Family Law Resources

Filing for Divorce in Louisiana

Residency Requirements

File in the parish where either spouse is domiciled or where the couple last lived together.

Types of Divorce

• No-Fault (Article 102): File, then live separately for waiting period


• No-Fault (Article 103): Already separated for required period before filing

Waiting Period

• No minor children: 180 days (Article 102) or 6 months separation (Article 103)


• With minor children: 365 days (Article 102) or 1 year separation (Article 103)

Covenant Marriage

If you have a covenant marriage, longer waiting periods and/or fault grounds required.

Family Courts in Louisiana

Family law cases are heard in District Courts throughout Louisiana's 64 parishes.

Major Metro Courts

• Orleans Parish: Civil District Court, 421 Loyola Ave, New Orleans


• East Baton Rouge: 19th Judicial District Court


• Jefferson Parish: 24th Judicial District Court

Orleans Parish Family Court

Orleans Parish has a dedicated Family Court handling all domestic matters.

Filing Fees in Louisiana

Fee Range by Parish

• Range: $200-$400+ depending on parish


• Orleans Parish: Approximately $250-$350


• Service fees: Additional $50-$100

Fee Waiver

In Forma Pauperis available for those who cannot afford fees.

Free Legal Resources in Louisiana

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services

• Website: slls.org


• Phone: 504-529-1000

Acadiana Legal Service Corporation

• Website: la-law.org


• Phone: 1-800-256-1175

Online Resources

• Louisiana Free Legal Answers: la.freelegalanswers.org


• LouisianaLawHelp: louisianalawhelp.org

Critical Deadlines in Louisiana

Waiting Period

• Without children: 180 days (Article 102) or 6 months (Article 103)


• With children: 365 days (Article 102) or 1 year (Article 103)

Covenant Marriage

Longer waiting periods apply: typically 2 years separation or 18 months with children.

Response Deadline

15 days to respond after being served (30 days if out of state).

Louisiana's Unique Family Law Features

Community Property State

Louisiana is one of 9 community property states. Assets acquired during marriage are presumed 50/50.

Covenant Marriage

Louisiana offers Covenant Marriage - a stricter form requiring premarital counseling and limited grounds for divorce.

Civil Law System

Louisiana's legal system is based on French Napoleonic Code, not English common law like other states.

Article 102 vs. 103

Two distinct paths to no-fault divorce: file then wait (102) or wait then file (103).

Domiciliary Parent

Even in joint custody, one parent is designated for major decisions.