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Louisiana Demand Promissory Note

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Not a blank template - your details are filled in, formatted to Louisiana law, and ready to sign.

Prepare a legally proper Demand Promissory Note for Louisiana that incorporates all required terms under Louisiana promissory note law. Fill in your loan details and download your completed, ready-to-sign Demand Promissory Note as a professional PDF.

Louisiana law governs promissory notes with specific usury limits and enforcement rules that protects both lender and obligor. The usury limit in Louisiana is 12% maximum. For a demand note in Louisiana, the 5-year limitation period runs from the date demand for payment is made. Louisiana law requires 3 specific elements in a valid promissory note.

Louisiana Promissory Note Requirements

Max Interest Rate 12%
Rate Details 12% maximum
Usury Penalty Forfeiture of all interest
Statute of Limitations 5 years
Notarization Recommended
Witnesses Recommended (2)
Governing Agency Louisiana District Courts
Required Elements Written agreement signed by borrower; Demand notice period; Interest rate disclosure

Louisiana Demand Promissory Note Signing Checklist

Print this or save it as a PDF and use it at the signing. Review every item before any party puts pen to paper.

Before you sign

  • Both the lender and borrower read the full note before signing.
  • Confirm the principal amount, interest rate, and repayment terms match what was agreed.
  • Confirm any late fee amount and grace period are correct.
  • The lender keeps the original signed note in a safe place.
  • Each party keeps a signed copy for their own records.

Louisiana rules to know

  • Keep the interest rate at or below Louisiana's usury cap of 12% per year (12% maximum).
  • Notarization is not required in Louisiana but is strongly recommended. A notarized note is self-authenticating in court and harder to dispute.
  • 2 witnesses are recommended in Louisiana even though not legally required.
  • In Louisiana, the lender has 5 years from the date demand is made to file suit to collect.

In the note itself

  • Borrower's full legal name and current address.
  • Lender's full legal name and current address.
  • Principal loan amount written out in both numbers and words.
  • Annual interest rate (expressed as a percentage).
  • A statement that repayment is due upon the lender's written demand.
  • Late fee amount and grace period, if any.
  • Signatures of both parties (and witnesses if required).
  • Minimum notice period before repayment must be made (e.g., 30 days), if the parties agreed to one.

This checklist is a reference aid only. Consult an attorney for advice specific to your situation. Usury and enforcement rules for Louisiana may change; verify current rates before signing.

What to Include in a Louisiana Demand Promissory Note

Every Demand Promissory Note in Louisiana should include the following critical provisions: the full legal names and addresses of both the creditor and borrowing party, the principal loan amount, the interest rate (which must not exceed 12% maximum under Louisiana law), the repayment schedule and due dates, any late payment penalties, the consequences of default, and the governing law clause. A demand note should clearly state that repayment is due upon the lender's written demand, with any minimum notice period the parties have agreed to before demand is made.

Louisiana requires the following elements in a valid promissory note: written agreement signed by borrower, demand notice period, interest rate disclosure. Civil law jurisdiction; notarization and two witnesses strongly recommended.

How to Complete a Louisiana Demand Promissory Note

To complete a Demand Promissory Note in Louisiana, start by gathering the necessary information: the full legal names and addresses of both parties, the loan amount, the agreed-upon interest rate (must be at or below 12% maximum in Louisiana), the repayment terms, and any collateral details if applicable.

Our platform walks you through each section with a guided form tailored to Louisiana requirements. Once you have filled in all details, you can preview the document, choose from five professional document styles, and download your completed Demand Promissory Note as a PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum interest rate for a promissory note in Louisiana?
Louisiana caps interest at 12% maximum. Charging above the legal limit is usury - in Louisiana, the penalty is: forfeiture of all interest. Always confirm the current rate with an attorney, as usury laws can change.
Do I need a notary for a promissory note in Louisiana?
Notarization is not required in Louisiana for a promissory note to be legally valid. Notarizing it anyway is strongly recommended - it deters forgery claims, simplifies court enforcement, and makes the note self-authenticating as evidence. Having 2 witnesses is also recommended.
What happens if a borrower defaults on a promissory note in Louisiana?
Upon default, the lender may demand immediate repayment of the full outstanding balance, charge any default interest rate specified in the note, and file suit in Louisiana court. For a demand note, the 5-year limitation period runs from the date demand for payment is made.
How much notice must a lender give before demanding repayment in Louisiana?
A demand promissory note is due whenever the lender demands repayment - there is no fixed maturity date. The amount of notice required depends on what is written in the note itself; if no notice period is specified, repayment may be demanded immediately. Many demand notes include a minimum notice period (e.g., 30 days) as a courtesy term. In Louisiana, lenders have 5 years from when demand was first due to file suit.
What is the difference between a demand note and an installment note?
A demand promissory note has no fixed repayment schedule - the lender can call the loan at any time. An installment note has a set schedule of regular payments over a defined period. Demand notes are common for informal loans between family or friends, while installment notes are more common for larger, structured loans. Demand notes give lenders more flexibility but give borrowers less certainty.
What must be included in a Louisiana Demand Promissory Note?
A valid Demand Promissory Note in Louisiana must include: Written agreement signed by borrower; Demand notice period; Interest rate disclosure. Our platform automatically includes all required elements formatted to Louisiana standards.
What is Louisiana's usury limit for promissory notes?
Louisiana caps interest at 12% per year for conventional loans under Civil Code Article 2924 (Louisiana's civil law tradition governs contracts differently than common law states). Parties may contract for a higher rate up to 36% for most loans. Criminal usury applies above certain thresholds. Louisiana's 5-year prescriptive period (statute of limitations) applies to promissory notes - note that Louisiana uses "prescription" rather than the common law term "statute of limitations" due to its civil law heritage.

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