Kenner sits in Jefferson Parish along the Lake Pontchartrain shoreline, and every divorce filed by a Kenner resident is handled by the 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna. Whether you live near Rivertown, Chateau Estates, or the neighborhoods off Williams Boulevard, your case goes to the same courthouse and follows the same Louisiana Civil Code rules. This page walks through where to file, what it costs, and how long it takes for someone living in Kenner specifically.
Kenner Divorce Key Facts (2026)
Kenner residents file in Jefferson Parish at the 24th Judicial District Court. Louisiana is a community property state, meaning marital assets are generally split equally. The state requires one spouse to be domiciled in Louisiana, with domicile presumed after six months of continuous parish residence under La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 10(A)(7).
| Key Fact | Detail for Kenner |
|---|---|
| County (Parish) | Jefferson Parish |
| Filing court | 24th Judicial District Court (Thomas F. Donelon Courthouse) |
| Court address | 200 Derbigny Street, Gretna, LA 70053 |
| Filing fee range | Approximately $300-$350 (2026) |
| Residency requirement | One spouse domiciled in Louisiana (6 months presumed) |
| Waiting period | 180 days (no minor children) / 365 days (with minor children) |
| Property model | Community property (equal division) |
How do I file for divorce in Kenner, Louisiana?
To file for divorce as a Kenner resident, you submit a petition to the 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna and pay a filing fee of roughly $300-$350. Louisiana offers two no-fault paths under Civil Code Article 102 and Article 103. Article 102 lets you file first, then complete the separation period; Article 103 requires you to live apart first.
Under an Article 102 divorce, you file the petition before the separation period is complete, then your spouse is served, and the clock starts running. After the waiting period passes, you file a Rule to Show Cause requesting the final judgment. An Article 103 divorce is usually faster and cheaper because the separation period is already satisfied at filing, and a judgment can often issue within about one month. Kenner residents who live near Williams Boulevard or the airport corridor file at the same Gretna courthouse regardless of which article they choose. Filings are also accepted at First Parish Court, 924 David Drive, Metairie, LA 70003.
Where do I file for divorce in Kenner? (which courthouse)
Kenner residents file at the 24th Judicial District Court, located in the Thomas F. Donelon Courthouse at 200 Derbigny Street, Gretna, LA 70053. Civil filings, including divorce petitions, are processed in Suite 2400. The civil information line is (504) 364-2900, and office hours run 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Gretna is across the Mississippi River from Kenner, roughly a 20-minute drive via the Huey P. Long Bridge or the Crescent City Connection depending on traffic. The Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court maintains the civil records department where new suits are initiated by filing the pleading along with a security deposit for costs. As a convenience for residents on the East Bank where Kenner sits, the 24th JDC also accepts filings at First Parish Court, 924 David Drive in Metairie. The mailing address for the Clerk is P.O. Box 10, Gretna, LA 70054-0010. Note that effective January 1, 2026, the court no longer accepts fax filings for civil matters, so plan to file in person, by mail, by courier, or through the JeffNet system.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Kenner?
A Kenner divorce lawyer typically charges $200-$400 per hour, with an uncontested case often running $1,500-$3,500 in total fees and a contested case climbing to $5,000-$15,000 or more. The court filing fee adds roughly $300-$350, and sheriff's service of process adds $50-$100 on top of attorney fees.
Costs depend heavily on whether the divorce is contested. An uncontested Article 103 divorce where both spouses agree on property, custody, and support is the least expensive path, since the separation period is already complete and fewer court appearances are required. A contested case involving disputes over community property partition under La. R.S. 9:2801 or custody can multiply the cost. Use the divorce cost estimator to model your own situation before contacting a lawyer. If you cannot afford the filing fee, Louisiana courts grant In Forma Pauperis status to petitioners earning below 125% of the federal poverty level, which was $19,950 for a single person or $41,250 for a family of four in 2026.
How long does a divorce take in Kenner?
A Kenner divorce takes a minimum of 180 days with no minor children or 365 days with minor children, set by La. Civ. Code art. 103.1. An uncontested Article 103 divorce can finalize within about one month of filing because the separation period is already satisfied, while an Article 102 divorce runs the full waiting period from the date of service.
The waiting period is the same under both articles and turns on whether minor children exist. For couples with no children, the separation requirement is 180 days; with minor children of the marriage, it rises to 365 days. If there is documented physical or sexual abuse, the period is reduced to 180 days even when children are involved. During the separation period, spouses cannot reconcile or resume sexual relations, or the clock resets. A contested case in Jefferson Parish involving property partition or custody disputes can extend well beyond the statutory minimum, sometimes a year or more, depending on the 24th JDC's docket and whether evaluations or trial dates are needed.
What are the residency requirements to file in Jefferson Parish?
To file in Jefferson Parish, at least one spouse must be domiciled in Louisiana. Courts presume domicile after six months of continuous residence in a Louisiana parish under La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 10(A)(7). A Kenner resident who has lived in Jefferson Parish for at least six months meets this threshold and properly files in the 24th Judicial District Court.
Domicile means more than physical presence; it requires intent to remain. Someone who recently moved to Kenner from out of state should confirm the six-month presumption applies before filing, because filing in the wrong venue can result in dismissal or transfer. If you and your spouse live in different parishes, venue rules under the Code of Civil Procedure generally allow filing where either spouse is domiciled or where the matrimonial domicile was located. Kenner residents whose spouse has moved to Orleans Parish or another parish should discuss proper venue with a local attorney, since service of process and mileage costs change when the other party lives elsewhere.
How is property divided in a Kenner divorce?
Louisiana is a community property state, so assets acquired during the marriage are generally split equally between spouses. Under La. Civ. Code art. 2338, community property includes earnings and property acquired through either spouse's effort during the marriage. Separate property under art. 2341, such as inheritances and pre-marriage assets, stays with the original owner.
When Kenner spouses cannot agree, the court partitions the community under La. R.S. 9:2801, the exclusive procedure for dividing the former community of acquets and gains. The court values assets as of the trial date, determines liabilities, and allocates property so each spouse receives an equal net share. Property in a spouse's possession during the marriage is presumed community under art. 2340 unless proven separate. A spouse who used separate funds to benefit community property may claim reimbursement for half the value under art. 2367. The property division tool can help you organize assets before negotiation or trial.