Filing for divorce in Louisiana without an attorney costs $200-$400 in court fees. You must meet the residency requirement of 6 months in Louisiana (or 1 year for certain grounds). Louisiana is a community property state with a 180-365 days of separation waiting period. An uncontested divorce typically takes 6-12 months (due to separation requirement). Victoria AI guides you through every step with Louisiana-specific instructions.
Last updated: February 1, 2026 • Reviewed by Divorce.law Legal Team
| Filing Fee | $200-$400 (Orleans Parish (New Orleans): $350-$400. East Baton Rouge: $275. Jefferson Parish: $290. Fees include service costs in some parishes.) |
| Residency Requirement | 6 months in Louisiana (or 1 year for certain grounds) |
| Waiting Period | 180-365 days of separation |
| Property Division | Community Property (50/50) |
| Grounds for Divorce | Living separate and apart for 180 days (no children) or 365 days (with children), Adultery, Felony conviction with death/hard labor sentence |
| No-Fault Only? | No (fault grounds available) |
| Uncontested Timeline | 6-12 months (due to separation requirement) |
| Contested Timeline | 1-3+ years |
| Fee Waiver Available? | Yes |
To file for divorce in Louisiana, you must meet the following residency requirement: 6 months in Louisiana (or 1 year for certain grounds).
At least one spouse must have been domiciled in Louisiana. For no-fault divorce based on living separate, different periods apply based on whether there are children (365 days) or not (180 days).
Tip: Victoria AI can help you determine if you meet Louisiana's residency requirements and guide you through the documentation needed to prove residency.
Follow these steps to file for divorce in Louisiana without an attorney. Victoria AI guides you through each step with state-specific instructions.
At least one spouse must have been domiciled in Louisiana. For no-fault divorce based on living separate, different periods apply based on whether there are children (365 days) or not (180 days).
Download the official Louisiana divorce forms: Petition for Divorce, Citation, Affidavit of Community Property. All forms are available from the Louisiana courts website.
Fill out the divorce petition (Varies by parish) with your information, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting (property division, custody, support).
File your completed petition with the Louisiana court and pay the filing fee of $200-$400. Fee waivers are available if you qualify financially.
Properly serve your spouse with the divorce papers according to Louisiana rules. Options typically include sheriff service, process server, or certified mail with acknowledgment.
Exchange mandatory financial disclosure documents as required by Louisiana law. This typically includes income verification, tax returns, bank statements, and a sworn financial affidavit.
Louisiana requires living separate and apart: 180 days if no minor children, 365 days if there are minor children. This is one of the longest waiting periods in the U.S.
Submit your final judgment to the court. For uncontested divorces in Louisiana, this typically takes 6-12 months (due to separation requirement). The court will issue your final divorce decree.
These are the primary forms you'll need to file for divorce in Louisiana. Victoria AI guides you through completing each form correctly.
Initiates divorce
Notifies spouse
Lists community assets
Final judgment
The filing fee to start a divorce in Louisiana is $200-$400. Orleans Parish (New Orleans): $350-$400. East Baton Rouge: $275. Jefferson Parish: $290. Fees include service costs in some parishes.
| Cost Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court Filing Fee | $200-$400 |
| Service of Process | $50-$100 (varies by method) |
| Certified Copies | $5-$25 per copy |
| Total DIY Uncontested | $400-$1,500 (uncontested DIY) |
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Louisiana offers fee waivers for qualifying individuals. You'll need to complete a fee waiver application demonstrating financial hardship. This typically requires showing income below a certain threshold (often 125-200% of federal poverty guidelines) or receiving public assistance benefits.
Victoria can help: Our AI guides you through the fee waiver application process and helps you gather the required documentation.
After filing your divorce petition in Louisiana, you must legally "serve" your spouse with the divorce papers. This ensures they receive official notice of the divorce and have an opportunity to respond.
A sheriff, constable, or private process server personally delivers the papers to your spouse. Most reliable method.
Papers sent via certified mail with return receipt requested. Your spouse must sign to acknowledge receipt.
Your spouse voluntarily signs an acknowledgment that they received the papers. Fastest and cheapest option if cooperative.
If your spouse cannot be located, you may be able to publish notice in a newspaper. Requires court approval.
You must file proof of service with the court showing your spouse was properly served. Without valid proof of service, your divorce cannot proceed. Louisiana courts are strict about service requirements.
Louisiana is a community property state.
Louisiana is a community property state. All property acquired during marriage is community property owned 50/50 by both spouses. The community regime terminates retroactively to the date of filing.
Victoria's Financial Tools: Our AI-powered financial tools help you identify, categorize, and value marital assets. Victoria can help you understand how Louisiana law applies to your specific property.
Louisiana uses the Income shares model per Louisiana R.S. 9:315.
Louisiana uses income shares guidelines. Combined adjusted gross incomes of both parents determine the basic child support obligation, allocated based on each parent's share of combined income.
Understanding the timeline helps you plan and set realistic expectations for your Louisiana divorce.
When both spouses agree on all terms including property division, custody, and support. This is the fastest and least expensive option.
When spouses cannot agree and need court intervention to resolve disputes. Involves hearings, discovery, and potentially trial.
File Petition
Day 1 - Submit your divorce paperwork and pay the $200-$400 filing fee
Serve Your Spouse
Within 30 days - Ensure proper legal service of divorce papers
Response Period
20-30 days - Your spouse has time to file a response
Waiting Period
180-365 days of separation - Louisiana requires living separate and apart: 180 days if no minor children, 365 days if there are minor children. This is one of the longest waiting periods in the U.S.
Final Judgment
Court issues your final divorce decree
Speed up your divorce: Victoria AI helps you complete forms correctly the first time, avoiding delays from rejected paperwork. Our checklists ensure you don't miss any steps or deadlines.
Longest separation requirement in U.S. (365 days with children)
Community property state
Covenant marriage option
Civil law system (unique among states)
Community regime terminates at filing
Common questions about filing for divorce in Louisiana without an attorney.
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Louisiana-specific forms
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Child support calculator
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All Louisiana divorce information verified from official state court sources.
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