Book IV. Execution of Judgments · Title II. Money Judgments · Chapter 2. Judicial Sale Under Fieri Facias · Last amended 2003 · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 2332 requires seized property to be appraised before a judicial sale unless the debtor waived appraisal in the mortgage or security document securing a judgment limited to that collateral, and it exempts from appraisal any collateral covered by a Chapter 9 security interest under the Louisiana Commercial Laws.
Full Text of Art. 2332
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A. The property seized must be appraised according to law prior to the sale. However, when the property seized is subject to a mortgage, security agreement, or other document creating a privilege in which the debtor has waived the right to appraisal and the judgment recites that the right of the judgment creditor to enforce the judgment is limited to the collateral or security for the amount of such judgment, there shall be no requirement that the property seized be appraised prior to the sale. If a mortgage on immovable property contains a waiver of appraisal and is sought to be enforced under a writ of fieri facias and the plaintiff prays for a sale without appraisal, the sale shall be conducted without appraisal.
B. If the personal obligation is also secured by other mortgages or security interests not recognized in the judgment, the judicial sale of any property securing the personal obligation in accordance with Paragraph A shall not prevent the enforcement in rem of such other mortgages or security interests.
C. There is no requirement that collateral subject to a security interest under Chapter 9 of the Louisiana Commercial Laws be appraised prior to the sale.
An appraisal is an independent valuation of the seized property performed before the sale, and it does more than tell bidders what the property might be worth. It sets the baseline for the minimum-price rule in Article 2336, which measures the first bid against a fraction of the appraised value. Without an appraisal on file, that protection has nothing to measure against, which is why Article 2332 makes appraisal the default rule for a judicial sale.
The default gives way when the debtor has already agreed to skip it. If the property is subject to a mortgage, security agreement, or similar document in which the debtor waived the right to appraisal, and the judgment itself states that the creditor's right to enforce it is limited to that collateral, the sale can proceed without an appraisal. The same holds for a mortgage on immovable property that contains an appraisal waiver, so long as the creditor seeking to enforce it asks the court for a sale without appraisal.
Paragraph B makes clear that skipping appraisal on the debt named in the judgment does not compromise other mortgages or security interests that secure the same underlying obligation but were not part of that judgment. The creditor can still pursue those other encumbrances against the property directly. Paragraph C removes appraisal entirely for collateral covered by a security interest under Chapter 9 of the Louisiana Commercial Laws, Louisiana's version of the Uniform Commercial Code, since that regime has its own framework for disposing of collateral.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an appraisal in a Louisiana judicial sale, and why does it matter?
It is an independent valuation of the seized property performed before the sale. It sets the appraised value that Article 2336 uses to calculate the minimum price a first bid must meet.
Can appraisal be waived before a Louisiana sheriff's sale?
Yes, if the debtor waived appraisal in the mortgage or security document and the judgment recites that enforcement is limited to that collateral, or if a mortgage waiving appraisal is being enforced and the creditor asks the court for a sale without appraisal.
Does waiving appraisal on the collateral named in one judgment affect other mortgages on the same property?
No. Article 2332(B) preserves the creditor's ability to enforce other mortgages or security interests securing the same debt that were not recognized in that judgment.
Is movable property covered by a UCC-style security interest appraised before sale?
No. Article 2332(C) exempts collateral subject to a Chapter 9 security interest under the Louisiana Commercial Laws from the appraisal requirement altogether.
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure (legis.la.gov). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:appraisal before sheriff's sale Louisianawaiver of appraisal Louisiana mortgageArticle 2332 Louisianasale without appraisal LouisianaChapter 9 security interest appraisal exemption