"The Most Trusted

Name in Online Divorce"

Exclusive

Online Divorce Partner

Best

Online Divorce Service

ADVISOR

We offer an online guided path through divorce that helps couples avoid unnecessary conflict and costs.

"The Most Trusted

Name in Online Divorce"

Exclusive

Online Divorce Partner

Best

Online Divorce Service

ADVISOR

We offer an online guided path through divorce that helps couples avoid unnecessary conflict and costs.

Written By:

Divorce.com Staff

louisiana

Louisiana Divorce by County: Complete Guide for All 64 Parishes

Filing for divorce in Louisiana requires you to file in the parish where you or your spouse meets the residency requirement. Each of Louisiana's 64 parishes has its own District Court with different filing fees, local rules, and procedures. Understanding your parish's specific requirements can save you time, money, and frustration.

About This Guide

This comprehensive Louisiana parish divorce guide provides detailed information about filing for divorce in each of Louisiana's 64 parishes. We maintain current filing fees, court contact information, and local rules to help Louisiana residents understand their local divorce process.

Last Updated: February 2026

Why County-Specific Information Saves You Money

Avoid Rejected Filings
Each parish in Louisiana has specific formatting requirements, caption styles, and required forms. Using parish-correct documents the first time avoids rejection and refiling fees.

Budget Accurately
Knowing your exact filing fee, service costs, and required class fees lets you budget precisely. No surprises.

Choose the Right Approach
Some parishes have excellent self-help centers that make DIY divorce easier. Others have complex e-filing systems where professional help is worth it. County-specific knowledge helps you decide.

Find Free Resources
Many parishes offer free mediation for low-income residents, law library access, or pro bono attorney consultations. You won't know about these unless you check your parish's specific resources.

Professional Help with Your Louisiana Divorce

Whether you choose to work with an attorney or use an online divorce service, professional assistance can help you navigate your parish's specific requirements and avoid costly mistakes. Online divorce services provide affordable alternatives to traditional attorneys for uncontested cases, with county-specific forms and filing assistance.

Louisiana Divorce Requirements (Statewide)

While parish procedures differ, these requirements apply across all 64 Louisiana parishes:

Residency: 12 months or spouse resident before filing.

Grounds: Louisiana allows no-fault divorce, meaning you don't need to prove wrongdoing to end your marriage.

Waiting Period: 180 days without children, 365 days with children after filing.

Property Division: Louisiana follows community property rules, meaning marital property is divided equally between spouses.

Child Custody: Louisiana courts focus on the child's best interests when determining custody and parenting time.

Common Questions About Louisiana County Divorce Filings

Which parish should I file in?

You must file in the parish where either you or your spouse meets the residency requirement. In Louisiana, you need 12 months or spouse resident residency before filing. If you both live in Louisiana but in different parishes, you can typically choose to file in either parish.

Can I file in a different parish to save on filing fees?

No. You must meet the residency requirement for the parish where you file. You cannot simply choose the cheapest parish. However, if you're planning to move and haven't filed yet, establishing residency in a parish with lower fees could save you money.

Do I need to appear in court in person?

Many Louisiana parishes now allow some hearings to be conducted remotely via Zoom or phone, especially for uncontested divorces. However, policies vary by parish and judge. Check your specific parish's rules or ask the clerk's office.

What if my spouse lives in another state?

You can still file for divorce in Louisiana as long as you meet the residency requirement of 12 months or spouse resident. You'll need to serve your spouse according to Louisiana's rules for out-of-state service.

RETAINER FEE


PETITION





COURT FILING FEE

SUMMONS


AFFIDAVIT


MOTIONS


ARGUMENTS


TEMPORARY ORDERS

HEARINGS


SUBPOENAS


DEPOSITIONS


SETTLEMENT

CONFERENCES

JUDGEMENT





TRIAL


APPEALS

RETAINER FEE


PETITION





COURT FILING FEE

SUMMONS


AFFIDAVIT


MOTIONS


ARGUMENTS


TEMPORARY ORDERS

HEARINGS


SUBPOENAS


DEPOSITIONS


SETTLEMENT

CONFERENCES

JUDGEMENT





TRIAL


APPEALS

What You'll Find on Each County Page

Every parish page includes:

Current filing fees for divorce petitions
District Court contact information (address, phone, website)
Clerk of Courts office hours and location
Electronic filing requirements (if applicable)
Local court rules specific to that parish
Mediation and parenting class requirements
Self-help resources available at the courthouse
Legal Aid eligibility and contact information
Average attorney costs in that parish
Links to parish-specific forms and resources

Why County-Specific Information Matters

While Louisiana divorce law is consistent statewide, the practical details of filing vary significantly by parish:

Filing Fees Vary Widely
Court filing fees can vary by $100-$200 or more between parishes in Louisiana. Knowing your parish's exact fee helps you budget accurately.

