Notice of the institution of the proceeding shall be published at least once in the parish where the partition proceeding is instituted, in the manner provided by law. This notice shall set forth the title and docket number of the proceeding, the name and address of the court, a description of the property sought to be partitioned, and the primary terms of the private sale and shall notify the absent defendant that the plaintiff is seeking to have the property partitioned by licitation or by private sale under Civil Code Article 811, this Chapter, and Chapter 1 of this Title, and that the absent defendant has fifteen days from the date of the publication of notice, or of the initial publication of notice if there is more than one publication, to answer the plaintiff's petition.
Art. 4624.Publication of Notice
Book VII. Special Proceedings · Title IX. Partition Between Co-Owners · Chapter 2. Partition When Co-Owner an Absentee · Last amended 2021 · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 4624 requires notice of a partition proceeding against an absentee co-owner to be published at least once in the parish where the case is filed, spells out what the notice must contain, and gives the absent defendant fifteen days from publication to answer the petition.
Full Text of Art. 4624
Amendment History
Amended by Acts 2021, No. 27, §2, eff. 6/1/2021. Amended by Acts 2020, No. 281, §2, eff. 6/11/2020.
Plain-English Summary
Publication is how Louisiana law reaches a defendant who cannot be found and personally served. Article 4624 requires notice of the partition proceeding to be published at least once in the parish where the case is filed, following the manner the law otherwise provides for published legal notices.
The content is not left vague. The notice has to state the title and docket number of the proceeding, the name and address of the court, a description of the property sought to be partitioned, and, where relevant, the primary terms of a proposed private sale. It also has to tell the absent defendant that the plaintiff is seeking a partition by licitation or private sale under the Civil Code and this title.
The notice sets a clock running. The absent defendant has fifteen days from the date of publication, or from the date of the first publication if the notice runs more than once, to answer the petition. That window reflects that the appointed attorney under Article 4623 is already defending the case; publication exists to give the absentee, or anyone who might know how to reach them, a real chance to step forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is an absentee co-owner notified of a Louisiana partition suit?
By published notice, under Article 4624, run at least once in the parish where the proceeding is filed, stating the case details, the property involved, and the proposed sale terms.
How long does an absent defendant have to answer after publication?
Fifteen days from the date of publication, or from the first publication date if the notice is published more than once.
What information has to appear in the published notice?
The title and docket number of the case, the name and address of the court, a description of the property, and, where applicable, the primary terms of a proposed private sale.
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
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