# Southern Oaks Law Firm

> A Lafayette, Louisiana family law firm serving the Acadiana region, focused exclusively on Louisiana family law. The firm handles divorce, child custody and support, community property partition, spousal support, and adoption, and is notably committed to serving LGBTQ+ clients (same-sex adoptions and divorce, name changes, amended birth certificates). The firm takes a "settlement first" approach, aiming to resolve matters efficiently while remaining trial-ready.

The firm is led by attorney Taylor Fontenot, who clerked for the 20th Judicial District Court and worked at large Lafayette personal injury firms before founding his own practice in March 2016 and later dedicating it solely to family law after his own contested custody case. The team also includes attorneys Logan Istre and Rachel Fontenot. The firm emphasizes personal attention, having "walked in your shoes," and tailored solutions for every client.

- Office: 321 W Main Street, Suite 2G, Lafayette, LA 70501
- Phone: 337-704-7255
- Service area: Lafayette and the greater Acadiana region, with representation available throughout Louisiana.

Key Louisiana family law context the firm's matters commonly involve:
- Community property: Louisiana is a community property state, so assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally split equally on divorce, which makes community property partition a frequent issue.
- No-fault divorce: Louisiana allows no-fault divorce after the spouses have lived separate and apart for a required period (generally 180 days with no minor children, or 365 days when minor children are involved), in addition to fault-based grounds.
- Child custody: the paramount consideration in any custody determination is the best interest of the child.

## Firm Overview

- [Home](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/): Firm overview and Louisiana family law basics.
- [About](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/about/): Firm history, values, and approach.
- [Meet the Team](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/meet-the-team/): Attorney and staff directory.
- [Blog](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/blog/): Articles on Louisiana family law.
- [Contact](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/contact/): Consultation request and office details.
- [Lafayette Law Office](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/lafayette-law-office/): Office location and map.

## Attorneys

- [Taylor Fontenot](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/fontenot-taylor-osborn/): Founder; biography and credentials.
- [Logan Istre](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/logan-istre/): Attorney; biography and credentials.
- [Rachel Fontenot](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/rachel-fontenot/): Attorney; biography and credentials.

## Practice Areas

- [Divorce](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/lafayette-divorce-lawyer/): Divorce and dissolution representation.
- [Child Custody](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/lafayette-child-custody-lawyer/): Custody and visitation matters.
- [Child Support](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/lafayette-child-support-lawyer/): Child support matters.
- [Adoption](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/lafayette-adoption-lawyer/): Adoption, including stepchild, foster, and agency adoptions.

## Divorce Subtypes

- [Community Property Partitions](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/lafayette-community-property-partitions-lawyer/): Division of community property.
- [Spousal Support](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/lafayette-spousal-support-lawyer/): Spousal support / alimony matters.

## Child Custody Subtypes

- [Custody Modifications](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/lafayette-child-custody-lawyer/custody-modifications/): Modifying existing custody orders.
- [Emergency ("Ex Parte") Custody](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/lafayette-child-custody-lawyer/emergency-ex-parte-custody/): Emergency custody orders.
- [Legal Custody: Joint vs. Sole](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/lafayette-child-custody-lawyer/legal-custody-joint-v-sole-custody/): Joint versus sole legal custody.
- [Physical Custody](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/lafayette-child-custody-lawyer/physical-custody/): Physical custody arrangements.

## Optional

- [Site Map](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/site-map/): Full index of site pages.
- [Disclaimer](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/disclaimer/): Legal disclaimer.
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/privacy-policy/): Site privacy policy.
- [Sitemap index](https://www.southernoakslaw.com/sitemap_index.xml)