La. Stat. tit. 13 § 4820
The special commissioner appointed under the authority of R.S. 13:4818 through 13:4827 may examine the parties in the cause, may examine on oath viva voce all witnesses produced by the parties before them and may order the examination of every witness to be taken under commission to be issued upon their certificates from the clerk's offices, or by deposition according to the laws of this state, may require the production of all books, papers, writing, vouchers and documents necessary and requisite in the case; may direct the manner and method in which matters requiring evidence shall be proved before them; may ascertain the amounts due all parties to the cause and may establish and fix all liens, their preference and priority, and may fix and establish the manner and method of the distribution of the fund involved in the cause and generally may do all other acts, make or cause other inquiries in the matters before him, which he may deem necessary and proper to enable him to fix and determine the rights of all interested parties.
La. R.S. § 13:4820