Divorce Law in New Orleans, LA

Divorce Law refers to the legal termination of a marriage and often involves working through several complicated issues.

Are you facing a costly divorce in New Orleans, Louisiana? Does your estranged spouse have an attorney? Usually, couples going through a divorce are unable to compromise on most items and reach an agreement on their own. Thus, many couples go through mediation or the court system to resolve their case.

Issues Involved in New Orleans, Louisiana Divorce Law

There are many complicated issues that you need to settle during the divorce process. Many of these elicit strong emotions from one party or the other, resulting in volatility.

Dividing Property 

One of the most challenging issues in the divorce law process is dividing property, debts and assets. In many states, like Louisiana, anything you and your spouse purchased over your marriage is subject to division. This includes things such as real estate, bank accounts, cars, stocks, etc. Some states split marital property evenly, while others go along an equitable split. In the latter, the judge weighs the contribution each spouse made to the marriage and uses that information to decide the disposition property, which may not equate to a perfect 50/50 division of your property, debt,  and other assets..

Child Support 

Both parents are responsible for paying for the care of their children. There is a child support guideline that helps determine how much each parent should contribute based on their income and the amount of time they spend with the children. Child support pays for things such as healthcare, food, clothing and other basic needs.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services posts an online schedule to help New Orleans residents keep track of their monthly child support payments. Child support in Louisiana is calculated by taking the parents gross income, and subtracting certain child care costs. This helps determine what percentage each parent must contribute to raising and maintaining the child.

Alimony 

Alimony, or spousal support, can vary dramatically depending on the marriage, and New Orleans, LA divorce law court looks at multiple factors when determining the amount and length of alimony, including:

  • A spouse’s need and the other spouse’s ability to pay
  • The age and health of each spouse
  • The length of the marriage
  • Each spouse’s earning capacity and level of education
  • The division of property
  • Parental responsibility of the children
  • Sole investments and assets of either spouse

The Louisiana State Bar attests that the courts can award 2 types of alimony. These are interim and final periodic alimony.

Child Custody and Visitation

Child custody is perhaps the most emotional issue during a divorce that involves children. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the court bases all decisions on what is in the best interest of the child. Keeping this in mind may help navigate the rough waters of custody.

The Louisiana State Legislature lists factors contributing to the best interests of a child as potential for abuse, a child’s emotional ties to each parent, and a parent’s emotional ties to the child. Along with other considerations, the court holds the best interest of the child to be the determining factor in every facet of a divorce case.

Generally, New Orleans, Louisiana courts award joint legal custody giving both parents the legal right to make decisions for the children, such as education, medical care and religious practices. Legal custody has nothing to do with physical custody or visitation. Joint custody does not mean both parents split time with the child evenly, just as Sole legal custody does not bar the non-custodial parent from visiting the child.

The Process of Going Through Divorce Law in New Orleans, Louisiana

Are you leaning towards getting a divorce from your partner? If so, it is important to understand the necessary steps of the divorce law process.

Step 1: File the Divorce Law Petition

The divorce law process begins when one spouse files a legal petition to terminate the marriage. The petition must include:

  • A legal reason for divorce (grounds for divorce)
  • A statement that shows at least one spouse meets the state’s residency requirements for divorce
  • Other statutory information your state requires

Most states offer the option for filing a no-fault divorce, which does not require a legal reason for the divorce.

Women’s Law states that a judge in Louisiana will grant a divorce on no fault grounds if the couple has children over 18 years old and has lived apart for 180 continuous days. The same applies if the couple has children under 18, however they must be separated for at least 365 days.

Step 2: Request Temporary Orders

The divorce law process in New Orleans can take several months, but temporary orders can be requested and approved for a multitude of reasons, including:

  • Child custody
  • Child support
  • Spousal support
  • Property restraining orders
  • Status quo orders

Request temporary orders as quickly as possible so you are not absent the resources or protection that you need.

Step 3: Serve Your Spouse and Wait for Their Response

If you are the one who files a petition for divorce, you must have your spouse served with their divorce law papers and then file a proof of service with the courts. If your spouse accepts service, then they need to fill out an affidavit to that effect. However, in many cases, the petitioner must hire a process server or sheriff to formally serve the petition on the other spouse. It is this third-party who then records the proof of service.

Step 4: Try To Come to an Agreement

The best outcome for anyone going through this process is to have an uncontested divorce, meaning both spouses agree on all issues.

This can be reached between both partners or with the help of a mediator. Not only will this save each spouse money, but there will typically be a lot less animosity.

Step 5: Go To Court

If you and your spouse are unable to reach an agreement, then the case continues before a New Orleans, LA judge. While there is some benefit to having a judge hand down orders, it may also be a detriment as there is little to no control of the agreement by the parties. 

Residents of New Orleans going through a divorce generally find themselves before the Orleans Parish Civil District Court. You may want to consider hiring an experienced divorce attorney in New Orleans to help you through this process.

Step 6: Receive the Judgement of Divorce

The divorce law trial will end with the official judgment of divorce, ending the marriage. This final dissolution of marriage sets out the details about property and debt division, child custody and all relevant issues between the couple.

Work With an Experienced New Orleans, Louisiana Divorce Law Attorney

If you are going through a divorce and are unable to reach an agreement with your partner, you should hire an experienced New Orleans divorce law attorney. A lawyer will fight for you and make sure you get what is yours. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Louisiana state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!

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