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Louisiana Family Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: If separate funds was used to purchase a home during marriage is it separate or community

Immediately upon getting married I sold my separate home, then took separate money and purchased a new home while married, my then wife did not and could not contribute she still owned a separate home. Upon sale of her home she moved into the new home i purchased. Is this still considered... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Sep 18, 2024

Arguments can be made that it's separate property or that it's community property. I would suggest you sit down with a community property or family law attorney to specifically discuss this and determine a strategy for what you desire and if it's practical. For example, one needs... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: My father passed in May. He was given documents to sign which was a marriage license less than a week before he died

my father had stage four lung cancer and was heavily medicated the last month of his life. I found out recently that he was not married in a ceremony of any kind but marriage license was signed and turned in less than a week before he passed away and his I’m not gonna call her wife is trying to... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 18, 2024

A Louisiana attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry for the loss of your father. Although some questions on this forum sometimes go unanswered, you could try reposting and including "Probate" and "Estate Planning" as categories.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: Does a mother have the right to take our kid and move from LA to SC without the fathers consent if they're not married?

My daughter and mother live with me. We're not together anymore and she isn't paying rent. My daughter goes to school here and the mother wants to up and leave to SC where her mother lives. There's no abuse or negligence on my part, she wants to move over there because her mother is... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Aug 29, 2024

If this is an issue and/or might become an issue, then the paperwork between you and the mother regarding custody of the child will be important. What does it say as to relocation? If there is non paperwork currently, then I would immediately contact a family law/custody lawyer in your area to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: What are our next steps for adoption of my nephew who we have had sole custody of for a little over a year?

My husband and I have had sole custody of my nephew for a little over a year after my sister’s death. There was no father listed on the birth certificate or in his life, but attempts were made by the courts to locate the supposed father at the time custody was awarded. He never came forward and... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Aug 12, 2024

Here's my suggestion---it sounds like you do not have an attorney and you suggest that cost may be a fact-----I do not know if you previously consulted with an attorney, however my recommendation is that you set up an appointment with an adoption attorney for the purpose of a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: How do you proceed with legal separation/divorce when the only thing you own together is the house
Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Aug 5, 2024

My recommendation is that you should consult with a lawyer to discuss your options and to determine the best way to proceed at this time---that's the best thing to do. In further answer to your question, you can either not seek determination of the commuity property at this time and simply... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Divorce for Louisiana on
Q: Does a finalized divorce void the communal property law in Louisiana?
Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Jul 17, 2024

No. Once the community property is terminated, income and debt you earn/obtain is solely yours moving forward but the already existing community property is still that. If your community property is terminated, then the community property between spouses remain just that, except that you are now... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: Hi. I have a question regarding my MIL being power of attorney over our bank account/ other of my husbands finances?

When me & my husband got married, we got a joint bank account and my mother in law asked to be power of attorney. Not knowing what it all meant I said yes. I am still learning what it all means as of now being that a friend informed me when I bought up the subject, so I was told to ask... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Jun 5, 2024

You have concerns and rightfully so----however, your post is unclear in that you state that your mon asked to be power of attorney and we do not know who has given her power of attorney and to what extent she was given power of attorney. I believe you really should sit down with an attorney to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: How can I obtain a divorce when I don’t know where my husband is and we have been apart for over 30 years?

I have his last known address from 12 years ago.

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on May 28, 2024

If you do not know the whereabouts of your spouse, you can still obtain a divorce but it is more expensive as you have to ask the court to appoint a curator (which would be an attorney) to make reasonable efforts to locate your spouse---it is more expensive because you are responsible to pay the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Louisiana on
Q: A widow whose husband had credit card debt is moving to Missouri from Louisiana is she still responsible for his debt

She is not on any accounts, only he signed

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on May 28, 2024

You should consult with a probate/succession attorney to discuss your rights,obligations and the best way to move forward. Presumably the credit card charges occurred before death and no probate or succession has occurred. I do not know the value of the husband's estate so a meeting with a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Probate for Louisiana on
Q: A widow whose husband had credit card debt is moving to Missouri from Louisiana is she still responsible for his debt

She is not on any accounts, only he signed

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 27, 2024

If a widow's husband had credit card debt and she is not on any of the accounts, she generally isn't responsible for his debt. Since only her husband signed for those debts, they are considered his individual responsibility. This is especially true if the debt was incurred in Louisiana,... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Tax Law and Landlord - Tenant for Louisiana on
Q: i need to remove my brother off property i bought in the succession- louisiana- what form do i need to begin this

i bought brothers out, oct of last yr, 1 brother took a meter from home and attached his name to it and is living in a trailer that was our gmas, whis is dead and the trailer is owned by both of us i believe- he was told to get off property at begining of all this in 2018/2019 but never did

