Louisiana § RS 23:731 - Assignment of earnings

Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 23:731 — Assignment of earnings, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ RS 23:731. Assignment of earnings

A.  A voluntary sale, transfer, or assignment of earnings executed by a person is not enforceable against his employer unless the employer consents thereto in writing.  However, if the sale, transfer, or assignment is for the purpose of fulfilling a current or past due support obligation, or both, upon written notice by personal or domiciliary service or by registered or certified mail it shall be enforceable against a present or future employer without the employer's consent thereto.

B.  Should there be a prior judgment, decree, order, or sentence of court, or a sale, transfer, or assignment against the person's earnings, upon written notice of that fact given by the employer, it shall become the duty of the party seeking to enforce the subsequent support obligation to obtain a ranking of the respective obligations from the appropriate court to insure that the maximum deduction from earnings will not be exceeded.

C.  No person shall be discharged from employment nor denied employment because of a voluntary assignment or a single garnishment of earnings.  Any person so discharged shall have a right to reinstatement and back pay, but shall not have a right to damages.  Any person denied employment solely because of a voluntary assignment or garnishment of wages shall have a right to reasonable damages.  A person may, however, be discharged from employment if his earnings are subjected to three or more garnishments for unrelated debts in a two year period, but no garnishment resulting from an accident or illness causing a person to miss ten or more consecutive days at work shall be considered for purpose of this provision.

Added by Acts 1952, No. 135, §1.  Amended by Acts 1981, No. 812, §6, eff. Aug. 2, 1981; Acts 1981, Ex.Sess., No. 36, §9, eff. Nov. 19, 1981; Acts 1982, No. 536, §1; Acts 1983, No. 204, §1.

Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 23:731

What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 23:731 cover?

Section RS 23:731 ("Assignment of earnings") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Louisiana § RS 23:731?

A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 23:731" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Louisiana law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.

How does Louisiana § RS 23:731 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.