SIMPLIFYING YOUR DIVORCE
Louisiana Divorce Papers
Starting a divorce in Louisiana can feel overwhelming, especially when you are staring at a stack of unfamiliar forms with names like "Article 102" and "Sworn Detailed Descriptive List." Take a breath. This guide walks you through the paperwork Louisiana uses, what each form does, where to find it, and how the process generally unfolds, all in plain language.
Louisiana does things a little differently than most states. It is a community property state, it offers two separate procedural tracks for a no-fault divorce (the Article 102 and Article 103 paths), and it is one of only a handful of states that recognizes covenant marriage. Those wrinkles affect which forms apply to you, so we will explain them clearly as we go.
This page is informational only. It describes what Louisiana divorce forms do and how the process is structured. It is not legal advice, and it cannot tell you which path or form fits your situation. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
Which Louisiana Divorce Forms Will You Need?
Louisiana does not publish a single, numbered statewide divorce packet the way some states do. Instead, the most accessible statewide petition forms come from the Louisiana State Bar Association's Access to Justice (ATJ) Commission, and a set of standardized appendix forms appears in the Title IV District Court Rules. Below, the forms are grouped by what they do. Keep in mind that the right combination depends entirely on your circumstances, so for guidance on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
Starting the Case
Louisiana's no-fault divorce runs on two tracks. The Article 102 path means you file first, then wait out the separation period, then ask the court to finalize. The Article 103 path means you wait out the separation period first, then file and seek judgment. The petition you use reflects your track and whether you have minor children.
Petition for 102 Divorce (with minor children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates an Article 102 divorce when spouses have minor children and have not yet completed the 365-day separation period.
Petition for 102 Divorce (without minor children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates an Article 102 divorce when spouses have no minor children and have not yet completed the 180-day separation period.
Petition for 103 Divorce (with minor children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates an Article 103 divorce when spouses have minor children and have already lived separate and apart 365 days.
Petition for 103 Divorce (without minor children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates an Article 103 divorce when spouses have no minor children and have already lived separate and apart 180 days.
Petition for 103(5) Divorce (without children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates a domestic-violence Article 103(5) divorce where a protective order or injunction was issued against the defendant.
Responding to the Petition
In Louisiana, a defendant often does not file a traditional "answer" so much as a waiver that simplifies service and procedure. These forms describe what a defendant can waive.
Appendix 27.1A: Waiver of Citation, Service, and Notice on Original Petition in a La.-C.C. Art. 102 Divorce
Allows the defendant to waive citation, service, and notice of the original divorce petition in an Article 102 case.
Appendix 27.1B: Waiver of Service, Notice, and Appearance on Rule to Show Cause in a La.-C.C. Art. 102 Divorce
Allows the defendant to waive service, notice, and appearance on the Rule to Show Cause filed to finalize an Article 102 divorce.
Appendix 28.3A: Acceptance of Waiver and Waiver of Service and Citation and Delays in a La. C.C. art. 103 Divorce
Allows the defendant in an Article 103 case to accept service and selectively waive citation, legal delays, notice of trial, and appearance.
Financial & Disclosure Forms
Because Louisiana is a community property state, financial disclosure and inventory forms carry real weight. Child support is calculated by a guidelines worksheet under La. R.S. 9:315 and following, and that worksheet lives inside the Family Law Affidavit rather than existing as its own numbered form.
Appendix 23.0B: Family Law Affidavit
A combined financial and support disclosure form covering income, expenses, the child support calculation worksheet, spousal support, and custody matters; required in most contested family law proceedings.
Appendix 30.0A: Sworn Detailed Descriptive List
Each spouse's sworn inventory of all community assets, community debts, and reimbursement or accounting claims; required in community property partition proceedings under La. R.S. 9:2801.
Forms for Divorces With Children
When minor children are involved, Louisiana adds custody and parenting-plan paperwork. Note that whether the parents share a "domiciliary parent" designation changes which joint custody plan applies.
Appendix 29.0A: Application for Ex Parte Temporary Custody Order — Affidavit of Mover (La. C.C.P. art. 3945(B))
Requests an emergency temporary custody order without a prior hearing.
Appendix 29.2A: Joint Custody Plan (With Domiciliary Parent)
A parenting plan specifying legal custody, the physical custody schedule, the holiday schedule, and the domiciliary parent designation for joint custody arrangements.
Appendix 29.2B: Joint Custody Plan (Without Domiciliary Parent)
A parenting plan for shared custody arrangements without a designated domiciliary parent.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
Louisiana does not publish a statewide standard marital settlement agreement form. Parties typically draft their own agreement, or use an attorney-prepared agreement that is incorporated into the Judgment of Divorce. For community property, though, there is an agreed-inventory form spouses can use when they see eye to eye.
