Terms Used In Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure 423

  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.

An obligation implies a right to enforce it which may or may not accrue immediately upon the creation of the obligation.  When the obligation allows a term for its performance, the right to enforce it does not accrue until the term has elapsed.  If the obligation depends upon a suspensive condition, the right to enforce it does not accrue until the occurrence or performance of the condition.

When an action is brought on an obligation before the right to enforce it has accrued, the action shall be dismissed as premature, but it may be brought again after this right has accrued.