How to file for divorce in Louisiana — without a lawyer
Louisiana lets you handle your own divorce, and for uncontested cases it's very doable: file in the District Court, use the state's no-fault ground — living separate and apart (180 days / 365 with children) — follow the steps below, and use the official Louisiana forms. This page gives you the real requirements, with links to the official sources to verify each one.
Louisiana divorce: the key facts
Residency note: At least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana; venue is the parish of domicile.
Verify with the official source: Louisiana court self-help ↗Official forms ↗Find your court ↗
The 6 steps, start to finish
- 1
Confirm you can file in Louisiana
At least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana; venue is the parish of domicile. If you qualify, you'll file in the District Court — usually in the county where you or your spouse lives.
- 2
Get the official forms
Louisiana's own forms are free. You'll typically need the petition (Petition for Divorce (Art. 102 or 103)), a financial disclosure (Income statement / affidavit), and with children, the support worksheet (Louisiana Child Support Obligation Worksheet). CaseForward's guided interview fills in the decisions those forms ask you to make.
- 3
Complete your paperwork carefully
Incomplete or inconsistent paperwork is the #1 reason self-filed divorces get bounced. Work through each form slowly; if you and your spouse agree on everything, prepare a settlement agreement and a custody agreement to attach.
- 4
File with the court
The filing fee varies by county — call your clerk of court to confirm the exact amount. If you can't afford it, you can ask the court for a fee waiver. Many Louisiana courts accept electronic filing through varies by parish.
- 5
Serve your spouse
Your spouse must formally receive the papers — usually by sheriff, private process server, or (in agreed cases) a signed waiver/acceptance of service. Keep the proof of service; the court needs it.
- 6
Wait, then finalize
Louisiana has a 180-day waiting period, so even a fully agreed case can't be finalized before then. In an uncontested case the judge reviews your paperwork (sometimes with a short hearing) and signs the final decree.
Do the paperwork with a guide, not from scratch
CaseForward walks you through every decision, generates your court-ready Louisiana documents, and shows you full previews free. One price — $99 for the complete DIY packet, or $29 for a single document. No subscription.
Child support in Louisiana: Income Shares
Combines both parents' incomes and divides the estimated cost of raising the child in proportion to each parent's share of the combined income. Used by the majority of states (41).
Louisiana divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Louisiana?
No. Every state, including Louisiana, lets you represent yourself in a divorce (called appearing "pro se"). Self-representation works best for uncontested cases where you and your spouse agree on the terms. If your case involves abuse, hidden assets, or a real dispute over the children, talk to a licensed Louisiana attorney — many offer free consultations, and you may qualify for legal aid.
How long do I have to live in Louisiana before I can file for divorce?
At least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana; venue is the parish of domicile. Always verify the current rule with the court's own self-help resources before filing.
How long does an uncontested divorce take in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a 180-day waiting period, so even a fully agreed case can't be finalized before then. Uncontested cases with complete, correctly-filled paperwork are consistently the fastest.
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Louisiana?
The filing fee varies by county — call your clerk of court to confirm the exact amount. If you can't afford it, you can ask the court for a fee waiver. Beyond the court fee, doing the paperwork yourself is the biggest saver: preparing your own documents (free preview, $99 for the complete court-ready packet on CaseForward) instead of paying a few thousand dollars in attorney fees.
What are the grounds for divorce in Louisiana?
Louisiana accepts a no-fault ground — living separate and apart (180 days / 365 with children). Fault-based grounds also exist, but most self-represented filers use the no-fault ground because it's simpler and doesn't require proving misconduct. Note: a separation period of about 180 days applies in some circumstances.
How is child support calculated in Louisiana?
Louisiana uses the Income Shares model. Combines both parents' incomes and divides the estimated cost of raising the child in proportion to each parent's share of the combined income. Used by the majority of states (41). You can run your numbers with CaseForward's free Louisiana child-support estimator, then confirm with the state's official worksheet.
Helpful Louisiana links & guides
Free: The Uncontested Divorce Filing Checklist
The whole path on two printable pages — what to gather, decide, prepare, and file. We'll email it to you, plus a short series of practical tips (unsubscribe anytime).
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