How to File Your Own Divorce in Alexandria, Louisiana

You can file your own divorce without an attorney in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Divorce costs money no matter how it is done. Filing your own divorce in Alexandria, Louisiana is considerably cheaper than using an attorney. If you have extensive property or minor children, filing your own divorce may not be the way to go and all states recommend that you at least consult an attorney before any divorce. However, if you and your spouse are in agreement, are childless and have little property to divide, filing your own divorce may make more economic sense.

Instructions

1. 

   Live in Alexandria, Louisiana for a year so you can file your own divorce.

   Establish residency in Alexandria, Louisiana to file your own divorce. You must have lived in Louisiana for at least 12 months prior to filing for divorce. In addition, you must live in Rapides Parish to file for divorce in Alexandria, Louisiana.

2. 

   Live separately for six months.

   Separate for at least six months. Louisiana law requires that all couples live apart for six months prior to filing for divorce. Keep a residence in Alexandria, Louisiana during separation so that you can file for divorce there.

3. Decide on your grounds for divorce. Louisiana does provide for no-fault divorce, but those in covenant marriages face extra complications. Grounds for ending a covenant marriage include adultery, felony conviction and abandonment. Physical or sexual abuse also constitutes grounds for filing for divorce. If you are in a covenant marriage, you will need proof to establish these grounds after you file so consider which grounds suit your particular situation best.

4. Complete copies of the petition to dissolve a marriage and summons to notify your spouse. The Rapides Parish Court Clerk (see Resources) may be able to provide you with the proper forms. If not available through the court, the proper forms can be found in a law library. Indicate how you want your spouse served on the summons form -- service by postal mail is the cheapest option. If you do not know where your spouse is, a newspaper ad can be used to serve notice of the divorce.

5. 

   Go the Ninth Judicial Court and file your divorce papers.

   File your forms with the court. Take the forms to the Ninth Judicial Court of Rapides Parish and give them to the Rapides Parish Court Clerk. The court clerk will assign the case number and inform you of any necessary court appearances you may have to make for your divorce.

6. 

   Pay the required fees to file for divorce.

   Pay the required fees. Check online or with the court clerk for current fees. If you cannot afford the fees, ask for a fee waiver petition. The court will decide based on your income to waive all or part of the fees. Once the fees have been waived or paid to the Rapides Parish Court Clerk, your filing is complete and your divorce will proceed.

References

• Office of the Attorney General State of Louisiana: Louisiana Laws on Community Property and Covenant Marriage
• Divorce Source.com: Louisiana State Divorce Laws
• Louisiana.gov: Judicial Branch

Resources

• Ninth Judicial Court of Rapides Parish: Home
• Rapides Parish Clerk of Court: Contact Information
• Rapides Parish Clerk of Court Civil Department: Fees