Step 1 — Determine Your Role and Project Type
Before doing anything else, you must identify:
whether you are a general (prime) contractor or a subcontractor/supplier, and
whether the project is residential or commercial, and
whether a Notice of Contract has been recorded in the parish mortgage records.
Step 2 — Check Parish Records for a Recorded Notice of Contract
Search the parish mortgage records where the property is located to determine whether a Notice of Contract has been recorded.
This step is critical because:
If a Notice of Contract is recorded, subcontractors and suppliers face shortened lien deadlines.
If no Notice of Contract is recorded, longer default deadlines apply.
Do not assume one exists. Always verify in the public records.
Step 3 — Send a Louisiana Notice of Nonpayment (If Required)
Louisiana does not use a universal preliminary notice system. Instead, certain parties—primarily subcontractors and suppliers on residential projects—may be required to send a Notice of Nonpayment to preserve lien rights.
When a Notice of Nonpayment Is Required
Typically applies to subcontractors and suppliers without a direct contract with the owner, especially on residential projects.
Deadline
When required, the Notice of Nonpayment must generally be sent within 30 days of last furnishing labor, materials, or services.
Step 4 — Identify Your Lien Filing Deadline
Louisiana lien deadlines depend on two key variables:
1. Subcontractors & Suppliers
If a Notice of Contract is recorded:
The lien must be filed within 30 days after a Notice of Termination is filed.If NO Notice of Contract is recorded:
The lien must be filed within 60 days after substantial completion of the work.
2. General (Prime) Contractors
Generally must file the lien within 60 days after filing a Notice of Termination, or
Within 60 days of substantial completion if no termination notice is filed.
These deadlines are strict and not extendable.
Step 5 — Prepare the Louisiana Statement of Claim or Privilege
The lien document in Louisiana is formally called a Statement of Claim or Privilege. It must be accurate, complete, and truthful.
At a minimum, it should include:
claimant’s legal name and address,
property owner’s name,
hiring party,
description of the labor, materials, or services provided,
amount owed and unpaid, and
property identification (legal description preferred).
Errors or overstated amounts can invalidate the privilege.
Step 3 — Send a Louisiana Notice of Nonpayment (If Required)
Louisiana does not use a universal preliminary notice system. Instead, certain parties—primarily subcontractors and suppliers on residential projects—may be required to send a Notice of Nonpayment to preserve lien rights.
When a Notice of Nonpayment Is Required
Typically applies to subcontractors and suppliers without a direct contract with the owner, especially on residential projects.
Deadline
When required, the Notice of Nonpayment must generally be sent within 30 days of last furnishing labor, materials, or services.
Step 4 — Identify Your Lien Filing Deadline
Louisiana lien deadlines depend on two key variables:
1. Subcontractors & Suppliers
If a Notice of Contract is recorded:
The lien must be filed within 30 days after a Notice of Termination is filed.If NO Notice of Contract is recorded:
The lien must be filed within 60 days after substantial completion of the work.
2. General (Prime) Contractors
Generally must file the lien within 60 days after filing a Notice of Termination, or
Within 60 days of substantial completion if no termination notice is filed.
These deadlines are strict and not extendable.
Step 5 — Prepare the Louisiana Statement of Claim or Privilege
The lien document in Louisiana is formally called a Statement of Claim or Privilege. It must be accurate, complete, and truthful.
At a minimum, it should include:
claimant’s legal name and address,
property owner’s name,
hiring party,
description of the labor, materials, or services provided,
amount owed and unpaid, and
property identification (legal description preferred).
Errors or overstated amounts can invalidate the privilege.