Custody
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Louisiana Civil Legal Navigator
Not sure where to start your legal research? Try the Louisiana Civil Legal Navigator. Answer a few questions about yourself and your situation to get customized legal information, local court forms, referrals to legal aid, and more. Available for Divorce, Child Custody, Employment Law, and private Landlord-Tenant Law.
A Guide to Child Custody in Louisiana
This comprehensive guide to child custody in Louisiana covers: Understanding Child Custody, Establishing Child Custody, Modifying Child Custody, and Exercising + Enforcing Child Custody. The guide includes information on paternity, relocation, contempt, failure to exercise or allow custody, the standards for changing child custody judgments, and much more.
Custody and Visitation Rights for Grandparents
Video and answers to Frequently Asked Questions about custody and visitation rights for grandparents.
How Can I Move My Child's Home in Louisiana?
Before a parent relocates, or moves a child's home outside of the state of Louisiana, or more than 75 miles away, there is a legal process that must be followed. The answers to these frequently asked questions about relocation can help parents understand that process.
Name Change in Louisiana After Divorce
This resource explains the name change process after a divorce.
About Contempt of Court and Enforcing Court Orders
This resource explains the basics of contempt of court and enforcing court orders.
Child Custody and Juvenile Court Jurisdiction
When there is an open juvenile court case, a parent or guardian should know that the district court judge deciding a divorce or custody case may have limited power to make orders relating to the child who is subject to the juvenile court case. As this article explains, the juvenile court judge will still have the power to make orders relating to custody in certain kinds of cases.
Provisional Custody by Mandate
This guide has basic information about provisional custody by mandate in Louisiana. There is also a link to a computer program that will create a form for provisional custody by mandate. Warning: depending on your situation, you may need additional forms or different forms. This guide and the form do not cover provisional custody by mandate for any other state. The computer program includes the basic form. The guide and the computer program do not tell you what form you need for your particular situation or how to use the form. If you do not know which form or form or forms you need or how to use your form or forms, try to find a lawyer to help you with your case.
Understanding the Best Interest of the Child
Louisiana courts use the "best interest of the child" standard to determine custody. This article lays out the factors that make up the "best interest of the child" test used by the courts and explains how the factors can influence a judge's decision on custody.
What You Should Know about Custody
Frequently asked questions and answers about custody issues.
What is Emergency Ex Parte Custody?
In some cases, there may be a need for a court order relating to child custody before the other parent or party can be heard before the Court. A custody order entered before the other party has an opportunity to respond is called "ex parte," and they are available in limited, usually emergency, circumstances.
Getting Help From the Court in Your Custody Case
In a child custody case, parents may need to ask the Court for help to make sure that important issues are thoroughly considered. This article discusses asking the Court for help related to a parent's drug use, mental health issues, or unwillingness to come to an agreement about issues relating to the child.
Modify Prior Voluntary Transfer of Custody
Sample motion and consent order for use in a state district court, when both parents agree to change physical/legal custody of a minor child.
Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP)
Information about the Kinship Care subsidy program from the state agency. KCSP provides cash assistance of $222 per month for each eligible child who resides with a qualified relative other than a parent. A child may meet the eligibility requirements for both the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) and Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP) but may only receive assistance in one program.
Who Gets Custody? Who Pays Support?
Information provided by the Lousiana State Bar Association on the grounds for divorce, information on child custody and visitation, relocation of the child, child and spousal support, and property rights.