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Louisiana runs on civil law, not common law — divorce needs 180 days of separation, or a full year when children are involved.

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Templates reviewed for the 2026 filing year · Based on official state forms

Document Templates

Louisiana divorce template samples

Expand a template below to see exactly what's included before you fill it in.

Uncontested Divorce Sample See the full text of the agreement both spouses sign together.

Petition for Divorce — Uncontested

IN THE DISTRICT COURT, [1. Judicial District] JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, PARISH OF [2. Parish], STATE OF LOUISIANA

Docket No: [3. Docket Number]

DIVISION: [4. Court Division]

[5. Petitioner Full Name], Petitioner, vs. [6. Respondent Full Name], Respondent.

Comes now the Petitioner, [5. Petitioner Full Name], who respectfully represents to this Honorable Court:

Jurisdiction and Domicile

Petitioner is domiciled in the State of Louisiana and has maintained domicile for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of this Petition, in accordance with La. Civ. Code art. 10 and La. R.S. 13:4205. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

Marriage Information

The parties were lawfully married on [7. Date of Marriage] in [8. City and State of Marriage], and have lived separate and apart continuously for at least one hundred eighty (180) days, in accordance with La. Civ. Code art. 102. There are no minor children born of or adopted during this marriage.

Grounds for Divorce

The parties have lived separate and apart continuously for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days or more, in accordance with La. Civ. Code art. 102. The marriage should be dissolved.

Community Property and Debt Division

The parties have reached a full and complete agreement regarding the partition of all community property and the settlement of community debts. The terms of this partition are as follows: [9. Property and Debt Division Terms]

Spousal Support

The parties have agreed that spousal support, also known as alimony, shall be as follows: [10. Spousal Support Terms]

Request for Relief

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:

(a) grant a Judgment of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) approve the parties' agreement regarding the partition of community property and debts;
(c) determine spousal support in accordance with the parties' agreement;
(d) restore Petitioner's former name of [11. Former Name], if requested; and
(e) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

Dated: [12. Date of Signing]

Verification

I, [5. Petitioner Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Executed this [13. Execution Date] day of [14. Execution Month, Year], at [15. City and State of Execution].

Contested Divorce Sample See how disputed terms are laid out before you fill anything in.

Petition for Divorce — Contested

IN THE DISTRICT COURT, [1. Judicial District] JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, PARISH OF [2. Parish], STATE OF LOUISIANA

Docket No: [3. Docket Number]

DIVISION: [4. Court Division]

[5. Petitioner Full Name], Petitioner, vs. [6. Respondent Full Name], Respondent.

Comes now the Petitioner, [5. Petitioner Full Name], who respectfully represents to this Honorable Court:

Jurisdiction and Domicile

Petitioner is domiciled in the State of Louisiana and has maintained domicile for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of this Petition, in accordance with La. Civ. Code art. 10 and La. R.S. 13:4205. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

Marriage Information

The parties were lawfully married on [7. Date of Marriage] in [8. City and State of Marriage], and have lived separate and apart continuously for at least one hundred eighty (180) days, in accordance with La. Civ. Code art. 102. There are no minor children born of or adopted during this marriage.

Grounds for Divorce

The parties have lived separate and apart continuously for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days or more, in accordance with La. Civ. Code art. 102. The marriage should be dissolved.

Community Property and Debt Division

The parties are unable to agree on the partition of their community property and the settlement of community debts. Petitioner requests that this Court order the partition of the parties' community property and debts. The relevant community assets and liabilities include: [9. Property and Debt Description]

Spousal Support

The parties are unable to agree on spousal support. Petitioner requests that the Court award spousal support in accordance with the factors set forth in La. Civ. Code art. 112. Relevant facts include: [10. Spousal Support Facts]

Request for Relief

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:

(a) grant a Judgment of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) order the partition of the parties' community property and debts;
(c) award spousal support as the Court deems appropriate;
(d) restore Petitioner's former name of [11. Former Name], if requested; and
(e) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

Dated: [12. Date of Signing]

Verification

I, [5. Petitioner Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Executed this [13. Execution Date] day of [14. Execution Month, Year], at [15. City and State of Execution].

Uncontested Divorce with Children Sample See the agreement plus the parenting plan section in full.

Petition for Divorce — Uncontested with Children

IN THE DISTRICT COURT, [1. Judicial District] JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, PARISH OF [2. Parish], STATE OF LOUISIANA

Docket No: [3. Docket Number]

DIVISION: [4. Court Division]

[5. Petitioner Full Name], Petitioner, vs. [6. Respondent Full Name], Respondent.

Comes now the Petitioner, [5. Petitioner Full Name], who respectfully represents to this Honorable Court:

Jurisdiction and Domicile

Petitioner is domiciled in the State of Louisiana and has maintained domicile for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of this Petition, in accordance with La. Civ. Code art. 10 and La. R.S. 13:4205. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

Marriage Information

The parties were lawfully married on [7. Date of Marriage] in [8. City and State of Marriage], and have lived separate and apart continuously for at least one hundred eighty (180) days, in accordance with La. Civ. Code art. 102.

There are [9. Number of Children] minor child(ren) born of or adopted during this marriage: [10. Children Names and Birthdates].

Grounds for Divorce

The parties have lived separate and apart continuously for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days or more, in accordance with La. Civ. Code art. 102. The marriage should be dissolved.