Appendix 30.0C: Joint Detailed Descriptive List
An agreed joint inventory of community property and debts filed by both parties in place of separate sworn lists when the spouses agree on characterization and values.
Finalizing Your Case
To wrap up, Louisiana uses certification checklists that confirm the procedural requirements were met. Importantly, the Judgment of Divorce itself is a proposed court order that the parties draft and submit. There is no standard statewide blank judgment form.
Appendix 27.0A: La. C.C. Art. 102 Divorce Checklist
A mover or attorney certification checklist filed on or before the Rule date; verifies that all procedural requirements for an Article 102 divorce have been met.
Appendix 28.1B: La. C.C.P. Art. 1702(F) Divorce Checklist (Article 103(1) or 103(5) — Default/Uncontested Affidavit Procedure)
A petitioner or attorney certification filed with the Judgment of Divorce confirming all requirements for a default or uncontested Article 103 divorce by affidavit.
Appendix 28.2B: La. C.C.P. Art. 969(B) Divorce Checklist
A checklist for obtaining an uncontested Article 103(1) judgment on the pleadings or summary judgment in chambers when both parties are represented and an answer has been filed.
Where to Get Louisiana Divorce Forms
Louisiana forms come from several places, and which set applies can depend on your parish.
Official State Courts Site
The statewide standardized appendix forms appear in the Title IV District Court Rules, published by the Louisiana Supreme Court. You can review them at the official court site: lasc.org District Court Rules, Title IV. Be aware that some of these appendices are lists of court-specific local rules and can vary by judicial district.
Louisiana State Bar Association (ATJ Commission)
The LSBA Access to Justice Commission publishes the most accessible statewide self-represented petition forms. The LSBA's guided divorce tool covers Article 103 divorces, and some courts direct Article 102 filers to seek attorney assistance.
Parish Clerk of Court / Family Court
Filing happens at the district court for the parish where the case belongs. Some parishes maintain their own locally specific procedures and form sets. Orleans Parish (Civil District Court) and East Baton Rouge (Family Court), for example, have local form sets that supplement or replace some statewide appendix forms.
Legal Aid & Self-Help Resources
Louisiana legal aid organizations and court self-help resources can point you to the right statewide forms and explain general procedures. Self-represented litigants are also required to use the Supreme Court-authorized Civil Case Cover Sheet (Appendix 9.6 of the district court rules).
Online Divorce Services (Divorce.com)
If sorting through two procedural tracks, parish-specific rules, and unnumbered forms feels like a lot, an online service can streamline it. Divorce.com helps you organize the paperwork that fits an uncontested case so you are not piecing it together alone.
Hire an Attorney
For contested cases, covenant marriages, complex community property, or anything involving safety concerns, a Louisiana family law attorney can prepare and review your documents. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
The Louisiana Divorce Process
Every case is different, but here is how a Louisiana divorce generally moves from start to finish.
1. Confirm Residency (Domicile)
At least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana at the time of filing. Living in a parish for six months creates a rebuttable presumption of domicile under La. C.C.P. art. 10(B). There is no separate county-level durational requirement beyond the domicile standard.
2. Choose a Path and File the Petition
On the Article 102 path, the petition is filed first, before the separation period is complete. On the Article 103 path, the required separation period must already have passed before the petition is filed. The petition you select reflects your track and whether you have minor children.
3. Serve the Other Spouse
The defendant is served with the petition, or may waive formal service and citation using the applicable waiver appendix (such as Appendix 27.1A for an Article 102 case or Appendix 28.3A for an Article 103 case).
4. Exchange Disclosures and Inventories
Financial disclosure through the Family Law Affidavit (Appendix 23.0B) and, where community property is being divided, a Sworn Detailed Descriptive List (Appendix 30.0A) or a Joint Detailed Descriptive List (Appendix 30.0C) document each party's finances and the community estate.
5. Satisfy the Waiting Period
For a no-fault divorce, the parties must live separate and apart for 180 days (no minor children) or 365 days (minor children). On the Article 102 path, this period runs after service of the petition, and then a Rule to Show Cause is filed to finalize. On the Article 103 path, the period must have elapsed before filing. Certain fault grounds carry no waiting period.
6. Finalize the Judgment and Get Certified Copies
The appropriate certification checklist (Appendix 27.0A for Article 102, or Appendix 28.1B or 28.2B for Article 103 routes) is filed to confirm requirements were met, and the parties submit a proposed Judgment of Divorce for the court to sign. Once entered, you can request certified copies for your records.
Louisiana-Specific Requirements You Should Know
A few features set Louisiana apart from most states.
