How Divorce Works In Louisiana

Our divorce attorneys represent clients in all matters relating to divorce, including property partitions, spousal support, child support, and custody matters.

There are three methods of getting divorced in Louisiana:

• One party can file for divorce and serve the papers on their spouse. Then, after living apart for 180 days (or 365 days after January 1, 2007, if the couple have children), the couple can get divorced. This is Louisiana’s version of a no-fault divorce.
• One party can also file for divorce after living apart from his or her spouse for six months (or 365 days after January 1, 2007, if the couple have children).
• A party can file for immediate divorce if their spouse has committed adultery or is convicted of a crime that is punishable by life in prison. In the case of adultery, an immediate divorce may not be in the best interests of the spouse seeking divorce, since it could reduce the amount of temporary alimony he or she receives prior to divorce.

Our family lawyers understand that extended litigation should be a last alternative in resolving a divorce. Therefore, we work to achieve your goals with the least financial and emotional expense to you. However, in those instances where an amicable resolution can not be achieved, our attorneys have the experience and the resources to pursue your interest throughout the discovery, trial and post-trial enforcement stages.

Shreveport Community Property Lawyers

Our lawyers often advise clients about how Louisiana’s community property laws would affect them in the event of divorce.

In Louisiana, community property is property acquired during your marriage, including money, houses, retirement savings, pension plan benefits, and other belongings. It excludes inheritances or anything given to you personally as a gift during the marriage

In the absence of a prenuptial contract, all community property is to be divided in the event of divorce. Our lawyers have litigated the division of community property ranging from sand picked up on a beach, to dogs, to multimillion dollar estates. Property you bring into the marriage is separate property and is yours to keep, as long as you have the records to identify the separate property.

Our lawyers are experienced in handling complex property division involving businesses, executive compensation such as stock options, qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs), and other complex property division matters

Our Divorce Attorneys

Kenneth Haines is one of a limited number of attorneys who is board-certified in family law by the Louisiana state bar.

Carey Schimpf offers a quarter century of legal experience and is certified in family law mediation.

Initial Consultation: Contact a divorce attorney at Weems, Schimpf, Haines, Shemwell & Moore (APLC).