Local Court Rules Differ
Some parishes require mediation for custody cases. Others have mandatory parenting classes before your final hearing. Many parishes now require electronic filing while others still accept paper documents.

Processing Times Vary
Urban parishes with larger populations have more judges and staff, but also higher caseloads. Rural parishes may process simple cases faster but have fewer hearing dates available.

Local Resources Available
Most Louisiana parishes offer self-help centers, free legal aid eligibility, and court-sponsored mediation programs. Knowing what's available in your parish can significantly reduce your costs.

We've helped with

over 1 million divorces

We provide everything you need to get divorced — from conflict resolution to filing support and access to divorce experts — in one comprehensive, convenient online platform.

Proudly featured in these publications

We've helped with

over 1 million divorces

We provide everything you need to get divorced — from conflict resolution to filing support and access to divorce experts — in one comprehensive, convenient online platform.

Proudly featured in these publications

Real Answers. Real Support.

We're here to guide you through every step of divorce — whether you're just starting to explore your options or ready to take the next step. Our blog offers expert insights, practical tips, and real-life stories to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Real Answers. Real Support.

We're here to guide you through every step of divorce — whether you're just starting to explore your options or ready to take the next step. Our blog offers expert insights, practical tips, and real-life stories to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Upfront pricing at a fraction of the cost of traditional divorce

Divorce doesn’t have to cost as much as a car.

Traditional Divorce

$25-$30k

Divorce.com

$499

-

$1,999

Upfront pricing at a fraction of the cost of traditional divorce

Divorce doesn’t have to cost as much as a car.

Traditional Divorce

$25-$30k

Divorce.com

$499

-

$1,999

Our Services

Our Services

Why Divorce.com

Services

Resources

Online Divorce

Divorce Guides

We offer a simple divorce online for uncontested or lightly contested divorces.

"The Most Trusted

Name in Online Divorce"

Exclusive

Online Divorce Partner

Best

Online Divorce Service

ADVISOR

We offer a guided path through divorce that helps avoid unnecessary conflict and costs.

Written By:

Divorce.com Staff

Louisiana Divorce by County: Complete Guide for All 64 Parishes

Filing for divorce in Louisiana requires you to file in the parish where you or your spouse meets the residency requirement. Each of Louisiana's 64 parishes has its own District Court with different filing fees, local rules, and procedures. Understanding your parish's specific requirements can save you time, money, and frustration.

Why County-Specific Information Matters

While Louisiana divorce law is consistent statewide, the practical details of filing vary significantly by parish:

Filing Fees Vary Widely
Court filing fees can vary by $100-$200 or more between parishes in Louisiana. Knowing your parish's exact fee helps you budget accurately.

Local Court Rules Differ
Some parishes require mediation for custody cases. Others have mandatory parenting classes before your final hearing. Many parishes now require electronic filing while others still accept paper documents.

Processing Times Vary
Urban parishes with larger populations have more judges and staff, but also higher caseloads. Rural parishes may process simple cases faster but have fewer hearing dates available.

Local Resources Available
Most Louisiana parishes offer self-help centers, free legal aid eligibility, and court-sponsored mediation programs. Knowing what's available in your parish can significantly reduce your costs.