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 17, 2024

In Louisiana, if you want to remove someone from a property you own, you will need to go through the eviction process. Here are the steps you can take:

1. Serve a written notice: Provide your brother with a written notice to vacate the property. In Louisiana, the notice period is typically...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Civil Rights for Louisiana on
Q: My girlfriend lied on me to get a temporary restraining order. I have evidence to prove it

I have video evidence of her saying she kicked me video evidence of her throwing my things out our home and I called the police myself

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 13, 2024

I'm so sorry you're going through this difficult situation. False accusations and wrongful restraining orders can be incredibly stressful and upsetting. It's good that you have video evidence to help support your case.

Here are some steps I would recommend:

1....
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: Hi! My question is if a child have been living with father for 4yrs can he file for complete custody?

The child is 14yrs old and the mother does not provide anything for the child. The child do visit mother. The mother did loose custody of her oldest child and at one time did not have a permanent address. The father provides shelter, food, clothing and transportation for the child. The mother have... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Apr 2, 2024

What do you mean by "complete custody"---also, what does the current custody order provide---what are the terms? If the child is 14 years old, I think the appropraite thing for you to do is to seek a consult with a family lawyer in your area to discuss the specifics of your current... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: To finalize my divorce, do I have to file a motion for judgment of divorce or just the judgment of divorce?
Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Mar 28, 2024

Courts in Louisiana are not 100% uniform in how they will grant a divorce, especially if you are not represented. My advice is to call the local bar association and see if they can provide any assistance to you, or if they can recommend an attorney who will meet/consult with you at a reduced rate... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Personal Injury and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: When divorced a settlement was had . But spouse refused to give my share even when my name as her husband was on the sui

Suit. Judgement was 2014 divorced in 2022 AM I entitled by Ohio law my share.

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Mar 11, 2024

If the settlement has been signed by a Judge as an Order of the Court or a Judgment of the Court, then return to Court and seek enforcement of the Judgment. If you have an attorney representing you then I advise you to contact said attorney about this. If you did not have an attorney, then please... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Custody and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: Hello, what is the likelihood a male may be granted SPLIT or JOINT custody in Louisiana?

Married for 10 years, child is 7 years old, both would be living locally to child's school, no criminal history for both parents, no history of domestic abuse from either parties, no infidelity on either side, everything is under fathers name, father employed as AVP Branch Manager, Wife... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Feb 16, 2024

All cases are different and depend on the specific facts however the Courts prefer that both parents be involved in the life of the child so based on that, the likelihood of joint custody is high. I am not sure what you mean by SPLIT. If you mean SHARED, then the answer remains the same: the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: Divorced. 50/50 on our children’s expenses, only my ex-spouse turns in reimbursement receipts far beyond her means?

In Shreveport, LA. Our judgement says 50/50, but my ex enrolled our kids in stuff neither of us can afford, and she has admitted she has her parents pay her portion of the expensive tuition she chose because she cannot afford it (neither of us can), while still seeking reimbursement from me. What... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Feb 15, 2024

In Shreveport, LA, if your ex-spouse is enrolling your children in activities that neither of you can afford and seeking reimbursement for expenses beyond the agreed terms, your options may include requesting a modification of the existing child support and expense-sharing order. You can petition... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: Divorced. 50/50 on our children’s expenses, only my ex-spouse turns in reimbursement receipts far beyond her means?

In Shreveport, LA. Our judgement says 50/50, but my ex enrolled our kids in stuff neither of us can afford, and she has admitted she has her parents pay her portion of the expensive tuition she chose because she cannot afford it (neither of us can), while still seeking reimbursement from me. What... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Feb 16, 2024

Sounds like you have an Order from the Court detailing this arrangement----if you had a lawyer involved wit this then speak to your lawyer about these concerns. If you are no longer represented, then you should consult with a family lawyer in your area---that lawyer will want to see the Order in... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: Why is child support paused when one requests a modification? How is support determined with commision paying job?
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answered on Feb 8, 2024

In Louisiana, child support may be temporarily paused during a modification request to allow the court time to review the current financial situations of both parents and to ensure that the new child support amount reflects any changes in income, including commissions. For parents with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: Can I divorce my husband I have 2 kids with for free and how long would it take if I give up rights to kids
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answered on Feb 8, 2024

In Louisiana, obtaining a divorce, even with the intention of relinquishing rights to children, may not be entirely free due to court fees and possible attorney costs. However, low-income individuals might qualify for a fee waiver or reduced-cost legal services through legal aid organizations. The... View More

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