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Lien deadlines · Louisiana

Louisiana mechanics lien deadlines: notice, lien and suit (2026)

By Oussama Chicha, EditorUpdated Checked against primary sources · not yet reviewed by a licensed professionalFact-checked
Quick answer

Under La. R.S. 9:4822(A), Louisiana's general lien filing deadline is 60 days after the work is substantially completed or abandoned, if a notice of termination is not filed, or, if a notice of termination of the work is filed, 60 days after a notice of termination of the work is filed. The deadline to sue is 1 year after the statement of claim or privilege is filed (La. R.S. 9:4823(A)).

Louisiana · Lien deadlinesVerified 2026-10-02
Lien filing
60 days after the work is substantially completed or abandoned, if a notice of termination is not filed
Preliminary notice
None required
Deadline to sue
1 year after the statement of claim or privilege is filed
Statute
La. R.S. 9:4801 to 9:4855

Preliminary notice

WhoProject typeBranchDeadlineStatute
Direct contractor, Subcontractor, Sub-subcontractor, Supplier, LaborerAnyDefaultNone requiredStatute: La. R.S. 9:4822(A); La. R.S. 9:4823(A)
A. Except as otherwise provided in Subsections B, C, and D of this Section, a person granted a privilege under R.S. 9:4801 or a claim and privilege under R.S. 9:4802 shall file a statement of his claim or privilege no later than sixty days after: (1) The filing of a notice of termination of the work. (2) The substantial completion or abandonment of the work, if a notice of termination is not filed.
La. R.S. 9:4822(A) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2025-12-13
A. A privilege provided by R.S. 9:4801, a claim against the owner and the privilege securing it provided by R.S. 9:4802, or a claim against the contractor provided by R.S. 9:4802 is extinguished if any of the following occurs: (1) The claimant or holder of the privilege does not preserve it as required by R.S. 9:4822. (2) The claimant or holder of the privilege does not institute an action against the owner for the enforcement of the claim or privilege within one year after filing the statement of claim or privilege to preserve it. (3) The obligation that it secures is extinguished.
La. R.S. 9:4823(A) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2024-10-16

Notice of intent

WhoProject typeBranchDeadlineStatute
Subcontractor, Sub-subcontractor, Supplier, LaborerAnyIn connection with a residential work for which a timely notice of contract was not filedBefore the period of Subsection A expires and at least ten days before filing the statement of claim or privilegeStatute: La. R.S. 9:4822(D)
What the statute says about it. If the notice of nonpayment is given, the period to file the statement of claim or privilege expires seventy days after the filing of a notice of termination of the work, or after the substantial completion or abandonment of the work if a notice of termination is not filed. Recipients: The owner.
D. If before expiration of the period provided in Subsection A of this Section and at least ten days before filing his statement of claim or privilege a person granted a privilege under R.S. 9:4801(3) or (4), or a claim and privilege under R.S. 9:4802, in connection with a residential work for which a timely notice of contract was not filed gives notice of nonpayment to the owner, setting forth the amount and nature of the obligation giving rise to the claim and privilege, then the period in which the person is permitted to file his statement of claim or privilege shall expire seventy days after: (1) The filing of a notice of termination of the work. (2) The substantial completion or abandonment of the work, if a notice of termination is not filed.
La. R.S. 9:4822(D) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2025-12-13

