United States · State guide
Divorce inLouisiana.
Family law is state law. Here is how it works in Louisiana: the property rules, support, how to file, what it costs, who enforces it, and every FairWell guide and tool set up for Louisiana.
Official source: www.lasc.org
Property division
Community property state: assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally divided equally; separate property (pre-marital, gifts, inheritances) stays with the owner.
Residency and waiting period
Court: District CourtGenerally: One spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana at filing (six months' residence in a parish creates a presumption of domicile, Code of Civil Procedure art. 10); the parties generally must live apart 180 days (365 days with minor children) before the divorce is granted under Civil Code arts. 102 and 103.1. Exceptions apply; check the official source for current rules.
Child support
Income shares model. Civil law tradition; community property with specific rules.
Retirement accounts
Workplace retirement plans are divided by a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) prepared after the decree; IRAs are divided by the decree itself. A former spouse married ten years or more may claim Social Security on the ex's record.
Enforcement
Child support is enforced by Louisiana Child Support Enforcement under the federal Title IV-D program: income withholding, tax refund intercepts, license suspension and passport denial for arrears.
Health insurance
Divorce ends a former spouse's eligibility on an employer plan. COBRA continuation is available for up to 36 months at full cost; the ACA marketplace opens a special enrollment period.
Official guidelines and tools
The government and court sources for child support, spousal support, the family law statute and self-help. Use these to check any estimate, including ours.
Common questions
How is property divided in a Louisiana divorce?
Community property state: assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally divided equally; separate property (pre-marital, gifts, inheritances) stays with the owner.
How do I file for divorce in Louisiana?
Generally: One spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana at filing (six months' residence in a parish creates a presumption of domicile, Code of Civil Procedure art. 10); the parties generally must live apart 180 days (365 days with minor children) before the divorce is granted under Civil Code arts. 102 and 103.1. Exceptions apply; check the official source for current rules. File in the District Court.
When does child support end in Louisiana?
Child support usually ends at 18, but continues to 19 for a full-time secondary student in good standing who depends on a parent. A court can continue support to 22 for a child with a developmental disability still in secondary school, and since 2025 it can also order support for an adult child whose disability began before 18 and who cannot support themselves; college support is not required unless agreed.
What happens to property when unmarried couples separate in Louisiana?
Louisiana does not allow couples to form a common-law marriage, so unmarried partners who separate are not covered by the state's divorce property-division rules. Property generally belongs to whoever holds title, subject to any written agreement or contract between you.
How long do you need to live in Louisiana to file for divorce?
At least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana when the divorce is filed; living in a Louisiana parish for six months creates a presumption of domicile there. Divorce is filed in the district court for the parish (in East Baton Rouge Parish, the Family Court).
Official help: Louisiana Law Help: The Timeline of a Divorce. Rules change, so confirm with a family lawyer in Louisiana before you rely on them.
Read next
Guides for Louisiana
Filing for an uncontested divorce in the US
GuideWhat divorce costs in the US
GuideQDROs and retirement accounts
GuideDivorce and US taxes
GuideHealth insurance after divorce
GuideRelocation with children
GuideThe complete parenting plan guide
GuideYour separation date controls everything
GuideHidden assets: warning signs
GuideJoint debt at separation
GuideWhen your ex won't pay
GuideSeparating when there is abuse
Professionals
Family lawyers, mediators and coaches in Louisiana
Family lawyers
Listings marked Verified have been checked against the state bar directory. Each lawyer sets their own fees.
DirectoryMediators
Family mediators for parenting and financial issues. Listings marked Verified have been checked against their association.
DirectoryDivorce coaches and counselors
Decision support, communication and co-parenting help. What a coach does.
Are you a professional in Louisiana? List your practice.
Louisiana
Get organized in Louisiana
Guided questions for separation agreements, parenting plans and financial disclosure, linked to the official sources on this page and organized into a plain-language summary for a local family lawyer, who prepares the agreement and advises you.
Sources and further reading
This page is legal information, not legal advice. It summarizes how the process works in Louisiana so you can plan; the official sources above are where current fees, forms and deadlines live, and they are the final word if anything here differs. When you're ready, the assessment and FairWell's guided questions link to the rules for Louisiana; a local lawyer prepares any agreement and advises you before you sign.