re: Law Dawgs of the OT - UPDATE

the landlord can sue you in the location where the apartment is, then attempt to serve you via certified mail at the address you gave them. Refused mail is proof of service. I also send a copy of the citation via regular mail 14 days later. Landlord goes into court to show where you gave this address, then did not sign for certified mail when sent to that address. Also, shows the regular mail is not returned. This is treated as actual service, and if you didn't file an answer, default judgment is granted. Louisiana judgments are good for 10 years and can be revived forever in 10 year blocks. If the address is bogus, the landlord can ask the court to appoint an attorney to represent the absentee, that attorney will mail letters and and put whereabouts advertisments in the newspaper, then report that he cannot find you. Service on the attorney is treated as good service, default is granted. See info on judgments above. They will find you. if your new employer has a louisiana office, the landlord can do garnishment here regardless of where you live. If not, they can send the judgment to your state, hire an attorney to make it executory there and start garnishment there. Every time they do anything, attorney fees and costs are added. Judgments currently earn 8.75% interest, so you have turned into a pretty good investment. Regret ensues.