Co-Parenting App for Louisiana Parents

What Louisiana courts consider in custody decisions

Louisiana courts evaluate 14 factors under Civil Code Article 134, with the potential for child abuse designated as the primary consideration. Other factors include the love and emotional ties between each parent and child, each parent's capacity for love/affection/spiritual guidance, the length of time the child has lived in a stable environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity, the moral fitness of each parent, the history of substance abuse or violence, each parent's willingness to facilitate a relationship with the other parent, the distance between the parents' residences, and the responsibility for care and rearing previously exercised by each parent.

How the custody process works in Louisiana

Louisiana strongly favors joint custody and uniquely designates one parent as the 'domiciliary parent' who has primary physical custody and authority over day-to-day decisions, while major decisions remain subject to court review. Cases are heard in District Court. A joint custody implementation order under La. Rev. Stat. § 9:335 must allocate time periods to ensure frequent and continuing contact with both parents. Mediation is not mandatory statewide, but many parishes require it in contested custody cases before trial.

Key Louisiana custody statutes

• La. Civ. Code art. 132
• La. Civ. Code art. 134
• La. Rev. Stat. § 9:335