§ 41:509 — Reversion to state; preference rights of person filing charges

If, at any time after filing of the affidavit required by R.S. 41:502, and before the issuance of patent therefor, it is proved to the satisfaction of the Register of the State Land Office, after due notice to the homesteader or his legal representatives, that the homesteader failed to establish residence on the land so entered for six months after entry, or has changed his residence therefrom for a period of six months at any time after filing his affidavit and before the expiration of the period of five years residence required by this Part, or that he swore falsely to any material fact in his affidavit or final proof, then, the land shall revert to the state. All appeals from the decisions of the register in such cases shall lie to the district court of the parish in which the lands are situated and shall be tried de novo. The person filing charges against an entryman under this Section, and prosecuting the case to a successful conclusion shall have a preference right of sixty days from final judgment in which to file his application for the land.