Civil Division
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1803 Phone: (337) 491-3733
Lake Charles, LA 70602 Fax: (337) 436-9832
Physical Address: 1000 Ryan Street
2nd Floor, Room 1
Lake Charles, LA 70601
The Civil Division serves and executes civil processes and all other orders as directed by the courts in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes as well as assisting other departments and officers within the Sheriff's Office when called upon.
The civil division consists of twenty-one (21) post-certified, sworn deputies and eight (8) civil sworn deputies. The post-certified deputies execute all civil and criminal documents as ordered by the court, including, but not limited to, citations and petitions, subpoenas, criminal summons, etc. Each of these deputies is assigned to a geographical area (zone) based on population and location within the parish. Calcasieu Parish is divided into seventeen (17) zones.
These deputies are also responsible for the seizure of property, real (ex: homes, buildings, vacant lots/real estate) and movable (ex: vehicles, boats, motors, furniture, heavy duty equipment). The deputies are diligent in their duties and maintain records of execution or attempted service on all legal documents and the information is logged on a daily basis for efficient record keeping and to help provide financial accounting.
The eight civil sworn deputies are clerical and their primary duties are processing all the data within the division. They execute all parish sheriff sales in accordance with Louisiana Law (to include: the processing of writs, advertising, preparation of deeds and judicial bills of sales, obtaining mortgage certificates and appraisals, collecting and disbursing funds, etc.). They are responsible for the input of all in-parish and out-of-parish civil documents information into the computer. They charge out all postings and returns on these documents as well as prepare court ordered garnishments along with the collection and disbursement of garnishment funds. Their record and bookkeeping practices are meticulous which ensure financial accountability within the Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Sales Frequently Asked Questions
Why is civil action taken?
Ownership of property, either real estate or movables, can be jeopardized by a money judgment or by a delinquent payment on a loan. When the interests of a borrow and/or other defendants in a property are foreclosed, the property is sold to satisfy the debt at a sale called a public auction (Sheriff Sale)
What is Real Estate?
It is land with its improvements and the right to own and use it.
What are movables?
Anything that is not real estate is considered a movable or chattel property. Examples are but not limited to automobiles, boats, furniture, jewelry, equipment, business inventories etc…..
Where are the Sheriff’s Sales held?
In the front stairwell of the of Calcasieu Parish Courthouse located at 1000 Ryan Street, Lake Charles LA
When are the Sheriff’s Sales?
Every Wednesday at 10:00 am. Each property and its auction date is advertised in the American Press on Thursday and Friday.
What are the usual costs of real estate foreclosures?
Advertising, appraisals, mortgage certificates, curators’ fees, deeds, and three percent sales commission on the sale price to the Sheriff’s Office. These costs and fees are not paid by a successful bidder. A successful bidder pays only the amount of his or her bid.
Can I enter the property before I bid?
No access is allowed prior to the auction. The sale is not officially completed until the entire purchase price is paid in full. Therefore it is only then that access to the property is legally permissible. All property is sold “AS IS” and the deeds are not warranted.
What type of payment is required at Sheriff’s Sale?
Upon successfully bidding on the property, the successful bidder must provide the Sheriff with the full purchase price paid with Cash or Cashier’s Check. (No personal checks accepted) plus their name, address, phone number, by 2 pm of the day of the sale. Failure to meet this deadline may result in the property being reset for a second auction. Should the second auction result in a lesser sales price, the first bidder may be responsible for the difference in the two amounts.
What is the Writ Amount?
Writ value generally means the principle amount owed to the Plaintiff/Creditor. It may not include additional costs such as interest, attorney’s fees and court costs.
What does it mean when a property is sold with appraisal?
Under the law, both the plaintiff and the defendant have the right to appoint an appraiser to value the property which is being foreclosed upon if that right was not previously waived by the defendant. THE SHERIFF OFFICE DOES NOT GUARANTEE OR WARRANT THE CONDITION OR THE TITLE TO PROPERTY AUCTIONED, NOR THE ACCURACY OF PICTURES SHOWN ON LIST. PHOTO’S ARE PROVIDED AS A COURTESY AND MAY NOT FULLY OR ACCURATELY DEPICT PROPERTY. BIDDERS SHOULD INVESTIGATE PROPERTY, ALL SALES ARE GOVERNED BY LEGAL DESCRIPTION.
What is the minimum bid?
There are two categories for the minimum opening bid:
When the sale is with appraisal the bid must open at two thirds of the average of the plaintiff’s appraisal and the defendant’s appraisal. If there is a difference between the appraisals of 10 percent or more, a third appraisal or Sheriff’s appraisal is used in lieu of the average. If two thirds of the appraisal results in an opening bid insufficient to cover the costs and commission, then the opening bid will be raised to reflect those expenses. This amount must also be an amount sufficient to satisfy any superior claims.
When the sale is “without” appraisal, the bid must cover any superior claims plus the cost and commission.
Can I operate the Movable before I bid?
No vehicle may be started prior to the auction. Each is sold “AS IS” and all sales are final with no exchanges or refunds. Prospective bidders may check the mileage and inspect condition of movable.
What are the usual costs of movable foreclosures?
Advertising, appraisals, chattel mortgage certificate, towing and storage, and any superior liens. The Sheriff’s Commission is six percent of either sales price or the amount collected by the creditor if the sale is stopped.