Residency / domicile: At least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana when the case is filed. Six months living in a parish creates a rebuttable presumption of domicile (La. C.C.P. art. 10(B)).
Community property: Louisiana is one of nine community property states. Community property partition under La. R.S. 9:2801 uses sworn detailed descriptive lists and can proceed as a separate action after the divorce judgment.
Two no-fault paths: Article 102 (file first, wait out the separation period, then file a Rule to Show Cause) and Article 103 (wait out the separation period, then file and seek judgment) are the two core no-fault tracks.
Grounds: No-fault divorce is granted after living separate and apart 180 days (no minor children) or 365 days (minor children) without reconciliation. Fault-based grounds that can bypass the waiting period include adultery (Art. 103(2)); a felony conviction with a sentence of death or imprisonment at hard labor (Art. 103(3)); domestic abuse involving a crime of violence or sex offense against the petitioner or a child during the marriage (Art. 103(4)); and a post-filing protective order or injunction issued against the defendant to protect the petitioner or a child (Art. 103(5)).
Covenant marriage: Louisiana (along with Arizona and Arkansas) allows couples to enter a covenant marriage under La. R.S. 9:272. Covenant marriages restrict divorce to fault-based grounds (such as adultery, a felony with a hard-labor or death sentence, physical or sexual abuse of a spouse or child, or abandonment of the matrimonial domicile for one year) or a two-year no-fault separation, and they require pre-divorce counseling.
Parenting classes: Courts may order parent education classes under La. R.S. 9:331.2. Requirements vary by judicial district. The program runs a minimum of three hours.
Hearing officers: Most Louisiana district courts use hearing officers, not judges, for initial family law proceedings; their recommendations are subject to objection before a judge.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mixing up the Article 102 and Article 103 paths
The two tracks have different filing sequences. Filing on the wrong track for where you are in your separation period can stall your case.
Assuming there is one numbered statewide form set
Louisiana has no single numbered statewide petition or judgment form. Forms are named by appendix number or informally by the ATJ Commission, and some appendices vary by district.
Overlooking parish-specific procedures
Parishes like Orleans (Civil District Court) and East Baton Rouge (Family Court) have local form sets and procedures that can supplement or replace the statewide appendices.
Treating covenant marriage like a standard marriage
If you entered a covenant marriage, different grounds and a longer separation period apply, along with required counseling.
Skipping the community property inventory
Community property partition relies on detailed descriptive lists. Incomplete inventories can complicate the division of assets and debts.
Forgetting the Civil Case Cover Sheet
Self-represented litigants are required to use the Supreme Court-authorized Civil Case Cover Sheet (Appendix 9.6).
How Divorce.com Can Help
Louisiana's two procedural paths, parish-by-parish variations, and forms that go by appendix number instead of a tidy packet can make even an amicable divorce feel confusing. Divorce.com is built to take that weight off your shoulders by helping you organize the right paperwork for an uncontested case in plain, step-by-step language.
Guided, plain-language questions instead of legal jargon
Help organizing the documents that fit an uncontested Louisiana divorce
A clear, step-by-step flow you can complete at your own pace
Support that points you to official Louisiana court resources when you need them
An affordable alternative to handling everything entirely on your own
Which Louisiana Divorce Forms Will You Need?
Louisiana does not publish a single, numbered statewide divorce packet the way some states do. Instead, the most accessible statewide petition forms come from the Louisiana State Bar Association's Access to Justice (ATJ) Commission, and a set of standardized appendix forms appears in the Title IV District Court Rules. Below, the forms are grouped by what they do. Keep in mind that the right combination depends entirely on your circumstances, so for guidance on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
Starting the Case
Louisiana's no-fault divorce runs on two tracks. The Article 102 path means you file first, then wait out the separation period, then ask the court to finalize. The Article 103 path means you wait out the separation period first, then file and seek judgment. The petition you use reflects your track and whether you have minor children.
Petition for 102 Divorce (with minor children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates an Article 102 divorce when spouses have minor children and have not yet completed the 365-day separation period.
Petition for 102 Divorce (without minor children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates an Article 102 divorce when spouses have no minor children and have not yet completed the 180-day separation period.
Petition for 103 Divorce (with minor children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates an Article 103 divorce when spouses have minor children and have already lived separate and apart 365 days.
Petition for 103 Divorce (without minor children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates an Article 103 divorce when spouses have no minor children and have already lived separate and apart 180 days.
Petition for 103(5) Divorce (without children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates a domestic-violence Article 103(5) divorce where a protective order or injunction was issued against the defendant.
Responding to the Petition
In Louisiana, a defendant often does not file a traditional "answer" so much as a waiver that simplifies service and procedure. These forms describe what a defendant can waive.
