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Filing a civil action on your own is called proceeding "Pro Se." A civil action is the only type of case you can file in federal court and is different from a criminal action which can only be initiated by government officials.

Generally, the 5 steps to filing a lawsuit in Louisiana include: Investigate. Gather all relevant evidence. Write the petition for damages. File the petition for damages in the correct court. Serve the petition and summons on the defendant.

The state of Louisiana is unique in that nearly all civil actions have a one-year statute of limitations (most states range from two to five years for more claims). The exceptions are the three-year limits on collections of rent and debts and a 10-year statute of limitations for contracts and judgments.

The documents that comprise a Small Claims lawsuit are called pleadings. The forms required are: (1) Petition; (2) Statement of Claim; and (3) Soldier's and Sailor's Relief Act Affidavit. Filing of these documents, along with payment of the required fees, will institute your Small Claims Suit.

People who represent themselves in court without an attorney are Self-Represented Litigants (SRLs), also sometimes called pro se litigants. Under the law, an SRL is held to the same standards and duties as an attorney admitted to the practice of law in the state of Louisiana.

When you represent yourself, you are referred to as a "self-represented litigant" or "pro-se litigant." Even if you don't have a lawyer, judges and court employees are not allowed to provide you with legal advice and may not be able to speak with you at all about your case outside of the courtroom.