Custody and Parenting Plan

The parties have reached a full agreement regarding joint custody and a parenting plan for the minor child(ren), in accordance with the best interests of the child(ren) under La. Civ. Code art. 131. The agreed parenting plan is as follows: [11. Parenting Plan Terms]

Child Support

The parties have reached an agreement on child support consistent with the Louisiana Child Support Guidelines (La. R.S. 9:315). The agreed monthly child support amount is [12. Child Support Amount], payable by [13. Paying Parent] to [14. Receiving Parent]. Additional terms: [15. Child Support Additional Terms]

Medical and Childcare Expenses

Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses for the minor child(ren) shall be shared as follows: [16. Medical and Childcare Terms]

Community Property and Debt Division

The parties have reached a full and complete agreement regarding the partition of all community property and the settlement of community debts. The terms of this partition are as follows: [17. Property and Debt Division Terms]

Spousal Support

The parties have agreed that spousal support shall be as follows: [18. Spousal Support Terms]

Request for Relief

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:

(a) grant a Judgment of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) approve the parties' Parenting Plan regarding joint custody;
(c) order child support in accordance with the parties' agreement and the Louisiana Child Support Guidelines;
(d) approve the parties' partition of community property and debts;
(e) restore Petitioner's former name of [19. Former Name], if requested; and
(f) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

Dated: [20. Date of Signing]

Verification

I, [5. Petitioner Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Executed this [21. Execution Date] day of [22. Execution Month, Year], at [23. City and State of Execution].

Contested Divorce with Children Sample See how custody and parenting terms appear in the full document.

Petition for Divorce — Contested with Children

IN THE DISTRICT COURT, [1. Judicial District] JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, PARISH OF [2. Parish], STATE OF LOUISIANA

Docket No: [3. Docket Number]

DIVISION: [4. Court Division]

[5. Petitioner Full Name], Petitioner, vs. [6. Respondent Full Name], Respondent.

Comes now the Petitioner, [5. Petitioner Full Name], who respectfully represents to this Honorable Court:

Jurisdiction and Domicile

Petitioner is domiciled in the State of Louisiana and has maintained domicile for at least six (6) months immediately preceding the filing of this Petition, in accordance with La. Civ. Code art. 10 and La. R.S. 13:4205. This Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter of this action.

Marriage Information

The parties were lawfully married on [7. Date of Marriage] in [8. City and State of Marriage], and have lived separate and apart continuously for at least one hundred eighty (180) days, in accordance with La. Civ. Code art. 102.

There are [9. Number of Children] minor child(ren) born of or adopted during this marriage: [10. Children Names and Birthdates].

Grounds for Divorce

The parties have lived separate and apart continuously for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days or more, in accordance with La. Civ. Code art. 102. The marriage should be dissolved.

Custody and Parenting Time

The parties are unable to agree on custody or a parenting plan for the minor child(ren). Petitioner requests that the Court award custody and establish a parenting plan in accordance with the best interests of the child(ren) under La. Civ. Code art. 131. Relevant facts include: [11. Custody Dispute Facts]

Child Support

The parties are unable to agree on child support. Petitioner requests that the Court order child support in accordance with the Louisiana Child Support Guidelines (La. R.S. 9:315). Relevant facts include: [12. Child Support Facts]

Medical, Dental, and Childcare Expenses

Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses for the minor child(ren) shall be allocated as follows, or as the Court determines appropriate: [13. Medical and Childcare Terms]

Community Property and Debt Division

The parties are unable to agree on the partition of their community property and the settlement of community debts. Petitioner requests that the Court order the partition of the parties' community property and debts. The relevant community assets and liabilities include: [14. Property and Debt Description]

Spousal Support

The parties are unable to agree on spousal support. Petitioner requests that the Court award spousal support as the Court deems appropriate. Relevant facts include: [15. Spousal Support Facts]

Request for Relief

WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests that this Court:

(a) grant a Judgment of Divorce dissolving the marriage of the parties;
(b) determine custody and establish a parenting plan in the best interests of the minor child(ren);
(c) order child support in accordance with the Louisiana Child Support Guidelines;
(d) order the partition of the parties' community property and debts;
(e) award spousal support as the Court deems appropriate;
(f) restore Petitioner's former name of [16. Former Name], if requested; and
(g) grant such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

Dated: [17. Date of Signing]

Verification

I, [5. Petitioner Full Name], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Executed this [18. Execution Date] day of [19. Execution Month, Year], at [20. City and State of Execution].

By Sarah Brooks Founder · Editor
Editorial Team Research & plain-language review
At a Glance

Louisiana divorce at a glance

Residency requirement Domicile (6-month presumption)
Waiting period 180 days (365 with children)
Filing fee $200–$410
Grounds accepted 180-day separation (no-fault)
Official forms No standard numbers (Art. 102/103 petitions)

Confirm with your county before filing — fees and rules can vary.

Overview

Divorce in Louisiana: the civil law difference

Louisiana is the only state in the country whose divorce law descends from the French civil code rather than English common law, and that changes how the process works. Instead of a single no-fault ground, the Civil Code gives you two: Article 102 requires 180 days of living separate and apart, while Article 103 requires a full 365 days. If you have minor children, the longer clock applies.

The Petition for Divorce is filed with the District Court in the parish where you live — Louisiana uses parishes, not counties. The state is a community property jurisdiction, so income and assets acquired during the marriage are partitioned equally unless you agree otherwise. Property division is handled through a formal partition proceeding, which is its own step in the case.

Alimony follows Article 112 of the Civil Code, and child support follows the Louisiana Child Support Guidelines under La. R.S. 9:315. Custody is decided under the best interests standard in Article 131. Because the separation periods are fixed, planning the filing date around the clock matters more here than in most states. Filing fees run about $200 to $410 depending on the parish.

Official court source: Louisiana Supreme Court