A writ of attachment may be obtained in any action for a money judgment, whether against a resident or a nonresident, regardless of the nature, character, or origin of the claim, whether it is for a certain or uncertain amount, and whether it is liquidated or unliquidated.
Art. 3542.Actions In Which Attachment Can Issue
Book VII. Special Proceedings · Title I. Provisional Remedies · Chapter 1. Attachment and Sequestration · Amendment history unavailable · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 3542 permits attachment in any action seeking a money judgment, against either a resident or a nonresident, regardless of the nature or origin of the claim and whether the amount claimed is certain, uncertain, liquidated, or unliquidated.
Full Text of Art. 3542
Plain-English Summary
Once a plaintiff has a ground under Article 3541, Article 3542 confirms how broadly that ground can be used. Attachment is not confined to a narrow category of debt claims; it is available in any action for a money judgment.
The article spells out just how far that reach extends. It does not matter whether the defendant is a resident or nonresident, what kind of claim underlies the suit, where the claim originated, or whether the amount sought is fixed and certain or uncertain and unliquidated, meaning the exact figure has not yet been established. A tort claim for an amount still to be determined at trial qualifies just as much as a suit on a note for a stated sum.
The breadth here places the real limiting work on Article 3541. Nothing in Article 3542 loosens the grounds a plaintiff has to establish; it only confirms that once a ground exists, the type or amount of the underlying money claim will not stand in the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does attachment only work for certain kinds of debts in Louisiana?
No. Article 3542 makes attachment available in any action for a money judgment, regardless of the claim's nature, character, or origin.
Can attachment be used for an unliquidated claim, like a personal injury suit?
Yes. Article 3542 expressly covers claims whether they are certain or uncertain in amount, and whether liquidated or unliquidated.
Does it matter if the defendant is a Louisiana resident or not?
No, not for purposes of this article. Attachment under Article 3542 is available against residents and nonresidents alike, so long as a ground under Article 3541 exists.
If my claim qualifies under Article 3542, is that enough to get a writ of attachment?
No. Article 3542 only addresses what kinds of actions can support attachment; the plaintiff still has to establish one of the specific grounds listed in Article 3541.
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: actions eligible for attachment LouisianaArticle 3542 Louisianaunliquidated claim writ of attachmentattachment against resident or nonresidentmoney judgment attachment scope Louisiana