Louisiana Divorce Laws

Divorce Laws in Louisiana

In Louisiana, married couples have two options when it comes to filing for divorce: fault and no fault. A no-fault divorce is available if the spouses meet certain criteria. Specifically, they must either have no minor children together or have been living apart for at least 180 days in the case of no children and 365 days if there are children under the age of 18. To be sure that you understand the legal requirements for a no-fault divorce, it is best to seek advice from an experienced attorney who can review your individual circumstances and provide knowledgeable guidance.

Filing a Petition for Divorce

The initiatory document is called Petition for Divorce. The Petition must allege at least one specific ground for the termination of the marriage. The Petition is filed in the District Court of the Parish by the filing spouse who is called the Petitioner/Plaintiff while the responding spouse is called the Respondent/Defendant.

Filing with the Court in Louisiana

You must file your Louisiana divorce papers in the court located in the County where you presently reside. We will provide the court information in the documents that we send to you, but some of the courts in Louisiana are listed below:

• Orleans Civil District Court:
  Civil Courts Bldg, 421 Loyola Ave., Rm 402, New Orleans, La. 70112 Phone: (504) 592-9100
• Bossier Parish:
  26th Judicial District Courthouse: Burt Ave., Benton, La. 71006 Phone: (318) 965-2336 Fax: (318) 965-3765
• Bossier City Court:
  620 Benton Rd., Bossier City, La. 71111 Phone: (318) 741-8587 Fax:
• Ouachita Parish Courthouse:
  4th Judicial District, 300 St. John St., Monroe, La. 71201 Phone: (318) 323-8441
• West Monroe City Court:
  2303 North 7th St., West Monroe, La. 71291 Phone: (318) 396-2767
• East Baton Rouge Parish Family Court:
  222 St. Louis St, Baton Rouge, La. 70802 Phone: (225) 389-4680 Fax: (225) 389-4952
• Lafayette 15th Judicial District Courthouse:
  800 South Buchanan St., Lafayette, La. 70501 Phone: (337) 233-0150
• Calcasieu Parish Family and Juvenile Court:
  1001 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70602 Phone: (337) 437-3363
• Caddo Parish Courthouse:
  1st Judicial District Court, 501 Texas St., Shreveport, La. 71101 Phone: (318) 226-6780
• Webster Parish Courthouse:
  26th Judicial District, 410 Main St., Minden, La. 71055 Phone: (318) 371-0366

If your County court is not listed, the information for your court will be included in the divorce papers we send you.

Residency Requirement

Divorce proceedings in Louisiana may be initiated by a spouse who has met the divorce residency requirement. This residency requirement normally concerns a spouse who has recently moved or has plans of moving to Louisiana.

The spouse who will file the Petition for Divorce must be a resident for at least 12 months prior to filing.

Louisiana Divorce Grounds

The United States courts require that all those applying for divorce state the grounds for the divorce. This is the reason why a divorce should be granted.

Each state has different lawful grounds. Louisiana states that one individual may petition for divorce but will need to prove the grounds for divorce before the court. Two individuals may decide on their divorcing grounds and petition a court in Louisiana.

Louisiana recognized seven different grounds for divorce. Louisiana divorce grounds are broken into two categories.

No-Fault Based Ground

The first is called No-Fault grounds where the individuals have been living in separate homes for at least one hundred eighty days before a petition is filed. These grounds state that no individual is responsible for the breaking of the marriage. No-fault grounds are petitioned willingly and with the support, usually, of both spouses. In these cases, marriage counseling may precede a divorce petition.

There is only one basis which comprises the “No-Fault Based Ground” and that is when the spouses have already lived separate and apart from each other for at least 180 days prior to the filing of the Petition, when there are no children involved, and one year if there are children involved. This ground does not require proof of marital breakdown, fault or any other bases for divorce used in other states or jurisdictions.

Fault grounds

The second set of divorce grounds is called Fault grounds where one individual is named responsible for the divorce. These grounds include a felony conviction, living in different homes for a minimum of two years, adultery, at least one year of abandonment, and living separately through a court decision for a minimum of one year. In this circumstance, the individuals cannot share a board or bed after the court’s decision.

The following are the acts that comprise “Fault Based Grounds”: 1)  Adultery; 2)  Felony conviction; 3)  Abandonment for a period of at least 1 year; 4)  Physical or sexual abuse; 5)  Living separate and apart for at least 2 years, and 6) The spouses have been living separate and apart continuously without reconciliation for a period of one year from the date the judgment of separation from bed and board was signed.

Louisiana Residential Requirements

Each state has different residency requirements for when and where a divorce can be filed. Louisiana divorces are handled by the Judicial District Court.