Appendix 27.1A: Waiver of Citation, Service, and Notice on Original Petition in a La.-C.C. Art. 102 Divorce
Allows the defendant to waive citation, service, and notice of the original divorce petition in an Article 102 case.
Appendix 27.1B: Waiver of Service, Notice, and Appearance on Rule to Show Cause in a La.-C.C. Art. 102 Divorce
Allows the defendant to waive service, notice, and appearance on the Rule to Show Cause filed to finalize an Article 102 divorce.
Appendix 28.3A: Acceptance of Waiver and Waiver of Service and Citation and Delays in a La. C.C. art. 103 Divorce
Allows the defendant in an Article 103 case to accept service and selectively waive citation, legal delays, notice of trial, and appearance.
Financial & Disclosure Forms
Because Louisiana is a community property state, financial disclosure and inventory forms carry real weight. Child support is calculated by a guidelines worksheet under La. R.S. 9:315 and following, and that worksheet lives inside the Family Law Affidavit rather than existing as its own numbered form.
Appendix 23.0B: Family Law Affidavit
A combined financial and support disclosure form covering income, expenses, the child support calculation worksheet, spousal support, and custody matters; required in most contested family law proceedings.
Appendix 30.0A: Sworn Detailed Descriptive List
Each spouse's sworn inventory of all community assets, community debts, and reimbursement or accounting claims; required in community property partition proceedings under La. R.S. 9:2801.
Forms for Divorces With Children
When minor children are involved, Louisiana adds custody and parenting-plan paperwork. Note that whether the parents share a "domiciliary parent" designation changes which joint custody plan applies.
Appendix 29.0A: Application for Ex Parte Temporary Custody Order — Affidavit of Mover (La. C.C.P. art. 3945(B))
Requests an emergency temporary custody order without a prior hearing.
Appendix 29.2A: Joint Custody Plan (With Domiciliary Parent)
A parenting plan specifying legal custody, the physical custody schedule, the holiday schedule, and the domiciliary parent designation for joint custody arrangements.
Appendix 29.2B: Joint Custody Plan (Without Domiciliary Parent)
A parenting plan for shared custody arrangements without a designated domiciliary parent.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
Louisiana does not publish a statewide standard marital settlement agreement form. Parties typically draft their own agreement, or use an attorney-prepared agreement that is incorporated into the Judgment of Divorce. For community property, though, there is an agreed-inventory form spouses can use when they see eye to eye.
Appendix 30.0C: Joint Detailed Descriptive List
An agreed joint inventory of community property and debts filed by both parties in place of separate sworn lists when the spouses agree on characterization and values.
Finalizing Your Case
To wrap up, Louisiana uses certification checklists that confirm the procedural requirements were met. Importantly, the Judgment of Divorce itself is a proposed court order that the parties draft and submit. There is no standard statewide blank judgment form.
Appendix 27.0A: La. C.C. Art. 102 Divorce Checklist
A mover or attorney certification checklist filed on or before the Rule date; verifies that all procedural requirements for an Article 102 divorce have been met.
Appendix 28.1B: La. C.C.P. Art. 1702(F) Divorce Checklist (Article 103(1) or 103(5) — Default/Uncontested Affidavit Procedure)
A petitioner or attorney certification filed with the Judgment of Divorce confirming all requirements for a default or uncontested Article 103 divorce by affidavit.
Appendix 28.2B: La. C.C.P. Art. 969(B) Divorce Checklist
A checklist for obtaining an uncontested Article 103(1) judgment on the pleadings or summary judgment in chambers when both parties are represented and an answer has been filed.
Where to Get Louisiana Divorce Forms
Louisiana forms come from several places, and which set applies can depend on your parish.
Official State Courts Site
The statewide standardized appendix forms appear in the Title IV District Court Rules, published by the Louisiana Supreme Court. You can review them at the official court site: lasc.org District Court Rules, Title IV. Be aware that some of these appendices are lists of court-specific local rules and can vary by judicial district.
Louisiana State Bar Association (ATJ Commission)
The LSBA Access to Justice Commission publishes the most accessible statewide self-represented petition forms. The LSBA's guided divorce tool covers Article 103 divorces, and some courts direct Article 102 filers to seek attorney assistance.
Parish Clerk of Court / Family Court
Filing happens at the district court for the parish where the case belongs. Some parishes maintain their own locally specific procedures and form sets. Orleans Parish (Civil District Court) and East Baton Rouge (Family Court), for example, have local form sets that supplement or replace some statewide appendix forms.