What You'll Find on Each County Page

Every parish page includes:

Current filing fees for divorce petitions
District Court contact information (address, phone, website)
Clerk of Courts office hours and location
Electronic filing requirements (if applicable)
Local court rules specific to that parish
Mediation and parenting class requirements
Self-help resources available at the courthouse
Legal Aid eligibility and contact information
Average attorney costs in that parish
Links to parish-specific forms and resources

RETAINER FEE


PETITION





COURT FILING FEE

SUMMONS


AFFIDAVIT


MOTIONS


ARGUMENTS


TEMPORARY ORDERS

HEARINGS


SUBPOENAS


DEPOSITIONS


SETTLEMENT

CONFERENCES

JUDGEMENT





TRIAL


APPEALS

RETAINER FEE


PETITION





COURT FILING FEE

SUMMONS


AFFIDAVIT


MOTIONS


ARGUMENTS


TEMPORARY ORDERS

HEARINGS


SUBPOENAS


DEPOSITIONS


SETTLEMENT

CONFERENCES

JUDGEMENT





TRIAL


APPEALS

Common Questions About Louisiana County Divorce Filings

Which parish should I file in?

You must file in the parish where either you or your spouse meets the residency requirement. In Louisiana, you need 12 months or spouse resident residency before filing. If you both live in Louisiana but in different parishes, you can typically choose to file in either parish.

Can I file in a different parish to save on filing fees?

No. You must meet the residency requirement for the parish where you file. You cannot simply choose the cheapest parish. However, if you're planning to move and haven't filed yet, establishing residency in a parish with lower fees could save you money.

Do I need to appear in court in person?

Many Louisiana parishes now allow some hearings to be conducted remotely via Zoom or phone, especially for uncontested divorces. However, policies vary by parish and judge. Check your specific parish's rules or ask the clerk's office.

What if my spouse lives in another state?

You can still file for divorce in Louisiana as long as you meet the residency requirement of 12 months or spouse resident. You'll need to serve your spouse according to Louisiana's rules for out-of-state service.

Louisiana Divorce Requirements (Statewide)

While parish procedures differ, these requirements apply across all 64 Louisiana parishes:

Residency: 12 months or spouse resident before filing.

Grounds: Louisiana allows no-fault divorce, meaning you don't need to prove wrongdoing to end your marriage.

Waiting Period: 180 days without children, 365 days with children after filing.

Property Division: Louisiana follows community property rules, meaning marital property is divided equally between spouses.

Child Custody: Louisiana courts focus on the child's best interests when determining custody and parenting time.

Professional Help with Your Louisiana Divorce

Whether you choose to work with an attorney or use an online divorce service, professional assistance can help you navigate your parish's specific requirements and avoid costly mistakes. Online divorce services provide affordable alternatives to traditional attorneys for uncontested cases, with county-specific forms and filing assistance.

Why County-Specific Information Saves You Money

Avoid Rejected Filings
Each parish in Louisiana has specific formatting requirements, caption styles, and required forms. Using parish-correct documents the first time avoids rejection and refiling fees.

Budget Accurately
Knowing your exact filing fee, service costs, and required class fees lets you budget precisely. No surprises.

Choose the Right Approach
Some parishes have excellent self-help centers that make DIY divorce easier. Others have complex e-filing systems where professional help is worth it. County-specific knowledge helps you decide.

Find Free Resources
Many parishes offer free mediation for low-income residents, law library access, or pro bono attorney consultations. You won't know about these unless you check your parish's specific resources.

About This Guide

This comprehensive Louisiana parish divorce guide provides detailed information about filing for divorce in each of Louisiana's 64 parishes. We maintain current filing fees, court contact information, and local rules to help Louisiana residents understand their local divorce process.

Last Updated: February 2026

We've helped with

over 1 million divorces

We provide everything you need to get divorced — from conflict resolution to filing support and access to divorce experts — in one comprehensive, convenient online platform.

Proudly featured in these publications

Upfront pricing at a fraction of the cost of traditional divorce

Divorce doesn’t have to cost as much as a car.

Traditional Divorce

$25-$30k

Divorce.com

$499

-

$1,999

Real Answers. Real Support.

We're here to guide you through every step of divorce — whether you're just starting to explore your options or ready to take the next step. Our blog offers expert insights, practical tips, and real-life stories to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Our Services

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Paperwork Only

Basic access to divorce paperwork where you handle the rigorous filing process with the court.

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We File For You

Our most popular package includes a dedicated case manager, automated court filing, spouse signature collection, and personalized documentation.

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Complete divorce support including mediation sessions, dedicated case management, court filing, and personalized documentation.