At Southern Oaks Law Firm, our Lafayette divorce attorney knows that from the moment you decide to dissolve your marriage — or if your spouse has decided for you — what’s next is going to be a stressful and emotional experience. During this life-changing transition, it is natural for clients to feel overwhelmed, scared, and confused.
Fortunately, you do not have to fear the unknown, nor endure the anxiety and stress caused by the divorce process, alone. That is why we are here.
Our Lafayette Parish divorce attorneys provide customized legal solutions for Louisiana residents, regardless of their age, race, nationality, religion, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation, so they can navigate through these difficult times with confidence, dignity, and grace.
Our team shares some of our clients’ personal experiences, including those of an unmarried dad navigating and enforcing child custody rights, a married father solidifying the well-being of a blended family, and a mother that has been through the divorce process. These real-life experiences allow us to directly connect with our clients and provide compassionate client service and tailored solutions meant to secure a fresh start for their future.
Our family lawyers will listen to each detail of your story, and actually hear you, because we are you. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial impact divorce, child custody, and property division matters have on your personal and professional life because we have been there too.
We produce real results for real people, no matter their family law journeys, because every step you take from this point forward matters. And because it matters to you, it matters to us.
Nobody benefits from staying in a toxic marriage riddled with irreconcilable differences. Sometimes it is in the best interest of all parties involved to simply move on in an amicable and mature manner. It’s not easy and it’s not painless, but with solid legal guidance, it’s not the end of the world. At the Southern Oaks Law Firm, our Lafayette divorce lawyer can help you move through the process as quickly and easily as possible.
We know that going through a divorce is a stressful and emotional process. It’s a challenging time for you, your spouse, your children, and your extended family. However, getting divorced can also be a new chapter in your life — a chance for new beginnings.
At Southern Oaks Law Firm, our mission is to facilitate fresh starts for our clients, by providing them with the education, support, and guidance they need to make it through the divorce process and move forward with their lives in a healthier and happier way.
What are the Basics of a Louisiana Divorce?
A divorce is simply a legal proceeding to end your marriage. In Louisiana, there are several different grounds for obtaining a divorce.
Most divorce proceedings are “no-fault” divorces based on simply living separate and apart for a prescribed time.
A Louisiana family law judge can grant a no-fault divorce if you and your spouse have lived separate and apart continuously for at least 180 days if you and your spouse do not have a child together under 18 years old — or 365 days if you and your spouse have a child together under 18 years old.
Other “fault-based” grounds may allow you to get divorced without the requirement of living separate and apart.
What are the Reasons for a Fault-Based Divorce in Louisiana?
Other divorces are not based on living separate and apart for a set amount of time, but instead on proof of certain fault-based grounds set forth in the Louisiana Civil Code. You may be entitled to a fault-based divorce if:
Your spouse has committed adultery.
Your spouse has committed a felony and been sentenced to death or imprisonment at hard labor.
Your spouse physically or sexually abused you, your child, or your spouse’s child.
You obtained a protective order or an injunction against your spouse to protect you, your child, or your spouse’s child, from abuse.
The law considers fault-based divorces to be “immediate” in the sense that there is no separation period required before a court can issue a judgment of divorce. However, normal procedural requirements and time delays still apply depending on the specific grounds alleged in your fault-based divorce proceedings.
Which Louisiana Divorce is Right For Me?
Deciding which type of divorce to file depends on several factors that must be considered by the spouses based on their unique circumstances.
Those factors include the length of time you have already been separated, the specific fault-based grounds for divorce and the proof required, and the potential for one of the parties to owe spousal support to the other. Before filing for a Louisiana divorce, it is always wise to consult with an experienced, local divorce attorney to discuss your options.
Which Other Issues Are Addressed in a Louisiana Divorce?
Regardless of the circumstances of your divorce, a number of incidental matters may or may not need to be addressed.
Can One Louisiana Family Law Firm Manage My Entire Divorce Case?
At Southern Oaks Law Firm, we provide full-service family law representation, meaning we offer comprehensive legal advice, guidance, and solutions for all aspects of your family law case.
In most cases, our fellow Louisiana residents are unsure what their family law needs entail, which is exactly why we are here. We will work with you to identify and strategically outline each aspect of your case that needs to be addressed — including divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, the division of community property, and other issues that may arise in your case — without leaving a single detail to chance.
Allow us to give your story the voice it deserves to pursue real results inside and outside the courtroom, so your future begins now.
We have successfully managed hundreds of family law cases. Because of that, we know that no two families are alike, nor do they have the same family law needs. Although we may not all look alike, we understand that partnering with the right Louisiana family lawyer is an important decision that will help shape your future.
Don’t Face Divorce Alone
Nobody benefits from staying in a toxic marriage riddled with irreconcilable differences. Sometimes it is in the best interest of all parties involved to simply move on in an amicable and mature manner. It’s not easy and it’s not painless, but with solid legal guidance, it’s not the end of the world. Southern Oaks Law Firm can help you move forward.
We know that going through a divorce is a stressful and emotional process. It’s a challenging time for you, your spouse, your children and your extended family. However, getting divorced can also be a new chapter in your life — a chance for new beginnings. Regardless of the circumstances of your divorce, many decisions need to be made that will impact everyone’s lives moving forward. They include:
Property division
Spousal support
Child custody
Child support
Injunctive Relief – Injunctions, Temporary use of community movables, Temporary use and occupancy of family home.
At Southern Oaks Law Firm, Lafayette family law attorney Taylor Fontenot and his staff have the knowledge and experience needed to provide you guidance along the way. Continue reading to see how we can help with your divorce and other matters that may arise in your case.
Lafayette, Louisiana Divorce Basics
In Louisiana, there are several different grounds for obtaining a divorce. Most divorce proceedings are “no-fault” divorces based on simply living separate and apart for a prescribed period of time. Other “fault-based” grounds may allow you to get divorced without the requirement of living separate and apart.
Lafayette, Louisiana No-Fault Divorce
A “no-fault” divorce may be obtained after you and your spouse live separate and apart, without reconciling, for a certain period of time depending on whether or not you have minor children of the marriage. If there are minor children, you must live separate and apart for at least 365 days before you can get divorced. If there are no minor children, you only have to live separate and apart for 180 days.
Lafayette, Louisiana Fault-Based Divorce
Other grounds for divorce are not based on living separate and apart for a set amount of time, but instead on proof of certain grounds set forth in the Louisiana Civil Code. Those include:
The other spouse has committed a felony and has been sentenced to death or imprisonment at hard labor.
During the marriage, the other spouse physically or sexually abused the spouse seeking a divorce, or a child of one of the spouses.
A protective order or an injunction was issued during the marriage against the other spouse to protect the spouse seeking the divorce, or a child of one of the spouses, from abuse.
Which Divorce is Right For You
Deciding which type of divorce to file depends on a number of different factors that need to be considered. Those factors include things such as the length of time you have already been separated, the specific fault-based grounds for divorce and the proof required, and the potential for one of the parties to owe spousal support to the other. Before filing for a Louisiana divorce, it is always wise to consult with an experienced, local divorce attorney to discuss your options.
Contact Our Skilled Divorce Attorneys in Lafayette, Louisiana Today
At Southern Oaks Law Firm, our forward-thinking family lawyers and support staff know where you are in life right now is hard. No matter who you are or what your legal journey entails, we are here to help you pursue a positive outcome for you and your family. We take a sincere approach to help our clients move forward as smoothly as possible with sustainable legal solutions that fit their unique needs.
Contact our divorce attorneys in Lafayette, Louisiana today by calling 337-704-7255 or online to discuss your legal journey with someone who cares about your future.
Don’t Wait; Contact Us Today
If you have questions about family law, we are here to help. We understand how important family is. Many factors go into each case and our attention to detail is something everyone will benefit from. Contact our office in Lafayette today at 337-704-7255 or fill out our online contact form.
Ways to take care of your children’s mental health during your divorce
It can be very difficult for children to weather their parents’ divorce. They may not fully understand the factors that are causing the divorce, and it may be hard for...
Safety tips for pedestrians walking near the street
Pedestrians face a high level of danger when walking near traffic. In fact, some reports have shown that this risk level has increased source in recent years, with pedestrian fatalities...
How does the court determine the best interests of a child?
Child custody can be heavily contested during a divorce or separation. It can be heartbreaking to learn that the court will determine how much time you will spend with your...
When it was time to revisit an outdated court order, I leaned on Taylor to get us through the process quickly and with the least possible amount of stress. Thanks to his patience and ability to diffuse a room-full of tension, we were able to come to a fair agreement that spared everyone an ugly court battle. He was attentive and informative throughout the process, and did a great job of putting my mind at ease. Looking back, I can truly say that Taylor saved a very special day for our family and I’m forever grateful for everything he did to resolve all of our concerns.
– Melody W
I met Taylor about a year ago for a custody modification issue i had been dealing with for quiet a few years. I had been thru the courts several times with no resolution. I didnt know which way to turn any longer. I contacted his office and made an appointment to meet with him. After speaking with him, i was confident and instantly knew what I had to do. I hired him immediately. He is courteous, honest and professional. He listened, he researched the history and he got me a resolution that i was comfortable with. I am so grateful for Taylor Fontenot.
– Tracy R
Great people, they keep in contact and act promptly with real information and answers.
Best of all you feel like a person when you’re in contact and they offer reasonable prices for serious consultation.
– Jacob B
It was not a hard decision to use this law firm. Taylor is a great attorney and I am glad I used him for my legal needs.
– Suzanne B
After researching attorneys for several weeks, we decided to go with Taylor Fontenot and can say it was the best decision we made. Taylor is professional yet down to earth, he is knowledgable and resolved our matter in an amazingly quick amount of time and kept in touch with us throughout the entire process.
– candy B
I could not ask for better lawyer!! Taylor took time to get to know my fiancée and I and the whole situation. It did not feel like going with a big company to where you feel like you’re just another pay check to them. He was very understanding and definitely worth it. Definitely recommend Taylor to anyone who needs an attorney. Highly recommend!
– BRANDON F
From the initial consultation, Taylor was very helpful with our situation. Every phone call and email was returned promptly and he was very helpful throughout the entire process. Being out of state, I wasn’t expecting the best service or even an easy outcome but I was wrong. I hope we never need this service again but if we do, we know exactly who to call.
– NICOLE B
Caring, Strategic, Attentive – And Focused On You!
