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How do I resolve a servitude or boundary dispute in Louisiana?

Federal & State Law Editorial TeamLast reviewed: 2026-05-18

1. Servitude Types (Civil Law)

Louisiana law calls them servitudes, not easements. La. Civ. Code arts. 646-774 govern. Categories include predial servitudes (art. 646: real rights between estates) — natural, legal, conventional. Conventional servitudes may be established by title (art. 722) or by acquisitive prescription (art. 740 for apparent servitudes only).

2. Acquisitive Prescription Elements

La. Civ. Code art. 3486: 30-year acquisitive prescription without title or good faith — possession must be continuous, uninterrupted, peaceable, public, unequivocal.

La. Civ. Code art. 3473: 10-year acquisitive prescription with good faith AND just title (a juridical act sufficient to transfer ownership).

Art. 3476: possession must be as owner.

3. Prescription for Servitude

La. Civ. Code art. 742: apparent servitudes (visible signs) may be acquired by 10-year prescription with title and good faith, or 30 years without. Non-apparent servitudes (e.g., negative servitudes) require title.

4. Petitory Action / Possessory Action

La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 3651-3664. Petitory action (art. 3651) by non-possessor to establish ownership; possessory action (art. 3655) by possessor to be restored or maintained.

5. Boundary Action (Action en Bornage)

La. Civ. Code arts. 784-796 and La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 3691-3693. Either neighbor may compel a fixing of the boundary; court appoints a surveyor.

6. Encroachment Remedies

Louisiana courts may order removal of encroachment or, in equity, award damages where removal disproportionate to harm (Civ. Code art. 670: encroachment in good faith on neighbor's land — court may allow encroaching building to remain on payment of indemnity).

7. Servitude Termination

Civ. Code arts. 751-774: confusion (merger), destruction of dominant or servient estate, nonuse for 10 years (art. 753), renunciation, expiration of term.

8. Marketable Title / Prescription Liberandi Causa

Louisiana lacks a common-law-style MTA but liberative prescription extinguishes many actions. Mineral rights subject to special 10-year nonuse prescription.

9. Litigation / Mediation

District court for boundary and petitory actions. City court for smaller disputes. Court-annexed ADR under La. R.S. 9:4101 et seq.

This is legal information, not legal advice.

When to Talk to a Lawyer
  • Any Louisiana property dispute (civil law system is unlike other 49 states)
  • Mineral servitude nonuse or interruption of prescription
  • Boundary action requiring court-appointed surveyor under art. 3692
Related Statutes & Laws
  • La. Civ. Code art. 3486
  • La. Civ. Code art. 3473
  • La. Civ. Code arts. 646-774
  • La. Civ. Code arts. 784-796
  • La. Code Civ. Proc. arts. 3651-3664

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.