Orleans Parish Family Court Guide

Prepare Your Petition

A petition for divorce or other family law relief must be properly drafted and verified. The petition must identify the parties, the grounds for the action, and the relief requested. An attorney ensures the petition is complete and legally sufficient.

File With the Clerk of Civil District Court

File the petition at the Clerk's office at 421 Loyola Avenue or through Louisiana's electronic filing system (LaFileEFile). Pay the required filing fees at the time of filing.

Service of Process

The other party must be personally served with the petition and citation by a process server or the Orleans Parish Sheriff's office. Proper service is required before the court has jurisdiction over the other party.

Await Assignment to a Division

Cases are assigned to a division and judge. The assigned division and judge will be noted on the citation and subsequent court documents.

Request Interim Relief (If Needed)

If you need immediate temporary orders for custody, support, or use of the marital home, file a rule for interim relief. The court can schedule a hearing within weeks of filing.

Attend Hearings and/or Trial

Contested matters proceed through discovery, hearings on disputed motions, and ultimately trial if the parties cannot reach settlement. Uncontested matters are resolved by consent judgment without a trial.