Lien filing

WhoProject typeBranchDeadlineStatute
Direct contractor, Subcontractor, Sub-subcontractor, Supplier, LaborerAnyDefault60 days after the work is substantially completed or abandoned, if a notice of termination is not filedStatute: La. R.S. 9:4822(A)
Subcontractor, Sub-subcontractor, Supplier, LaborerAnyIf a notice of contract is properly and timely filed in the manner provided by R.S. 9:48116 months after the work is substantially completed or abandoned, if a notice of termination is not filedStatute: La. R.S. 9:4822(B)
Direct contractorAnyFor a general contractor whose privilege has been preserved in the manner provided by R.S. 9:48117 months after the work is substantially completed or abandoned, if a notice of termination is not filedStatute: La. R.S. 9:4822(C)
Subcontractor, Sub-subcontractor, Supplier, LaborerAnyIf, before the period of Subsection A expires and at least ten days before filing the statement of claim or privilege, notice of nonpayment is given to the owner in connection with a residential work for which a timely notice of contract was not filed70 days after the work is substantially completed or abandoned, if a notice of termination is not filedStatute: La. R.S. 9:4822(D)
Direct contractor, Subcontractor, Sub-subcontractor, Supplier, LaborerAnyIf a notice of termination of the work is filed60 days after a notice of termination of the work is filedStatute: La. R.S. 9:4822(A)
Subcontractor, Sub-subcontractor, Supplier, LaborerAnyIf a notice of contract is properly and timely filed in the manner provided by R.S. 9:481130 days after a notice of termination of the work is filedStatute: La. R.S. 9:4822(B)
Direct contractorAnyFor a general contractor whose privilege has been preserved in the manner provided by R.S. 9:481160 days after a notice of termination of the work is filedStatute: La. R.S. 9:4822(C)
Subcontractor, Sub-subcontractor, Supplier, LaborerAnyIf, before the period of Subsection A expires and at least ten days before filing the statement of claim or privilege, notice of nonpayment is given to the owner in connection with a residential work for which a timely notice of contract was not filed70 days after a notice of termination of the work is filedStatute: La. R.S. 9:4822(D)
A. Except as otherwise provided in Subsections B, C, and D of this Section, a person granted a privilege under R.S. 9:4801 or a claim and privilege under R.S. 9:4802 shall file a statement of his claim or privilege no later than sixty days after: (1) The filing of a notice of termination of the work. (2) The substantial completion or abandonment of the work, if a notice of termination is not filed.
La. R.S. 9:4822(A) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2025-12-13
B. If a notice of contract is properly and timely filed in the manner provided by R.S. 9:4811, a person to whom a claim and privilege is granted by R.S. 9:4802 shall file a statement of his claim or privilege and deliver to the owner, if his address is given in the notice of contract, a copy of the statement of claim or privilege, no later than: (1) Thirty days after the filing of a notice of termination of the work. (2) Six months after the substantial completion or abandonment of the work, if a notice of termination is not filed.
La. R.S. 9:4822(B) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2025-12-13
C. A general contractor to whom a privilege is granted by R.S. 9:4801, and whose privilege has been preserved in the manner provided by R.S. 9:4811, shall file a statement of his privilege no later than: (1) Sixty days after the filing of a notice of termination of the work. (2) Seven months after the substantial completion or abandonment of the work, if a notice of termination is not filed.
La. R.S. 9:4822(C) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2025-12-13
D. If before expiration of the period provided in Subsection A of this Section and at least ten days before filing his statement of claim or privilege a person granted a privilege under R.S. 9:4801(3) or (4), or a claim and privilege under R.S. 9:4802, in connection with a residential work for which a timely notice of contract was not filed gives notice of nonpayment to the owner, setting forth the amount and nature of the obligation giving rise to the claim and privilege, then the period in which the person is permitted to file his statement of claim or privilege shall expire seventy days after: (1) The filing of a notice of termination of the work. (2) The substantial completion or abandonment of the work, if a notice of termination is not filed.
La. R.S. 9:4822(D) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2025-12-13

Service of the lien

WhoProject typeBranchDeadlineStatute
Subcontractor, Sub-subcontractor, Supplier, LaborerAnyIf a notice of contract is properly and timely filed in the manner provided by R.S. 9:48116 months after the work is substantially completed or abandoned, if a notice of termination is not filedStatute: La. R.S. 9:4822(B)
What the statute says about it. Recipients: The owner, if his address is given in the notice of contract.
Subcontractor, Sub-subcontractor, Supplier, LaborerAnyIf a notice of contract is properly and timely filed in the manner provided by R.S. 9:481130 days after a notice of termination of the work is filedStatute: La. R.S. 9:4822(B)
What the statute says about it. Recipients: The owner, if his address is given in the notice of contract.
B. If a notice of contract is properly and timely filed in the manner provided by R.S. 9:4811, a person to whom a claim and privilege is granted by R.S. 9:4802 shall file a statement of his claim or privilege and deliver to the owner, if his address is given in the notice of contract, a copy of the statement of claim or privilege, no later than: (1) Thirty days after the filing of a notice of termination of the work. (2) Six months after the substantial completion or abandonment of the work, if a notice of termination is not filed.
La. R.S. 9:4822(B) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2025-12-13

Deadline to sue

WhoProject typeBranchDeadlineStatute
Direct contractor, Subcontractor, Sub-subcontractor, Supplier, LaborerAnyDefault1 year after the statement of claim or privilege is filedStatute: La. R.S. 9:4823(A)
What the statute says about it. Otherwise the claim or privilege is extinguished.
A. A privilege provided by R.S. 9:4801, a claim against the owner and the privilege securing it provided by R.S. 9:4802, or a claim against the contractor provided by R.S. 9:4802 is extinguished if any of the following occurs: (1) The claimant or holder of the privilege does not preserve it as required by R.S. 9:4822. (2) The claimant or holder of the privilege does not institute an action against the owner for the enforcement of the claim or privilege within one year after filing the statement of claim or privilege to preserve it. (3) The obligation that it secures is extinguished.
La. R.S. 9:4823(A) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2024-10-16

Notice of commencement and completion

A notice of termination of the work certifies that the work has been substantially completed, that it has been abandoned by the owner, that the general contractor is in default under the terms of the contract, or that the contract with the general contractor has terminated.

(3) Shall certify the occurrence of one or more of the following: (a) The work has been substantially completed. (b) The work has been abandoned by the owner. (c) The general contractor is in default under the terms of the contract. (d) The contract with the general contractor has terminated.
La. R.S. 9:4822(E)(3) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2025-12-13

If the work has been substantially completed or abandoned by the owner, the owner files a notice of termination of the work no later than ten days after receiving a request from the general contractor.

F. If the work has been substantially completed or has been abandoned by the owner, the owner shall file a notice of termination of the work no later than ten days after receipt of a request for its filing from the general contractor.
La. R.S. 9:4822(F) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2025-12-13

How the days are counted

The day of the event is not counted, and the last day of the period is.