Legal Aid & Self-Help Resources
Louisiana legal aid organizations and court self-help resources can point you to the right statewide forms and explain general procedures. Self-represented litigants are also required to use the Supreme Court-authorized Civil Case Cover Sheet (Appendix 9.6 of the district court rules).
Online Divorce Services (Divorce.com)
If sorting through two procedural tracks, parish-specific rules, and unnumbered forms feels like a lot, an online service can streamline it. Divorce.com helps you organize the paperwork that fits an uncontested case so you are not piecing it together alone.
Hire an Attorney
For contested cases, covenant marriages, complex community property, or anything involving safety concerns, a Louisiana family law attorney can prepare and review your documents. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
The Louisiana Divorce Process
Every case is different, but here is how a Louisiana divorce generally moves from start to finish.
1. Confirm Residency (Domicile)
At least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana at the time of filing. Living in a parish for six months creates a rebuttable presumption of domicile under La. C.C.P. art. 10(B). There is no separate county-level durational requirement beyond the domicile standard.
2. Choose a Path and File the Petition
On the Article 102 path, the petition is filed first, before the separation period is complete. On the Article 103 path, the required separation period must already have passed before the petition is filed. The petition you select reflects your track and whether you have minor children.
3. Serve the Other Spouse
The defendant is served with the petition, or may waive formal service and citation using the applicable waiver appendix (such as Appendix 27.1A for an Article 102 case or Appendix 28.3A for an Article 103 case).
4. Exchange Disclosures and Inventories
Financial disclosure through the Family Law Affidavit (Appendix 23.0B) and, where community property is being divided, a Sworn Detailed Descriptive List (Appendix 30.0A) or a Joint Detailed Descriptive List (Appendix 30.0C) document each party's finances and the community estate.
5. Satisfy the Waiting Period
For a no-fault divorce, the parties must live separate and apart for 180 days (no minor children) or 365 days (minor children). On the Article 102 path, this period runs after service of the petition, and then a Rule to Show Cause is filed to finalize. On the Article 103 path, the period must have elapsed before filing. Certain fault grounds carry no waiting period.
6. Finalize the Judgment and Get Certified Copies
The appropriate certification checklist (Appendix 27.0A for Article 102, or Appendix 28.1B or 28.2B for Article 103 routes) is filed to confirm requirements were met, and the parties submit a proposed Judgment of Divorce for the court to sign. Once entered, you can request certified copies for your records.
Louisiana-Specific Requirements You Should Know
A few features set Louisiana apart from most states.
Residency / domicile: At least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana when the case is filed. Six months living in a parish creates a rebuttable presumption of domicile (La. C.C.P. art. 10(B)).
Community property: Louisiana is one of nine community property states. Community property partition under La. R.S. 9:2801 uses sworn detailed descriptive lists and can proceed as a separate action after the divorce judgment.
Two no-fault paths: Article 102 (file first, wait out the separation period, then file a Rule to Show Cause) and Article 103 (wait out the separation period, then file and seek judgment) are the two core no-fault tracks.
Grounds: No-fault divorce is granted after living separate and apart 180 days (no minor children) or 365 days (minor children) without reconciliation. Fault-based grounds that can bypass the waiting period include adultery (Art. 103(2)); a felony conviction with a sentence of death or imprisonment at hard labor (Art. 103(3)); domestic abuse involving a crime of violence or sex offense against the petitioner or a child during the marriage (Art. 103(4)); and a post-filing protective order or injunction issued against the defendant to protect the petitioner or a child (Art. 103(5)).
Covenant marriage: Louisiana (along with Arizona and Arkansas) allows couples to enter a covenant marriage under La. R.S. 9:272. Covenant marriages restrict divorce to fault-based grounds (such as adultery, a felony with a hard-labor or death sentence, physical or sexual abuse of a spouse or child, or abandonment of the matrimonial domicile for one year) or a two-year no-fault separation, and they require pre-divorce counseling.
Parenting classes: Courts may order parent education classes under La. R.S. 9:331.2. Requirements vary by judicial district. The program runs a minimum of three hours.
Hearing officers: Most Louisiana district courts use hearing officers, not judges, for initial family law proceedings; their recommendations are subject to objection before a judge.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mixing up the Article 102 and Article 103 paths
The two tracks have different filing sequences. Filing on the wrong track for where you are in your separation period can stall your case.
Assuming there is one numbered statewide form set
Louisiana has no single numbered statewide petition or judgment form. Forms are named by appendix number or informally by the ATJ Commission, and some appendices vary by district.
Overlooking parish-specific procedures
Parishes like Orleans (Civil District Court) and East Baton Rouge (Family Court) have local form sets and procedures that can supplement or replace the statewide appendices.
