Divorce & Family Law in Louisiana

Louisiana is the only US state that follows a civil law system (based on French Napoleonic Code) rather than common law, fundamentally affecting divorce proceedings. Louisiana is a community property state where all assets acquired during marriage are split equally. Filing fee $250. A "no-fault" divorce requires living apart for either 180 days (no minor children) or 365 days (with minor children). Louisiana has a unique "covenant marriage" option that requires pre-marriage counseling and limits divorce grounds to adultery, abuse, felony conviction, or two-year separation. Spousal support (interim and final) considers multiple factors without a standard formula. East Baton Rouge and Orleans Parishes handle the highest volumes.