Louisiana divorce at a glance
Residency requirement
One spouse domiciled in Louisiana; venue in parish of either spouse's domicile or last matrimonial domicile (La. C.C.P. art. 3941 — venue is JURISDICTIONAL, non-waivable; getting parish right is critical).
No-fault ground
Two no-fault tracks under the Civil Code: Art. 102 (file petition, then live separate and apart 180 days — 365 days if minor children — after service, then rule to show cause to finalize) and Art. 103(1) (already lived separate and apart 180/365 days before…
Filing fee
Varies by parish — advance cost deposits commonly ~$250-$500+ (Orleans/EBR higher); clerks demand deposits rather than flat fees. Fee waiver: In Forma Pauperis affidavit (La. C.C.P. art. 5181 et…
Child support
Louisiana Child Support Obligation Worksheet A (sole/primary custody) and Worksheet B (shared custody) under La. R.S. 9:315 et seq. Model: INCOME SHARES.
E-filing (self-represented)
NO statewide SRL e-filing. E-filing varies by parish clerk of court (many use Clerk Connect via the LA Clerks' Remote Access Authority; some parishes paper-only for domestic cases). Filing is with…
County differences
VERY HIGH — 64 parishes / 42 JDCs, each with local forms, local rules, hearing procedures (some finalize Art. 103 by affidavit under C.C.P. 969, some require appearance), and wildly different advance cost deposits.
Official statewide forms
NO official mandatory statewide packet — Louisiana is the Texas-like problem state of this batch. The LA Supreme Court's District Court Rules (Title IV, amended 2015) appendices contain NON-MANDATORY template forms and…
Official source: Louisiana court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
Coming soon
Louisiana document generation is on the way
LawCat already prepares complete divorce packets free in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and is expanding to Louisiana. In the meantime, the official Louisiana court forms are linked below.
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Why LawCat is free
Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat gives document preparation away because it is built by a law firm that helps people who later decide they want an attorney. You keep the free documents either way.
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Louisiana divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Louisiana?
No. Louisiana allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your Louisiana divorce documents free, and you pay only the court’s filing fee. You can hire an attorney at any point if your case becomes complicated.
How long do I have to live in Louisiana to file for divorce?
One spouse domiciled in Louisiana; venue in parish of either spouse's domicile or last matrimonial domicile (La. C.C.P. art. 3941 — venue is JURISDICTIONAL, non-waivable; getting parish right is critical).
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Louisiana?
Varies by parish — advance cost deposits commonly ~$250-$500+ (Orleans/EBR higher); clerks demand deposits rather than flat fees. Fee waiver: In Forma Pauperis affidavit (La. C.C.P. art. 5181 et seq.), standard forms available from most… With LawCat your documents are free, so the filing fee is typically your only unavoidable cost — and it can often be waived if you can’t afford it.
This page is general information about Louisiana’s court process, not legal advice for your situation, and LawCat is not a law firm. Forms and fees change — verify with the official court source above. Reviewed 2026.