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Resources for Self-Represented Litigants: Guides to Louisiana Law

This guide offers helpful information to Louisiana self-represented litigants (people who represent themselves in court without an attorney) including help finding legal information, resources, and referrals.

LEAP LibGuides

LEAP section header

The Legal Education and Assistance Program (LEAP) is a project sponsored by the Louisiana State Bar Association, with the support of the Louisiana Library Association, the Law Library of Louisiana, LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, Acadiana Legal Services, and Legal Services of North Louisiana. 

LEAP guides are designed to provide basic information about legal issues. They can connect you with services in your area that may help. You are welcome to send suggestions and feedback to LEAP@lsba.org.

LEAP also provides referral and form information, by parish. Check their website for more information. 

Divorce

Emancipation

Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program 

How to Obtain a Driver's License

Interdiction

Justice of the Peace/Small Claims Courts

Mayor's Courts

Medicaid 

Social Security

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

 

Statewide Online Legal Information

Pro Bono Desk Manual
An online manual written for lawyers but available to anyone. It provides detailed explanations of many laws affecting low-income people and communities. Newly updated in 2023.

Louisiana Law Help
A website written mainly for self-represented litigants. It provides brief descriptions of many laws and has some forms. Includes text and videos. 

Louisiana Law from FindLaw by Thomson Reuters
A website with explanations of Louisiana law. Topics include: accident and injury, business, civil rights, consumer, criminal, education, employment, estate planning, family, gambling and lottery, health care, property and real estate, tax, and statute of limitations (called "prescriptive period" in Louisiana). Also includes information about local municipality law.

Louisiana District Judges Association - Self-Represented Litigant Resources
Resources for self-represented litigants on topics such as court dates and evidence.

Other Legal Information Resources

Legal Information Reference Center
Provides online access to many top law reference books through EBSCO. Contains more than 310 complete publications and thousands of legal forms. Many of the books are made by Nolo. Nolo is a respected provider of legal information for consumers and small businesses. The books can be accessed anywhere, but a public library card is required to sign in.