111 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville, Louisiana, 70448
Practice Areas : Estate Planning
2820 Jackson Street, Alexandria, Louisiana, 71301
Practice Areas : Family Law
143 East Main St, New Roads, Louisiana, 70760
Practice Areas : Asbestos & Mesothelioma
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Family law covers the legal side of family relationships: custody and parenting time, child and spousal support, paternity, adoption, guardianship, prenuptial agreements, modifications of existing orders and enforcement when the other side stops complying.
Some of it is paperwork. Most of it is negotiation, and a good family lawyer spends more time narrowing the dispute than arguing it. Courts decide custody on the child's best interests, a standard that gives judges wide discretion — which is exactly why how a case is presented matters so much.
Before you hire
- Ask how the attorney handles high-conflict matters, and whether they push for mediation or collaborative resolution first. Litigated custody fights are slow and expensive.
- Most family lawyers bill hourly against a retainer. Ask for the hourly rate, the retainer amount, and what happens when it runs down.
- Bring documents to the first meeting: existing orders, income records, a timeline of parenting arrangements. It shortens the consultation and sharpens the advice.
Divorce, domestic violence and juvenile matters have their own sections in this directory if your case is squarely one of those.
Family Law: frequently asked questions
How many years do you have to live together for a common law marriage?
There is no number of years. The widely repeated idea that living together for seven years creates a marriage is false in every US state. What matters is whether the couple agreed to be married and held themselves out as spouses in a state that recognizes such marriages — that can happen in a month, or never.
What is common law marriage?
A common law marriage is a legally valid marriage created without a license or ceremony. Where it is recognized, a couple must live together, agree that they are married, and present themselves publicly as spouses. It carries the same legal effect as any other marriage — including the need for a divorce to end it.
What is family law?
Family law governs the legal relationships within a family: marriage and divorce, custody and parenting time, child and spousal support, property division, adoption, guardianship, paternity, and protection from domestic violence. It is almost entirely state law, so the rules change at every state line.
Which states recognize common law marriage?
Only a minority of US states still create common law marriages: Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah and the District of Columbia, with New Hampshire recognizing them only for inheritance. Several others honor marriages formed before a cut-off date, and every state recognizes one validly formed elsewhere.