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Who do I contact for more information about my statement/bill?
For Suits on an Adoption or Surrender
Suit numbers beginning with A or SUR:
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Hazel House – Adoptions 337-437-3558 Ext 114
For suits with suit numbers beginning with DCFS or P-DCFS:
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Bookkeeping Department – 337-437-3558 Ext 168
All other Open suits C, D, CD, JC, or PRO:
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Civil Processing Intake 337-437-3558 Ext 141
For Closed Suits with suit numbers beginning with C, D, CD, JC, or PRO:
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Collections 337-437-3558 Ext 220.
Can I make payment arrangements?
Yes, payments can be made in full, or a payment plan can be arranged. As long as an individual demonstrates effort to make payment on court costs, the debt will not be surrendered to the Office Of Debt Recovery. Contact a Deputy Clerk in Collections to make reasonable payment arrangements. 337-437-3558 Ext 220.
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Can I pay online?
Yes, our payment portal can be found online at: http://pay.calcasieuclerk.gov
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Can I pay over the phone?
Yes, if you have your invoice call the payment hub (bilingual staff available) at 337-485-4639;
Mon - Fri 7am - 7pm and Sat - Sun 9am - 1pm CST
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If you do not have your invoice call Bookkeeping at 337-437-3558 Ext 168
M-F 8:30-4:30 except holidays.
I filed pauper, why am I being billed?
The in forma pauperis statute allows an individual to delay the payment of court costs until the end of the suit. At the end of the suit, the Clerk follows the instructions detailed in the judgment for each particular suit when assessing the costs.
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My attorney was supposed to pay all of the court costs. Why am I being billed?
When an attorney files pleadings, motions, exhibits and so on; we collect an up front deposit from the attorney and work off of the deposit. Sometimes the costs exceed the deposit and additional funds are needed generating an invoice. Additionally, if you did not win your case and the other parties’ costs were cast to you this creates a situation where you owe more costs. If you believe your attorney should have taken care of this matter, please contact your attorney to discuss further.
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I should not be getting this invoice; my judgement says other party was ordered to pay all of the costs.
Often the costs are split between the parties on some judgments and cast to only one party on others. Additionally, if you did not win your case and the other parties’ costs were cast to you this creates a situation where you owe more costs.
SCENARIO: "My case is finished, and I have a domestic suit."
I should not be getting this invoice; my judgement says other party was ordered to pay all of the costs.
Domestic suits often have multiple judgments that speak to costs. Often the costs are split between the parties on some judgments and cast to only one party on others.
My spouse and I got back together, why am I just now receiving an invoice for a 6 year old suit?
Domestic suits often linger with no final judgment being filed at our office. Therefore, we lack the documentation telling us that the parties have reconciled. The Clerk follows 13:842 which gives us the authority to close the suit if it has been inactive for 5 years.
My spouse filed this restraining order why do I have to pay the costs?
TROs and Restraining orders have costs associated with them. The Clerk follows the instructions detailed in the judgment when assessing the costs.
SCENARIO: "I have a Department of Children and Family Service (Support Enforcement) suit."
Why am I being billed for the court costs?
DCFS suits have costs associated with them. The Clerk follows the instructions detailed in the judgment when assessing the costs.
I should not be getting this invoice; my judgement says other party was ordered to pay all of the costs.
Domestic suits often have multiple judgments that speak to costs. Often the costs are split between the parties on some judgments and cast to only one party on others.
SCENARIO: "I received a letter from the Louisiana Office of Debt Recovery."
Why did I get a letter from the Louisiana Office of Debt Recovery?
Unpaid court costs are submitted to the Louisiana Office of Debt Recovery; after every reasonable effort has been made by our office to inform the party by mail that court costs are due, unpaid debts are submitted to the Louisiana Office of Debt Recovery (ODR). Once ODR has received a submission of debt, our office is no longer the collection agent. The party will need to contact ODR directly.
What is the Louisiana Office of Debt Recovery (or "ODR")?
In 2013, the Louisiana Legislature formed the Office of Debt Recovery, a joint agency between the LA Attorney general and the LA Dept of Revenue. ACT 399 through LA R.S. 47:1676 requires the Clerk of Court to forward all unpaid debts to ODR. The ODR office has the authority to suspend an individual's driver's license, hunting license, garnish wages, garnish tax refunds, or seize bank accounts. A significant processing fee is added to the original debt cost by ODR.
I have received a notice that my debt will be sent to Louisiana Office of Debt Recovery. What should I do?
If you have received a notice that your court costs are going to be submitted to the LA Office of Debt Recovery, contact our Civil Collections office for more information and/or remedies to avoid this situation. Once a debt has been submitted officially to ODR, our office is no longer authorized to be of assistance. Civil Collections 337-437-3558 ext 220
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Your specific situation may not be addressed by the scenarios above.
We are happy to review your information with you.
Please call the Collections Dept to speak with a Deputy Clerk.
337-437-3558 Ext 220
Helpful Links
FAQ - Office of Debt Recovery PDF Document
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Link: LA Office of Debt Recovery https://revenue.louisiana.gov/FAQ/QuestionsAndAnswers/55
Link to Payment Hub https://www.calcasieuclerk.gov/paymenthub
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