How to evict in Louisiana when I live out of state

[Katy Hung]

I have a rental property in New Orleans, LA and one of my tenants have not paid rent for over two months now. They still have all their stuff there but she doesn't live there anymore because she has moved back with her dad in Texas in July. They keep saying they will be moving their stuff out but keep postponing and in the meantime they keep not paying rent. I know her dad, who co-signed her lease, has the means to pay as he is a lawyer and keeps saying he has all these funds to pay it, but just isn't and keeps coming up with excuses. I have provided them with a 5 -day eviction notice before and that was how I got them to pay their back rent over two months ago. 

Anyway, basically I live in California and I have come to the point where I want to proceed with eviction. 

1) Can someone advise me as what steps I need to take to move forward? 

2) And from what I understand I need to file with the court and also attend court once the court date is set. Do I need to file in person or is there a way to do this by mail or online? And since I live in California making hard for me to be there in person, what options do I have when I need to attend court date?

3) Lastly, what are my chances of actually getting what I'm owed if the court rules in my favor? They owe over $3000 in back rent and fees by now. 

Thanks in advance!