Facing
Eviction?
We can help.
Get Connected!
Eligibility for Legal Aid
Ofce Locations
Louisiana residents living in one of the 42
parishes west of the Mississippi River and;
whose income is at or below 125%, in some
cases 200%, of the current poverty guidelines
are eligible for free legal aid or;
who are 60 years or older, regardless of income
or assets, through limited funding from Council
on Aging organizations.
Lafayette
1020 Surrey Street
Lafayette, LA 70501
Natchitoches
134 St. Denis Street
Natchitoches, LA 71457
Lake Charles
2911 Ryan Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
Shreveport
720 Travis Street
Shreveport, LA 71101
Franklin
1407 Barrow St., Suite H-1
Franklin, LA 70538
Monroe
3016 Cameron Street
Monroe, LA 71201
Alexandria
1808 Jackson Street
Alexandria, LA 71301
Who is ALSC?
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation (ALSC) is a
non-prot law rm that provides free civil legal
aid and education to eligible low-income
individuals in Louisiana. We help remove legal
obstacle that trap families in cycles of poverty,
violence, and instability.
We serve these communities by providing direct
representation in administrative hearings and court
proceedings, advice and counsel, and a wide
varitey of community legal education initiatives.
ALSC has over 45 years of civil legal aid
experience and we serve 75% of Louisiana, which
covers forty-two (42) total parishes. Our mission is
to make hope, dignity, and justice available to all.
SCAN FOR
LEGAL AID
(866) 275-2572
www.la-law.org
acadianalegal
acadianalegalservice
Housing Resources
ALSC partners with the following organizations to
bring you current and helpful resources:
Visit www.la-law.org for more information on
eligibility requirements.
232-HELP
(337) 232-4357
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
www.ag.state.la.us
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
www.hud.gov
LALAWHELP
www.louisianalawhelp.org
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
www.catholiccharitiesusa.org
LOUISIANA 2-1-1
www.louisiana211.org
TOLL FREE: (866) 275-2572
ALSC Housing Unit
ALSC’s housing unit provides legal counsel and
advice on legal issues for:
Within these case types, we assist with evictions,
illegal utilities terminations, illegal lockouts,
landlord-tenant disputes, repair issues, and
security deposit issues.
FEDERALLY SUBSIDIZED HOUSING
PRIVATE LANDLORD / TENANT ISSUES
PUBLIC HOUSING
HOUSING DISCRIMINATION
How do I stop eviction?
If you have received a Notice to Vacate,
contact your lawyer as soon as you get the
notice.
If you have legal defenses to stop eviction,
le a notarized answer with the Clerk’s ofce
before the trial.
A legal defense answer must state your
defenses to the eviction. You must swear
before a notary that the statements in your
answer are true. There may be court costs
involved depending on the court.
Your rights during eviction.
The landlord cannot lawfully lock you out, throw
your belongings out or cut off your untilities.
Your landlord must get a court order to evict you.
If your landlord changes your locks, shuts off
your utilities or takes your property, they have
broken the law. A court may order him to stop
breaking the law and to pay you damages. You
have the right to appeal the judgement in a timely
manner.
Steps for
Eviction
NOTICE TO VACATE
Additional Services
Louisiana law provides that your land-
lord must give you a ve (5) day Notice
to Vacate before ling for eviction. This
right can be waived in your lease. If this
is the case, your landlord may le for an
eviction without giving you notice.
01
02
03
04
EVICTION CITATION
After ve days has passed, the landlord
will need to le a Rule for Possession
(also sometimes called a Rule to Evict or
Eviction Citation). Either a sheriff ofcer,
marshal or constable will serve you an
eviction notice. This notice will contain a
court date.
TRIAL ON EVICTION
A trial can be held as soon as three (3)
days after service upon the tenant. Your
hearing is your opportunity to tell your
side of the story and present any defenses
you think you have to the eviction.
JUDGMENT OF EVICTION
(Writ of Possession) If the judge rules
against you, you will only have 24 hours
from the time of the signing of judgment
to vacate the home. If you do not vacate
within 24 hours, the landlord may call
the sheriff, marshal or constable to begin
removing your belongings from the home.
Are you an at-risk tenant?
You are at-risk for eviction, if you are late paying
rent or violated any term in the written lease or
government-subsidized housing rules.
LATE RENT PAYMENTS
VIOLATION OF ANY TERMS
IN THE WRITTEN LEASE OR
GOVERNMENT-SUBSIDIZED
HOUSING RULES.
MOBILE HOMES
MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE
MORTGAGE PREDATORY LENDING
HOME OWNERSHIP/REAL PROPERTY
ALSC also provides legal aid to homeowners: