Do you offer a free consultation for startups?

Yes. The Rhodes Law Firm offers a free initial consultation — no obligation, no pressure.

What legal services do you offer for startups and entrepreneurs?

We offer corporate formation, contract drafting, outside general counsel, IP protection, regulatory compliance, and investor agreement support for startups in Louisiana and nationally.

Do you handle divorce and child custody cases in Louisiana?

Yes. The Rhodes Law Firm provides compassionate family law representation including divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, spousal support, and adoption throughout Louisiana.

How much does a family law attorney cost in New Orleans?

The Rhodes Law Firm offers a free initial consultation so you can understand your options before making any financial commitment. Contact us at (504) 475-0975 to get started.

Where is The Rhodes Law Firm located?

The firm is based in New Orleans, Louisiana and serves clients statewide and nationally.

How do I contact The Rhodes Law Firm?

Call (504) 475-0975 or schedule a consultation at therhodeslawfirm.com.

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Child Custody & Visitation

The Rhodes Law Firm fights with compassion to protect the best interests of children across Orleans Parish, Jefferson Parish, and St. Charles Parish — including New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, River Ridge, Harahan, Luling, Boutte, and Houma. For us, the well-being of your children is the most important part of any family law issue.

Free Consultation (504) 475-0975

The Rhodes Law Firm fights with compassion to protect the best interests of children. For us, the well-being of your children is the most important part of any family law issue.

In Louisiana, there are two basic components of child custody: physical custody (the time actually spent with each parent) and legal custody (whether custody is shared and the decision-making authority the parent has over their children). The Court weighs a set of factors that have been set out by the Louisiana legislature to determine the child's best interest in establishing both physical and legal custody of the children.

The prevalence of domestic abuse in Louisiana has recently led to changes in the best interest factors which can prevent parents found by a Court to be abusive from having physical custody or decision-making authority over their children.

Factors in Determining Physical and Legal Custody

The court determines custody based on what it believes to be the best interests of the children. The court considers all relevant factors, including the following, as set out in Louisiana Civil Code art. 134, where applicable:

1
The potential for the child to be abused, as defined by Children's Code Article 603, which shall be the primary consideration.
2
The love, affection, and other emotional ties between each party and the child.
3
The capacity and disposition of each party to give the child love, affection, and spiritual guidance and to continue the education and rearing of the child.
4
The capacity and disposition of each party to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care, and other material needs.
5
The length of time the child has lived in a stable, adequate environment, and the desirability of maintaining continuity of that environment.
6
The permanence, as a family unit, of the existing or proposed custodial home or homes.
7
The moral fitness of each party, insofar as it affects the welfare of the child.
8
The history of substance abuse, violence, or criminal activity of any party.
9
The mental and physical health of each party. Evidence that an abused parent suffers from the effects of past abuse by the other parent shall not be grounds for denying that parent custody.
10
The home, school, and community history of the child.
11
The reasonable preference of the child, if the court deems the child to be of sufficient age to express a preference.
12
The willingness and ability of each party to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing relationship between the child and the other party, except when objectively substantial evidence of specific abusive, reckless, or illegal conduct has caused one party to have reasonable concerns for the child's safety or well-being while in the care of the other party.
13
The distance between the respective residences of the parties.
14
The responsibility for the care and rearing of the child previously exercised by each party.

In cases involving a history of committing family violence, as defined in R.S. 9:362, or domestic abuse, as defined in R.S. 46:2132, including sexual abuse, as defined in R.S. 14:403, whether or not a party has sought relief under any applicable law, the court shall determine an award of custody or visitation in accordance with R.S. 9:341 and 364. The court may only find a history of committing family violence if the court finds that one incident of family violence has resulted in serious bodily injury or the court finds more than one incident of family violence.

Custody Modifications & Post-Judgment Matters

A custody order is not necessarily final forever. If there has been a material change in circumstances — a parent's relocation, remarriage, evidence of abuse, substance abuse, or significant changes in the child's needs — either parent may petition the court to modify the existing order. To succeed, the petitioning party must show both a material change in circumstances and that the modification serves the child's best interests.

We also handle emergency custody orders when a child is in immediate danger, parental alienation cases, relocation disputes, and cross-parish and interstate custody matters under the UCCJEA. Whatever your custody situation, The Rhodes Law Firm is prepared to advocate for you and your children in Orleans Parish Civil District Court, the 24th Judicial District Court (Jefferson Parish), and the 29th Judicial District Court (St. Charles Parish).