A. In computing a period of time allowed or prescribed by law or by order of court, the date of the act, event, or default from which the period begins to run is not included.
La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 5059(A) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2026-06-24

A last day that falls on a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday moves to the next day that is not one.

The last day of the period is included, unless it is a legal holiday, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day that is not a legal holiday.
La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 5059(A) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2026-06-24
(3) Only the enumerated holidays in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, days of closure under Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, Mardi Gras only in those parishes in which the governing authority of the parish declares a holiday under authority of Paragraph (A)(3) of this Section, and all Saturdays and Sundays shall be considered as legal holidays for the purposes of Code of Civil Procedure Article 5059.
La. R.S. 1:55(E)(3) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2026-06-15

A last day on which the clerk of court’s office is closed for a hazardous or unsafe condition under R.S. 1:55(E)(2), a day that statute treats as a legal holiday also moves.

(2) If an emergency situation develops which, in the judgment of the clerk of court, renders it hazardous or otherwise unsafe for employees of the office of the clerk to continue in the performance of their official duties or for the general public to conduct business with the clerk's office, the clerk, with prior approval from the clerk's chief judge or other person authorized to exercise his authority, may order the closing of his office for the duration of the hazardous or unsafe condition.
La. R.S. 1:55(E)(2) · Archived copy of the official text, captured 2026-06-15

Who the deadlines apply to

Louisiana sets these stages in La. R.S. 9:4801 to 9:4855 [1]. The preliminary notice row reads None required for direct contractors, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, suppliers and laborers, on any project type [1] [2]. The two general filing rules of R.S. 9:4822(A) and the deadline to sue name the same five roles.

The rules tied to a notice of contract, the notice of nonpayment and the periods that follow it name subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, suppliers and laborers. The rules for a general contractor whose privilege has been preserved in the manner provided by R.S. 9:4811 name the direct contractor alone.

How the periods run

Under the general rule, the period to file a statement of claim or privilege is 60 days after the work is substantially completed or abandoned, if a notice of termination is not filed [1]. If a notice of termination of the work is filed, it is 60 days after a notice of termination of the work is filed [1].

If a notice of contract is properly and timely filed in the manner provided by R.S. 9:4811, the rules for subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, suppliers and laborers read 6 months after the work is substantially completed or abandoned, if a notice of termination is not filed and 30 days after a notice of termination of the work is filed [1]. The service stage repeats both periods under that condition, with the owner, if his address is given in the notice of contract, as recipient [1].

For a general contractor whose privilege has been preserved in the manner provided by R.S. 9:4811, the rules read 7 months after the work is substantially completed or abandoned, if a notice of termination is not filed and 60 days after a notice of termination of the work is filed [1].

In connection with a residential work for which a timely notice of contract was not filed, a notice of nonpayment goes to the owner, timed Before the period of Subsection A expires and at least ten days before filing the statement of claim or privilege [1]. If, before the period of Subsection A expires and at least ten days before filing the statement of claim or privilege, notice of nonpayment is given to the owner in connection with a residential work for which a timely notice of contract was not filed, the filing periods become 70 days after the work is substantially completed or abandoned, if a notice of termination is not filed and 70 days after a notice of termination of the work is filed [1].

The suit period is 1 year after the statement of claim or privilege is filed [2]. Under R.S. 9:4823(A), if no action is instituted in that time, the claim or privilege is extinguished [2].

The notice of termination of the work

A notice of termination of the work certifies substantial completion, abandonment by the owner, the general contractor's default under the contract, or the end of the contract with the general contractor [1]. Where the work has been substantially completed or abandoned by the owner, the owner files the notice no later than ten days after receiving a request from the general contractor [1].

Counting the days

Code of Civil Procedure article 5059 leaves out the day of the event a period runs from [3]. The last day counts unless it is a legal holiday; then the period runs to the end of the next day that is not one, at every stage [3].

For article 5059, R.S. 1:55 treats every Saturday and Sunday as a legal holiday, along with the other days that section names [4]. Among them is a day on which the clerk of court's office is closed for a hazardous or unsafe condition under R.S. 1:55(E)(2) [4].

What changed recently

R.S. 9:4822 and 9:4823 were amended by Acts 2019, No. 325 [1] [2]. Code of Civil Procedure article 5059 was amended by Acts 2025, No. 250 [3], and R.S. 1:55 by Acts 2025, No. 305 [4].

Related

Run the numbers for Louisiana

Lien deadlines: other states

Sources

  1. La. R.S. 9:4822, Louisiana State Legislature (archived copy, captured 2025-12-13)
  2. La. R.S. 9:4823, Louisiana State Legislature (archived copy, captured 2024-10-16)
  3. La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 5059, Louisiana State Legislature (archived copy, captured 2026-06-24)
  4. La. R.S. 1:55, Louisiana State Legislature (archived copy, captured 2026-06-15)

Changelog

  1. : Page published.
  2. : 10 more jurisdictions published: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho and Indiana.
  3. : 10 more jurisdictions published: Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Missouri.
  4. : Dataset first published: 9 of 51 jurisdictions published.