In order to file in the state of Louisiana, one or both of the individuals must reside in Louisiana for a minimum of twelve months. When two individuals live within state lines but in different counties, either county can handle the divorce.

An individual who is a non-resident of the state of Louisiana may file for a divorce in Louisiana if his or her spouse is a Louisiana resident.

Only one spouse is required to file for divorce, but both may do so if desiring. Under covenant marriage circumstances both spouses are required to petition for divorce.

Division of Property upon Divorce

The state of Louisiana allows the individuals involved in the marriage to divide the property themselves, whether this be equally or not. If the individuals cannot reach an understanding, the court will settle the property and may not make the distribution equal.

When dividing property the court will take circumstances into account. These include which parent has custody of subsequent children, the educational backgrounds of the individuals, the contributions to the household, economic standings, occupation, potential for occupation, and the length of the marriage.

Such considerations are often considered in the case of the family home. Because Louisiana is a community property state, all community assets are to be divided equally rather than equitably.

Any property that was possessed before the marriage’s commencement will reside with its original owner. Gifts that were received from one spouse to the other can be redistributed under some circumstances. All inheritances acquired during or before the marriage will remain with the individual who brought them into the marriage.

In Louisiana, which is a “community property” state, the properties, and property rights, debts, and obligations of spouses are usually settled in a Marital Settlement Agreement or incorporated in the Final Judgment of Divorce decree issued by the District Court. In any case that the spouses do not reach an agreement as to the division of its properties and debts, the community property shall be divided by the court equally.

Community property comprises all the properties and debts acquired from the date of the celebration of marriage until the final decree of divorce. Gifts, inheritances, and properties owned by the spouses prior to the celebration of marriage shall pertain exclusively to the respective spouses and shall not form part of the community property.

In dividing the properties and debts of the spouses, due consideration is given to the peculiar circumstances of each marriage such as the capacity and needs of the respective spouses.

Nonetheless, both spouses may rightfully ask for the award of the marital home in their favor.

The court will consider certain aspects in determining who between the spouses should be awarded the marital home such as the value of the property and the economic needs and circumstances of the spouses. Likewise, the court may consider in each case the contributions that a spouse has made to the acquisition and improvement of the community property together with its future earning potential.

However, the court is usually inclined to award the marital home to the spouse who will have custody over the children.

Child Custody

The court shall always rule upon the issue of joint or sole custody based on what serves the best interests of the child. Thus, unless otherwise proven or unless by agreement of the parents, it is presumed that joint custody is in the best interests of the child. For this reason, the court may order the parents to attend a court-approved parenting seminar.

Consequently, the following order of preference is established:

1. to both parents;
2. to either parent (without regard to race or sex of the parents);
3. to the person or persons with whom the child has been living; or
4. to any other person that the court feels suitable and able to provide an adequate and stable environment for the child.

The factors listed below shall be considered in determining what serves the best interests of the child:

1. physical, emotional, mental, religious, and social needs of the child;
2. capability and desire of each parent to meet the child’s needs;
3. preference of the child, if the child is of sufficient age and capacity;
4. the love and affection existing between the child and each parent;
5. the length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity;
6. the desire and ability of each parent to allow an open and loving frequent relationship between the child and the other parent;
7. the wishes of the parents;
8. the child’s adjustment to his or her home, school, and community;
9. the mental and physical health of all individuals involved;
10. the permanence as a family unit of the existing or proposed custodial home;
11. the distance between the potential residences;
12. the moral fitness of the parents; and
13.  any other relevant factor.

If the parents agree on a joint custody, they must submit a plan which designates:

1. the child’s residence;
2. the rights of access and communication between the parents and child; and
3. child support amounts.

Still, a parent who is denied custody is entitled to visitation rights except when that parent has subjected the child to physical or sexual abuse.

Child Support

The obligation to support any child rests upon both parents. In determining the amount and kind of support, the following are the factors to be considered are the child’s needs and the parent’s means and resources.

Spousal Support

Alimony or commonly known as support may also be given temporarily to one of the spouses. Permanent periodic alimony may be granted to the innocent spouse who is without fault which shall not exceed one-third (1/3) of the guilty spouse’s income.

For purposes of determining the propriety and amount of spousal support, the following are considered:

1. the effect of child custody on the spouse’s earning capacity;
2. the time necessary to acquire sufficient education and training to enable the spouse to find appropriate employment;
3. the income, means, and assets of the spouses and the liquidity of the assets;
4. the comparative financial obligations of the spouses;
5. the age and health of the spouses;
6. the needs of the parties;
7. the earning capacity of the parties;
8. the duration of the marriage;
9. the tax consequences of the parties; and
10. any other relevant circumstances. Permanent alimony may be revoked upon remarriage or cohabitation.