Guardianship and conservatorship in Louisiana: who, where, cost

How a court can name a guardian or conservator in Louisiana, what it costs and what to try first.

Checked against official sources: October 31, 2026.

Short answer

Interdiction (full, limited, temporary, preliminary); curator and undercurator; the person is an interdict.

Court
The court in the parish where the person is domiciled (or resides or is present, if not domiciled in Louisiana).

What guardianship or conservatorship is

What it is called

Interdiction (full, limited, temporary, preliminary); curator and undercurator; the person is an interdict

When a court may appoint one

A court may order full interdiction of an adult who, due to an infirmity, is unable consistently to make reasoned decisions about the care of their person and property, or to communicate them, and whose interests cannot be protected by less restrictive means. Limited interdiction covers only the person, the property, or an aspect of either. The petition must describe the less restrictive means considered or tried and why they are not enough, and the petitioner must prove the case by clear and convincing evidence.

Law: La. Civ. Code arts. 389, 390; La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 4541, 4548

Kinds
  • Full interdiction
  • Limited interdiction
  • Temporary interdiction (ex parte, ends after 10 days unless extended once for up to 10 days)
  • Preliminary interdiction (after a hearing, ends after 30 days unless extended for up to 30 days)

Law: La. Civ. Code arts. 389-399; La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 4541-4569

Who can ask, which court and your own choice

Who may ask

Any person may petition for the interdiction of an adult or emancipated minor.

Law: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4541

Court

The court in the parish where the person is domiciled (or resides or is present, if not domiciled in Louisiana).

Law: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4542

Choosing your own

You can designate your future curator in a writing you sign while able to communicate a reasoned preference; the court considers that person first, then your spouse, an adult child, a parent, someone you lived with for over six months, and then any other person.

Law: La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4561

Effect on a power of attorney

A mandate and the mandatary's authority end when a curator qualifies after your interdiction.

Law: La. Civ. Code art. 3024

Cost, fee waiver and forms

Forms
Steps

Steps

Other options and where to report abuse

Supported decision-making

Supported decisionmaking agreements

Effective 2020 (Acts 2020, No. 258)

An adult with a disability can choose supporters to help them understand options, gather information and communicate their own decisions, without the supporter deciding for them. Louisiana law describes it as an option over interdiction. The agreement ends if the adult signs a valid durable power of attorney, unless the power of attorney continues it.

The agreement must be an authentic act (signed before a notary and two witnesses), dated and signed by the adult, and must include a separate signed declaration from each supporter accepting the duties. Revocation also must be by authentic act.

Source: Official text

Less restrictive options
  • Power of attorney (procuration or mandate) or advance directive: A person you choose makes financial and/or medical decisions if you cannot.
  • Trust: Money or property is placed in a trust under Louisiana law.
  • Social Security representative payee: A payee manages Social Security benefits.
  • Community and agency services: Home health, day programs and state or local services may meet needs in the least restrictive way.
  • Supported decisionmaking agreement: Supporters help an adult with a disability make their own decisions.
Report abuse or exploitation

Louisiana Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs - Elderly Protective Services (age 60 and older) · 1-833-577-6532

Call or text the Eldercare Locator to find your local adult protective services: 1-800-677-1116 · eldercare.acl.gov

Law: La. R.S. 13:4261.102-4261.207; La. Civ. Code art. 1833

Free help in Louisiana

Report abuse or exploitation

Louisiana Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs - Elderly Protective Services (age 60 and older) · 1-833-577-6532

Questions about powers of attorney in Louisiana

How does guardianship or conservatorship work in Louisiana?

A court may order full interdiction of an adult who, due to an infirmity, is unable consistently to make reasoned decisions about the care of their person and property, or to communicate them, and whose interests cannot be protected by less restrictive means.

What are the alternatives to guardianship in Louisiana?

Power of attorney (procuration or mandate) or advance directive; Trust; Social Security representative payee; Community and agency services; Supported decisionmaking agreement.

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