If any claimant who has filed a release bond does not thereafter make due answer to the plaintiff's petition on or before the return day, the court shall on motion of the plaintiff declare the claimant in default, and thereafter the cause shall proceed ex parte, as provided for in the disposition of civil suits at law where the defendant has failed to appear and answer.
La. R.S. 34:809
Ex parte proceedings upon claimant's failure to answer
Official source: Louisiana State Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Louisiana statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.