On April 9, 2026, the Louisiana Supreme Court permanently disbarred 54-year-old New Orleans attorney Lionel 'Lon' Burns Jr. after finding he filed a fraudulent November 2020 divorce petition containing a forged spousal affidavit. For Louisiana residents, the ruling confirms that any forged signature on a family court filing — even one page in a multi-document petition — can void the underlying divorce, expose the filing attorney to permanent disbarment, and trigger criminal forgery liability under La. R.S. 14:72.
Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| What happened | Louisiana Supreme Court permanently disbarred attorney Lon Burns Jr. for filing a divorce petition with a forged spousal signature |
| When | Order issued April 9, 2026; underlying forgery occurred November 2020 |
| Where | Orleans Parish Civil District Court; disciplinary order from Louisiana Supreme Court |
| Who is affected | Attorney Lionel 'Lon' Burns Jr. (54), client Paul Lucky III, and Mr. Lucky's wife Tierra Singleton, whose signature was forged |
| Key rules violated | Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct 3.3 (candor), 8.4(c) (dishonesty), and La. C.C.P. art. 863 (pleading verification) |
| Practical impact | Permanent disbarment — Burns may never reapply for Louisiana bar admission; the underlying divorce is voidable |
The Fox 8 Live report and ABA Journal coverage confirm that the justices rejected Burns's defense after documenting nearly 20 years of escalating ethical lapses, admonishments, and suspensions. The Court wrote that Burns 'continued to engage in the same type of misconduct' despite repeated disciplinary opportunities, making permanent disbarment the only appropriate sanction.
Why This Ruling Matters Legally
This disbarment establishes that Louisiana will not tolerate signature forgery in divorce filings, regardless of the attorney's prior reputation or client instructions. The Court's order removes Burns from the practice of law for life — a sanction imposed in fewer than 5% of Louisiana attorney discipline cases annually. Permanent disbarment differs from ordinary disbarment in one critical respect: under Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX, § 24(A), a permanently disbarred lawyer is barred from ever seeking reinstatement.
The ruling also reinforces the elevated duty attorneys owe when verifying divorce pleadings. A petition for divorce filed under La. C.C. art. 102 requires a sworn affidavit, and the signing attorney represents to the court that every factual assertion has been verified. When Burns filed the November 2020 petition on behalf of Paul Lucky III containing Tierra Singleton's forged signature, he violated both his verification duty and Rule 3.3 of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct, which prohibits knowingly offering false evidence.
Beyond discipline, forgery of a notarized affidavit is a distinct criminal offense under La. R.S. 14:72, punishable by up to 10 years at hard labor and a $5,000 fine. The disciplinary ruling does not preclude Orleans Parish prosecutors from pursuing separate criminal charges.
How Louisiana Law Handles Divorce Document Fraud
Louisiana imposes the strictest verification requirements in the nation on divorce pleadings. Under La. C.C.P. art. 863, every pleading signed by an attorney certifies that the factual contentions have evidentiary support and are not made for any improper purpose. Violating this article exposes the attorney to sanctions that range from monetary penalties to referral to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
For the divorce itself, Louisiana recognizes two pathways. A no-fault divorce under La. C.C. art. 102 requires living separate and apart for 180 days (no minor children) or 365 days (with minor children). A fault-based divorce under La. C.C. art. 103 requires proof of adultery, felony conviction, or other statutory grounds. Both pathways require properly executed affidavits from both spouses confirming service, jurisdiction, or separation dates — the exact documents Burns falsified.
When forgery is discovered after a divorce decree issues, the aggrieved spouse may seek to annul the judgment under La. C.C.P. art. 2004, which permits annulment of judgments obtained through fraud or ill practices within one year of discovery. Ms. Singleton, whose signature was forged, retains this remedy regardless of how much time has passed since the original filing, because the one-year clock runs from discovery — not from the date of judgment.
Practical Takeaways for Louisiana Residents
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Verify every signature yourself. Before any divorce document is filed in Louisiana, personally sign the affidavit in the presence of a notary. Never authorize your attorney or a third party to sign on your behalf, even if they claim it is routine.
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Request copies of all filed pleadings within 30 days. Louisiana attorneys are required under Rule 1.4 of the Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct to keep clients reasonably informed. If you cannot obtain copies of what was filed in your name, treat it as a red flag.
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Check your attorney's disciplinary history before hiring. The Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board publishes all public discipline at www.ladb.org. An attorney with multiple prior admonishments — as Burns had for nearly 20 years — should prompt a second opinion.
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Act within one year of discovering fraud. Under La. C.C.P. art. 2004, you have one year from discovery to seek annulment of a fraudulent divorce judgment. Document when you learned of the fraud and consult counsel immediately.
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Report forgery to law enforcement. Forgery of a divorce affidavit is a felony under La. R.S. 14:72. File a police report with the parish where the document was notarized — the criminal case proceeds independently from the civil annulment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do If I Discover My Signature Was Forged on Divorce Papers?
Immediately contact a Louisiana family law attorney to file an action to annul the judgment under La. C.C.P. art. 2004. You have one year from the date of discovery. Also report the forgery to your parish sheriff, as forgery is a felony under La. R.S. 14:72 carrying up to 10 years imprisonment.
Can a Louisiana Divorce Be Undone If the Attorney Committed Fraud?
Yes. Under La. C.C.P. art. 2004, a divorce judgment obtained through fraud or ill practices can be annulled within one year of discovering the fraud. The 2026 Burns disbarment case confirms courts treat forged affidavits as grounds for both annulment and attorney discipline, regardless of how much time has passed since the original 2020 filing.
How Do I Check a Louisiana Attorney's Disciplinary Record?
Visit the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board at www.ladb.org and search by name or bar number. All public discipline — including the April 9, 2026 Burns permanent disbarment — appears in the public record. You should also check the Louisiana State Bar Association membership directory to confirm an attorney's current license status.
What Is the Difference Between Disbarment and Permanent Disbarment in Louisiana?
Ordinary disbarment under Louisiana Supreme Court Rule XIX allows the attorney to apply for reinstatement after five years. Permanent disbarment — imposed on Burns on April 9, 2026 — bars reinstatement forever under Rule XIX, § 24(A). Permanent disbarment is reserved for cases involving repeat misconduct or intentional dishonesty to courts.
Are Notarized Divorce Documents Harder to Forge in Louisiana?
No — notarization is no guarantee against forgery. The Burns case involved a properly notarized affidavit where the notary apparently did not verify Tierra Singleton's identity. Louisiana notaries face their own discipline under La. R.S. 35:199 if they notarize signatures outside the signer's presence, but the civil remedy against the forgery itself remains a La. C.C.P. art. 2004 annulment action.
If you suspect fraud or forgery in a Louisiana divorce proceeding, speak with a qualified family law attorney in your parish. You can find exclusive member attorneys for every Louisiana parish in our attorney directory.
This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.