Registering Out-Of-State Custody Judgments In Louisiana
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Registering An Out of State Custody Order In Louisiana
When you have a child custody judgment from another state and you want to enforce it in Louisiana you will need to register the order with the Louisiana court system. The process is governed by the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) and the Louisiana Children's Code.
To register an out-of-state custody judgment in Louisiana, you will need to file a petition with the Louisiana court that has jurisdiction over the child custody matter. This may be the court in the parish where the child currently resides or where the custodial parent resides.
In your petition, you will need to provide a certified copy of the out-of-state custody judgment, along with any relevant documents, such as a parenting plan or a child support order. You will also need to provide information about the parties involved, including the names and addresses of the parents and the child.
Once your petition is filed, the court will review the custody judgment and determine whether it meets the requirements for registration under Louisiana law. If the court finds that the judgment is valid and enforceable, it will issue an order recognizing the out-of-state custody order as a valid judgment in Louisiana.
Once the out-of-state custody judgment is registered in Louisiana, it has the same legal effect as a custody judgment issued by a Louisiana court. This means that it can be enforced through Louisiana's court system, and any violations of the custody order can result in legal consequences.
How To Register An Out-Of-State Child Custody Order
How To Register An Out-Of-State Child Custody Order
You can use this form letter to request to register an out-of-state custody order.
Steps To Register An Out-Of-State Child Custody Order
You need to get a certified copy of the child custody order from the court that issued it. This can usually be done by contacting the clerk of the court and requesting a copy of the document.
Prepare a "Petition for Registration of Foreign Child Custody Order," which is a document that you will file with the Louisiana court. The document will include information about the out-of-state child custody order, such as the names of the parties involved, the child's name and date of birth, and the terms of the custody order.
File your petition with the appropriate court. The Petition for Registration of Foreign Child Custody Order should get filed with the Louisiana court that has jurisdiction over the child custody matter. This may be the court in the parish where the child currently lives or where the custodial parent lives. There might be a filing fee to register this order. If you think you cannot afford it, then you can file and ask the court to delay costs. Learn more about delaying court fees when you file here.
Once the petition gets filed, you will need to serve notice on the other party (the non-custodial parent) in accordance with Louisiana law. This typically involves mailing a copy of the petition to the other party by certified mail or having a sheriff's deputy serve them with the petition in person. Learn more about service of process here.
Once the other party has been served with notice, the court may set a hearing date for the parties to appear and present their arguments. At the hearing, the court will review the petition and the out-of-state child custody order to determine if it meets the requirements for registration under Louisiana law.
The out-of-state custody order may get confirmed without a hearing if the other party does not object and schedules a hearing by the deadline.