Art. 962.Form of Written Motion
Book II. Ordinary Proceedings · Title I. Pleading · Chapter 4. Written Motions · Amendment history unavailable · Last verified July 30, 2026
Full Text of Art. 962
Plain-English Summary
A written motion is a pleading, so Article 962 holds it to the same structural rules as a petition or an exception. It must comply with Article 853's caption requirements and Article 863's signature rule. Beyond that baseline, the motion has to state the grounds it rests on and specify exactly what relief or order the movant wants the court to grant.
Two further rules apply only in specific situations. If the motion runs long, it also has to follow Article 854's requirement of simple, numbered paragraphs, the same structure a lengthy petition would need. And if the motion touches a special pleading matter — fraud, a condition of the mind, an official document, and so on — it has to meet whichever of Articles 855 through 861 applies to that subject.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information does a Louisiana written motion need to include?
A caption, a signature, the grounds for the motion, and a clear statement of the relief or order being sought.
Do all motions need numbered paragraphs?
Only lengthy ones. Article 962 requires numbered-paragraph form under Article 854 specifically when the motion is lengthy.
What if a motion involves an allegation of fraud?
It has to meet the particularity requirement in Article 856, one of the special-matter pleading rules Article 962 pulls in whenever it applies.