ADOPTIONS
Our firm can fully assist with any Intrafamily adoptions needed, such as a spouse or any other family member adopting a child.
CHILD CUSTODY
In Louisiana, for most cases, the parties will have joint custody with one of the parents named the domiciliary parent. In extreme cases, a party can be awarded sole custody with the opposite party having highly supervised, restricted, or no visitation. Restricted and supervised visitation can also occur in a joint custody situation.
MEDIATION
This is an extremely productive dispute resolution method that is strongly preferred by the court and statistically works for the parties. This process saves the parties a tremendous amount of time, stress, and money. Our firm can assist with mediations that are either court-ordered or the parties can contact the office and schedule a voluntary mediation. The first mediation session will be a minimum of two hours long whether it is court-ordered or voluntary. If more time is needed, the parties can schedule a second mediation.
PATERNITY SUITS/NAME CHANGE
The court has the authority to order DNA testing if the parties do not voluntarily agree. If paternity is confirmed, there are certain situations where the minor child’s name can be changed, however, in some situations, the child’s name cannot be changed. Our firm can also assist with adult name changes if desired.
CHILD SUPPORT/SPOUSAL SUPPORT
Child Support- if the parties do not reach their own agreement on how to financially support the child, the court uses a mathematical formula to calculate child support based upon the parties’ gross incomes. The formula is extremely easy to use and it produces a number that Louisiana Law concludes should be owed based on the parties’ financial situations. Spousal Support- Unlike child support, there is not a nice program, instead, the court evaluates spousal support with Income/ Expense Affidavits that each party has to complete. There are two types of spousal support- interim and permanent. The obligation to pay interim support runs to the divorce and then automatically for six more months.
PREMARITAL AND POST MARITAL AGREEMENTS
Premarital Agreements must be signed and filed before the parties get married. They can consist of complete exclusion of a community property regime or the parties can create a quasi-community/quasi separate regime. A post-marital agreement can be done after the marriage, in this situation parties are typically choosing to eliminate community property and to thereafter be separate in the property. A post-marital agreement does require court approval as well as the parties appearing in court.
WILLS/SUCCESSIONS
Our firm prepares Last Will and Testaments. During a consultation, Todd can explain all aspects related to a Will and in most cases, he can draft the Will at the same meeting.
Successions- Our firm can assist whether the Succession is Intestate (no will) or Testate (the person had a will). In most instances, as long as the family members are civil, this can be done at a flat fee and within an expedited time.