Treating covenant marriage like a standard marriage
If you entered a covenant marriage, different grounds and a longer separation period apply, along with required counseling.
Skipping the community property inventory
Community property partition relies on detailed descriptive lists. Incomplete inventories can complicate the division of assets and debts.
Forgetting the Civil Case Cover Sheet
Self-represented litigants are required to use the Supreme Court-authorized Civil Case Cover Sheet (Appendix 9.6).
How Divorce.com Can Help
Louisiana's two procedural paths, parish-by-parish variations, and forms that go by appendix number instead of a tidy packet can make even an amicable divorce feel confusing. Divorce.com is built to take that weight off your shoulders by helping you organize the right paperwork for an uncontested case in plain, step-by-step language.
Guided, plain-language questions instead of legal jargon
Help organizing the documents that fit an uncontested Louisiana divorce
A clear, step-by-step flow you can complete at your own pace
Support that points you to official Louisiana court resources when you need them
An affordable alternative to handling everything entirely on your own
Which Louisiana Divorce Forms Will You Need?
Louisiana does not publish a single, numbered statewide divorce packet the way some states do. Instead, the most accessible statewide petition forms come from the Louisiana State Bar Association's Access to Justice (ATJ) Commission, and a set of standardized appendix forms appears in the Title IV District Court Rules. Below, the forms are grouped by what they do. Keep in mind that the right combination depends entirely on your circumstances, so for guidance on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
Starting the Case
Louisiana's no-fault divorce runs on two tracks. The Article 102 path means you file first, then wait out the separation period, then ask the court to finalize. The Article 103 path means you wait out the separation period first, then file and seek judgment. The petition you use reflects your track and whether you have minor children.
Petition for 102 Divorce (with minor children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates an Article 102 divorce when spouses have minor children and have not yet completed the 365-day separation period.
Petition for 102 Divorce (without minor children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates an Article 102 divorce when spouses have no minor children and have not yet completed the 180-day separation period.
Petition for 103 Divorce (with minor children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates an Article 103 divorce when spouses have minor children and have already lived separate and apart 365 days.
Petition for 103 Divorce (without minor children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates an Article 103 divorce when spouses have no minor children and have already lived separate and apart 180 days.
Petition for 103(5) Divorce (without children) — LSBA ATJ Form
Initiates a domestic-violence Article 103(5) divorce where a protective order or injunction was issued against the defendant.
Responding to the Petition
In Louisiana, a defendant often does not file a traditional "answer" so much as a waiver that simplifies service and procedure. These forms describe what a defendant can waive.
Appendix 27.1A: Waiver of Citation, Service, and Notice on Original Petition in a La.-C.C. Art. 102 Divorce
Allows the defendant to waive citation, service, and notice of the original divorce petition in an Article 102 case.
Appendix 27.1B: Waiver of Service, Notice, and Appearance on Rule to Show Cause in a La.-C.C. Art. 102 Divorce
Allows the defendant to waive service, notice, and appearance on the Rule to Show Cause filed to finalize an Article 102 divorce.
Appendix 28.3A: Acceptance of Waiver and Waiver of Service and Citation and Delays in a La. C.C. art. 103 Divorce
Allows the defendant in an Article 103 case to accept service and selectively waive citation, legal delays, notice of trial, and appearance.
Financial & Disclosure Forms
Because Louisiana is a community property state, financial disclosure and inventory forms carry real weight. Child support is calculated by a guidelines worksheet under La. R.S. 9:315 and following, and that worksheet lives inside the Family Law Affidavit rather than existing as its own numbered form.
Appendix 23.0B: Family Law Affidavit
A combined financial and support disclosure form covering income, expenses, the child support calculation worksheet, spousal support, and custody matters; required in most contested family law proceedings.
Appendix 30.0A: Sworn Detailed Descriptive List
Each spouse's sworn inventory of all community assets, community debts, and reimbursement or accounting claims; required in community property partition proceedings under La. R.S. 9:2801.
Forms for Divorces With Children
When minor children are involved, Louisiana adds custody and parenting-plan paperwork. Note that whether the parents share a "domiciliary parent" designation changes which joint custody plan applies.
Appendix 29.0A: Application for Ex Parte Temporary Custody Order — Affidavit of Mover (La. C.C.P. art. 3945(B))
Requests an emergency temporary custody order without a prior hearing.
Appendix 29.2A: Joint Custody Plan (With Domiciliary Parent)
A parenting plan specifying legal custody, the physical custody schedule, the holiday schedule, and the domiciliary parent designation for joint custody arrangements.
