Louisiana · Divorce and family law

Louisiana Divorce Waiting Period, Residency, and Child Support Rules

No-fault divorce requires living separate and apart for 180 days, or 365 days when minor children of the marriage are involved.

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Answer first, sources attached

Four state rules to check first

The filing timeline and support method can change by state and by the facts. Start with the governing reference points, then confirm the current court procedure.

Timeline

Waiting period and finality

No-fault divorce requires living separate and apart for 180 days, or 365 days when minor children of the marriage are involved.

La. Civ. Code arts. 102, 103, 103.1.

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

Filing jurisdiction

Residency requirement

Louisiana court has jurisdiction over divorce if, at filing, one or both spouses are domiciled in Louisiana.

La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 10(A)(7).

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

Published framework

Child support guideline

Louisiana child support uses statutory child support guidelines and schedule.

La. Rev. Stat. Secs. 9:315 and 9:315.19.

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

Adjustments and inputs

Child support methodology

Income shares method using both parents income, basic obligation schedule, healthcare, childcare, extraordinary expenses, and worksheet adjustments.

La. Rev. Stat. Secs. 9:315, 9:315.8, 9:315.20.

Verified Jul 3, 2026 · Next review by Jul 3, 2027

What changes the answer

The statewide rule is the starting point

  • Service and filing postureA waiting period may run from filing, service, appearance, or another event.
  • County and venueState residency and the correct county are separate questions.
  • Parenting time and incomeSupport calculations can turn on custody time, income definitions, credits, and deviations.
  • Current forms and local rulesCourt forms, scheduling, and required disclosures can change the practical workflow.

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This page reports source-linked state rules and review dates. It does not calculate a deadline, determine eligibility, select a procedure, value a claim, or apply law to an individual situation. Verify the cited authority, local procedure, and current law before relying on a rule.