Step 4: Do it yourself divorce?
Download DIY papers
If you decide to handle your divorce on your own without hiring a lawyer, then it is extremely important that you fill out all the documents carefully and correctly. If there are any mistakes in your documents, your divorce can get delayed. You will need to go to your local judicial branch website and find the divorce forms online.
You are responsible for filing the papers in the correct place and in case you file them in the wrong place, your case can be transferred or thrown out requiring you to start the entire process again. You can use the website of the Judicial Branch of Louisiana to identify every judicial district and the courts which are included in each district.
The courts of Louisiana are organized in a different manner compared to the other states. It has 43 district, 49 city, 3 parish and 5 juvenile or family courts and you need to figure out which is the correct court where you must file your papers. Divorces are usually handled at the district courts and you must file the divorce papers in the parish in which your spouse or you live. If you have any doubts, you can clarify them with the court clerk, although they will not be able to give you legal advice.
Online Divorce Service
If you do not have a lawyer but need help with your divorce documents, you can use an online divorce service. Our favorite online divorce service is 3stepdivorce.com, and they can get you started on filing your paperwork for as little as $84. Online services will help you with the filling of your forms by giving you step-by-step instructions. The final documents will be generated based on your responses to the questions asked depending on your situation. You can then print out the forms, sign them and file them with the county courthouse. You will be charged a fee for creating your documents through their service. Using an online service is an inexpensive and quick option for document preparation and you can be done filling out your paperwork within a few hours(depending on the simplicity and your divorce being uncontested).
Hiring An Attorney
If your spouse and you do not have an agreement on the key issues of your divorce, then your case will go to trial, where a judge will hear your case and resolve the issues. In the case of a divorce trial, both spouses must hire an attorney specializing in divorce cases, who will present the case in court on your behalf, present witness testimonies, etc. a divorce trial is usually quite expensive and also takes a long time.