Appendix 29.2B: Joint Custody Plan (Without Domiciliary Parent)
A parenting plan for shared custody arrangements without a designated domiciliary parent.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
Louisiana does not publish a statewide standard marital settlement agreement form. Parties typically draft their own agreement, or use an attorney-prepared agreement that is incorporated into the Judgment of Divorce. For community property, though, there is an agreed-inventory form spouses can use when they see eye to eye.
Appendix 30.0C: Joint Detailed Descriptive List
An agreed joint inventory of community property and debts filed by both parties in place of separate sworn lists when the spouses agree on characterization and values.
Finalizing Your Case
To wrap up, Louisiana uses certification checklists that confirm the procedural requirements were met. Importantly, the Judgment of Divorce itself is a proposed court order that the parties draft and submit. There is no standard statewide blank judgment form.
Appendix 27.0A: La. C.C. Art. 102 Divorce Checklist
A mover or attorney certification checklist filed on or before the Rule date; verifies that all procedural requirements for an Article 102 divorce have been met.
Appendix 28.1B: La. C.C.P. Art. 1702(F) Divorce Checklist (Article 103(1) or 103(5) — Default/Uncontested Affidavit Procedure)
A petitioner or attorney certification filed with the Judgment of Divorce confirming all requirements for a default or uncontested Article 103 divorce by affidavit.
Appendix 28.2B: La. C.C.P. Art. 969(B) Divorce Checklist
A checklist for obtaining an uncontested Article 103(1) judgment on the pleadings or summary judgment in chambers when both parties are represented and an answer has been filed.
Where to Get Louisiana Divorce Forms
Louisiana forms come from several places, and which set applies can depend on your parish.
Official State Courts Site
The statewide standardized appendix forms appear in the Title IV District Court Rules, published by the Louisiana Supreme Court. You can review them at the official court site: lasc.org District Court Rules, Title IV. Be aware that some of these appendices are lists of court-specific local rules and can vary by judicial district.
Louisiana State Bar Association (ATJ Commission)
The LSBA Access to Justice Commission publishes the most accessible statewide self-represented petition forms. The LSBA's guided divorce tool covers Article 103 divorces, and some courts direct Article 102 filers to seek attorney assistance.
Parish Clerk of Court / Family Court
Filing happens at the district court for the parish where the case belongs. Some parishes maintain their own locally specific procedures and form sets. Orleans Parish (Civil District Court) and East Baton Rouge (Family Court), for example, have local form sets that supplement or replace some statewide appendix forms.
Legal Aid & Self-Help Resources
Louisiana legal aid organizations and court self-help resources can point you to the right statewide forms and explain general procedures. Self-represented litigants are also required to use the Supreme Court-authorized Civil Case Cover Sheet (Appendix 9.6 of the district court rules).
Online Divorce Services (Divorce.com)
If sorting through two procedural tracks, parish-specific rules, and unnumbered forms feels like a lot, an online service can streamline it. Divorce.com helps you organize the paperwork that fits an uncontested case so you are not piecing it together alone.
Hire an Attorney
For contested cases, covenant marriages, complex community property, or anything involving safety concerns, a Louisiana family law attorney can prepare and review your documents. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
The Louisiana Divorce Process
Every case is different, but here is how a Louisiana divorce generally moves from start to finish.
1. Confirm Residency (Domicile)
At least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana at the time of filing. Living in a parish for six months creates a rebuttable presumption of domicile under La. C.C.P. art. 10(B). There is no separate county-level durational requirement beyond the domicile standard.
2. Choose a Path and File the Petition
On the Article 102 path, the petition is filed first, before the separation period is complete. On the Article 103 path, the required separation period must already have passed before the petition is filed. The petition you select reflects your track and whether you have minor children.
3. Serve the Other Spouse
The defendant is served with the petition, or may waive formal service and citation using the applicable waiver appendix (such as Appendix 27.1A for an Article 102 case or Appendix 28.3A for an Article 103 case).
4. Exchange Disclosures and Inventories
Financial disclosure through the Family Law Affidavit (Appendix 23.0B) and, where community property is being divided, a Sworn Detailed Descriptive List (Appendix 30.0A) or a Joint Detailed Descriptive List (Appendix 30.0C) document each party's finances and the community estate.
5. Satisfy the Waiting Period
For a no-fault divorce, the parties must live separate and apart for 180 days (no minor children) or 365 days (minor children). On the Article 102 path, this period runs after service of the petition, and then a Rule to Show Cause is filed to finalize. On the Article 103 path, the period must have elapsed before filing. Certain fault grounds carry no waiting period.
6. Finalize the Judgment and Get Certified Copies
The appropriate certification checklist (Appendix 27.0A for Article 102, or Appendix 28.1B or 28.2B for Article 103 routes) is filed to confirm requirements were met, and the parties submit a proposed Judgment of Divorce for the court to sign. Once entered, you can request certified copies for your records.
