Louisiana Divorce Checklist

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Prepared: 5/20/2026

Data updated: 3/1/2026

Estimated Timeline

4–6 months for an uncontested Article 103 divorce without minor children (separation already completed), 7–9 months for an uncontested Article 102 divorce without minor children (180-day waiting period plus processing), 13–16 months for an Article 102 divorce with minor children (365-day waiting period plus processing), and 18–24 months or longer for contested divorces involving community property partition, custody disputes, or spousal support litigation in Louisiana

Documents to Gather

Certified copy of marriage certificate
Government-issued photo identification
Proof of Louisiana domicile
Birth certificates for all minor children
Social Security cards or numbers for all parties
Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement (if applicable)(if applicable)
Protective order or police reports (if applicable)(if applicable)

Financial Documents

Last 3 years of federal and state income tax returns
Last 6 months of pay stubs or proof of income
Bank statements for all accounts (last 12 months)
Retirement account statements (401k, IRA, pension)
Real estate deeds, mortgage statements, and property tax assessments
Vehicle titles, registration, and loan statements
Credit card statements and loan documents
Life insurance and health insurance policy documents
Business financial statements or partnership agreements(if applicable)

Key Steps

1. Before Filing

Verify Domicile and Venue Requirements
Determine the Correct Type of Divorce Filing
Gather Essential Personal and Financial Documents
Create a Safety Plan If Domestic Violence Is Present

2. Filing Process

Obtain and Complete the Petition for Divorce
File the Petition with the Parish Clerk of Court
Serve Your Spouse with the Divorce Petition

3. After Filing

Wait for the Respondent's Answer or Default Period
Complete the Mandatory Waiting Period (Article 102 Only)
File the Rule to Show Cause and Attend the Hearing (Article 102) or Obtain Default Judgment (Article 103)
Address Community Property Partition
Resolve Child Custody, Support, and Visitation Matters
Obtain and Record the Final Judgment of Divorce

Key Deadlines

Request service of petition on respondent90 days after filing the petition

Respondent must file Answer to Petition21 days after service (30 days if written discovery served with petition)

Default judgment cannot be renderedUntil 30 days after affidavit of proof of service is filed

Notice of intent to obtain default judgment (if respondent appeared)At least 7 days before default judgment rendered

File Rule to Show Cause (Article 102 only)After 180 days (no minor children) or 365 days (minor children) from service of petition, and within 2 years of service

File Sworn Detailed Descriptive List (community property partition)45 days from service of partition motion

Traverse or concur in descriptive lists60 days from service of last filed descriptive list

Accounting claims prescription3 years from termination of community property regime

Quick Reference

To file for divorce in Louisiana, you must be domiciled in the state per CCP Article 10(A)(7), with six months of parish residence creating a rebuttable presumption of domicile. Louisiana offers two no-fault divorce types: Article 102 (filed before separation period ends, 180 days without children or 365 days with children counted from service) and Article 103 (filed after separation is complete). Obtain free self-represented litigant forms from the Louisiana State Bar Association at lsba.org. File the notarized petition with the Clerk of Court in the proper parish — filing fees range from $150 to $400 depending on the parish. Serve your spouse via sheriff, process server, or voluntary waiver within 90 days. The respondent has 21 days to file an answer. For Article 103 divorces, a default judgment may be obtained after 30 days from filing proof of service. For Article 102 divorces, file a Rule to Show Cause after the waiting period and present two witnesses at the hearing. Louisiana is a community property state — assets and debts acquired during marriage are divided equally. Child support follows the income shares model under La. RS 9:315. Low-income filers may defer fees by filing an In Forma Pauperis Affidavit under CCP Article 5181.