies to your situation and how to protect it. This is legal information, not legal advice.

Do I have to leave my house during a Louisiana divorce?

Usually no — neither spouse is automatically required to move out. Louisiana is a community property state, so the home and assets acquired during the marriage are generally owned in common, and a court can grant one spouse temporary use of the family home, often tied to custody of the children. Domestic-violence protective orders are a separate, faster path. Louisiana divorces under Civil Code Article 102 or 103 also carry a waiting period — 180 days, or 365 days when there are minor children. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, for plain-English information on your options, then we can book a Louisiana family lawyer. Information, not advice.

What is forced heirship and can it override a will?

Yes — and it's unique to Louisiana. Under the Civil Code, certain 'forced heirs' are entitled to a share of an estate that a will cannot take away: children 23 or younger at the time of death, or descendants of any age who are permanently unable to care for themselves due to mental incapacity or physical infirmity. One forced heir is entitled to one-quarter of the estate; two or more share one-half. You cannot fully disinherit a forced heir without legal 'just cause.' It catches families off guard all the time. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, to understand how forced heirship affects your estate or succession, then book a Louisiana attorney if needed. Information, not advice.

Do I need a lawyer for a succession in Louisiana?

Louisiana uses 'succession,' not 'probate,' to transfer a deceased person's property, and whether you need a lawyer depends on the estate. Small, simple estates may use a streamlined affidavit process, but anything with real estate, forced heirs, a usufruct for a surviving spouse, or family disputes usually needs an attorney and a court filing in the parish District Court. Getting usufruct and naked ownership wrong can cause lasting family fights. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, and we'll explain whether your succession is simple or complex, then connect you with a Louisiana succession lawyer. Information, not advice.

I got a DWI in Louisiana — what's the deadline I keep hearing about?

After a Louisiana DWI arrest you generally have only 30 days to request an administrative hearing with the Office of Motor Vehicles to challenge the suspension of your license. Miss it and the suspension takes effect on the 31st day, regardless of how the criminal case goes. The criminal charge and the license issue are two separate tracks, and both have deadlines — a trap that catches people constantly. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, and we'll explain both the 30-day license hearing and the criminal process, then book a Louisiana DWI attorney if you want representation. This is legal information, not legal advice.

I'm being evicted in Louisiana — how fast can it happen?

Louisiana eviction moves quickly. A landlord typically serves a notice to vacate (often five days for nonpayment, unless your lease says otherwise), then files a 'rule to show cause' in city, parish, or justice-of-the-peace court, and a hearing is set within days. You have the right to appear and raise defenses, and a landlord cannot lawfully lock you out or seize your belongings without a court order. Acting fast matters. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, for information on the notice, the hearing, and your defenses, and we can connect you with a Louisiana housing attorney or legal aid. Information, not advice.

How do I find a lawyer in Louisiana fast?

Fastest path: call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7. You'll speak with our AI legal assistant, trained on Louisiana law, for instant information, and if you want representation we'll book you a consultation with a Louisiana-licensed attorney. You can also use the LSBA's Find Legal Help hub or a local bar referral service (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or Lafayette), and income-eligible Louisianans can apply through LouisianaLawHelp.org for free civil legal aid. But for an immediate, no-qualification answer at any hour, start with the hotline. It gives legal information, not legal advice.

Is the hotline a Louisiana law firm, and is the call really free?

The call is genuinely free, 24/7, with no income test. The hotline is not a law firm, and our AI legal assistant is not a Louisiana lawyer — it gives legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by calling. That distinction matters under Louisiana's rules on the unauthorized practice of law. If you decide you need representation, we can connect you with a Louisiana-licensed attorney for a separate paid consultation. So you lose nothing by calling 1-844-690-0555 first to understand where you stand.

Which court handles my case — and why does New Orleans have two?

In most of Louisiana, the parish's numbered Judicial District Court handles both civil and criminal trials — for example the 19th JDC in East Baton Rouge or the 15th JDC in Lafayette. New Orleans is the exception: Orleans Parish has no numbered district and instead runs a separate Civil District Court on Loyola Avenue and a Criminal District Court on Tulane Avenue, each with its own clerk. Picking the wrong court wastes time you may not have. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, and we'll point you to the right Louisiana court and the next step. Information, not advice.