Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 19, § 136.7. Contesting validity of proposed taking; waiver of defenses

A. Any defendant desiring to contest and oppose the validity of the taking on the grounds that (1) the property taken was not expropriated for a public purpose or (2) the abandoned or blighted conditions of the property have been substantially rehabilitated, and all taxes and governmental liens have been paid, shall file a motion to dismiss the taking within fifteen days after the date on which the citation was served on him or a court-appointed curator on his behalf. The motion to dismiss the taking shall be served pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Article 1314. This motion shall be tried contradictorily as a summary proceeding with preference over all other matters to the judge alone and shall be decided prior to fixing the case for trial on the compensation or damages due to the defendant.

B. The ex parte order vesting title in the governing authority shall become final upon the failure of the defendant to timely file the opposition provided in Subsection A of this Section. If the defendant files an opposition, the ex parte order becomes final upon the rendering of a judgment in favor of the governing authority on the trial of the opposition or as otherwise provided in the Code of Civil Procedure.