Louisiana-Specific Requirements You Should Know
A few features set Louisiana apart from most states.
Residency / domicile: At least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana when the case is filed. Six months living in a parish creates a rebuttable presumption of domicile (La. C.C.P. art. 10(B)).
Community property: Louisiana is one of nine community property states. Community property partition under La. R.S. 9:2801 uses sworn detailed descriptive lists and can proceed as a separate action after the divorce judgment.
Two no-fault paths: Article 102 (file first, wait out the separation period, then file a Rule to Show Cause) and Article 103 (wait out the separation period, then file and seek judgment) are the two core no-fault tracks.
Grounds: No-fault divorce is granted after living separate and apart 180 days (no minor children) or 365 days (minor children) without reconciliation. Fault-based grounds that can bypass the waiting period include adultery (Art. 103(2)); a felony conviction with a sentence of death or imprisonment at hard labor (Art. 103(3)); domestic abuse involving a crime of violence or sex offense against the petitioner or a child during the marriage (Art. 103(4)); and a post-filing protective order or injunction issued against the defendant to protect the petitioner or a child (Art. 103(5)).
Covenant marriage: Louisiana (along with Arizona and Arkansas) allows couples to enter a covenant marriage under La. R.S. 9:272. Covenant marriages restrict divorce to fault-based grounds (such as adultery, a felony with a hard-labor or death sentence, physical or sexual abuse of a spouse or child, or abandonment of the matrimonial domicile for one year) or a two-year no-fault separation, and they require pre-divorce counseling.
Parenting classes: Courts may order parent education classes under La. R.S. 9:331.2. Requirements vary by judicial district. The program runs a minimum of three hours.
Hearing officers: Most Louisiana district courts use hearing officers, not judges, for initial family law proceedings; their recommendations are subject to objection before a judge.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mixing up the Article 102 and Article 103 paths
The two tracks have different filing sequences. Filing on the wrong track for where you are in your separation period can stall your case.
Assuming there is one numbered statewide form set
Louisiana has no single numbered statewide petition or judgment form. Forms are named by appendix number or informally by the ATJ Commission, and some appendices vary by district.
Overlooking parish-specific procedures
Parishes like Orleans (Civil District Court) and East Baton Rouge (Family Court) have local form sets and procedures that can supplement or replace the statewide appendices.
Treating covenant marriage like a standard marriage
If you entered a covenant marriage, different grounds and a longer separation period apply, along with required counseling.
Skipping the community property inventory
Community property partition relies on detailed descriptive lists. Incomplete inventories can complicate the division of assets and debts.
Forgetting the Civil Case Cover Sheet
Self-represented litigants are required to use the Supreme Court-authorized Civil Case Cover Sheet (Appendix 9.6).
How Divorce.com Can Help
Louisiana's two procedural paths, parish-by-parish variations, and forms that go by appendix number instead of a tidy packet can make even an amicable divorce feel confusing. Divorce.com is built to take that weight off your shoulders by helping you organize the right paperwork for an uncontested case in plain, step-by-step language.
Guided, plain-language questions instead of legal jargon
Help organizing the documents that fit an uncontested Louisiana divorce
A clear, step-by-step flow you can complete at your own pace
Support that points you to official Louisiana court resources when you need them
An affordable alternative to handling everything entirely on your own
Starting a divorce in Louisiana can feel overwhelming, especially when you are staring at a stack of unfamiliar forms with names like "Article 102" and "Sworn Detailed Descriptive List." Take a breath. This guide walks you through the paperwork Louisiana uses, what each form does, where to find it, and how the process generally unfolds, all in plain language.
Louisiana does things a little differently than most states. It is a community property state, it offers two separate procedural tracks for a no-fault divorce (the Article 102 and Article 103 paths), and it is one of only a handful of states that recognizes covenant marriage. Those wrinkles affect which forms apply to you, so we will explain them clearly as we go.
This page is informational only. It describes what Louisiana divorce forms do and how the process is structured. It is not legal advice, and it cannot tell you which path or form fits your situation. For advice on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
The Bottom Line
Louisiana divorce paperwork is a bit unusual: there is no single numbered statewide form set, no-fault divorce runs on two tracks (Article 102 and Article 103), and as a community property state, financial inventories matter. Whether you are filing in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, or Lake Charles, the right combination of forms depends on your path, your separation timeline, and whether you have minor children.
You can review the official statewide appendix forms in the Title IV District Court Rules at lasc.org, and if you want a simpler, guided way to organize an uncontested case, Divorce.com can help.
This guide is informational and not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, including covenant marriage, contested matters, or complex community property, consult an attorney.
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