Calcasieu Parish Family Law Attorney

Family Lawyer in Calcasieu Parish, LA

Any time you are dealing with legal situations involving family, they can be complicated, stressful, and sometimes even heartbreaking. Depending on the details of your case, pursuing legal action may break some family ties. However, you may have no choice but to move forward to protect your kids and yourself. Throughout it all, you should have a Calcasieu Parish family law attorney on your side to help you.

The legal team at Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates LLC understands how hard it can be to handle a family law case on your own. Without a Calcasieu Parish family lawyer in your corner, there’s no telling what could happen in your case.

Family law matters can be enough to permanently fracture your relationships and change the course of your life. Having the right lawyer to help you navigate your case can make all the difference. Our firm can provide that help.

Common Family Law Situations in Louisiana

If you choose to file a legal case for your family law situation in Calcasieu Parish, your case will likely be heard at the 14th Judicial District Court, which can be found in downtown Lake Charles.

The Historic Calcasieu Courthouse on Ryan Street contains the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court’s Office, which is where divorce, custody, and protective orders are handled. Your lawyer can help you file the right paperwork for your specific case.

There are many different legal situations that a family lawyer can help you work through. Every family law case is unique and complex in its own way. They often involve your children, your relationship, your future, and decisions that are vital to your life’s trajectory. You shouldn’t take them lightly.

A lawyer can prepare you for change and walk you through every necessary step of the legal process. Here are some common family law situations we can help with:

• Divorce. Divorce is one of the most common family law issues. Louisiana’s marriage rate is 43.4% as of 2026, while the divorce rate is very low at 0.9 per 1,000 people as of 2023. Despite a low divorce rate, divorce does still happen in Louisiana. If your divorce is highly contested and you need legal help to help you avoid an unfair division of assets and/or custody, contact a family lawyer immediately.
• Custody arrangements. Dealing with a tense custody battle can be one of the most difficult experiences of your life. Whether you are pursuing full or partial custody, this situation can greatly affect your kids. Your lawyer can focus on the legalities of your case, giving you more time to be present for your kids and strengthen your bond, while also working on a co-parenting relationship with your ex.
• Adoption. Choosing to adopt a child can be a noble act, but that doesn’t make it any less legally complex. In 2024, 576 children were adopted from the foster system in Louisiana, and all of those adoptions required considerable paperwork and were recommended to be assisted by a family lawyer. Our firm can walk you through the process and help you meet every required filing deadline.
• Property division. One of the most contentious parts of a divorce can be dividing assets. Since Louisiana is a community property state, most marital assets and debts are divided equally in a divorce unless both parties reach a mutually beneficial agreement. However, your situation may not be that cut-and-dried. You may require legal assistance to figure out how much your assets are worth and what you may be about to lose.

These cases can have tight deadlines and limits that are difficult for non-legal professionals to meet. Working with an attorney can help resolve your case as efficiently as possible.

FAQs

How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in Louisiana?

How much a family lawyer might cost in Louisiana is difficult to estimate. Every family lawyer charges a different amount for their services, as fees are determined on a case-by-case basis.

There are numerous factors to consider before a lawyer decides on their fee. Those factors include the complexity of your specific case, whether your case involves a contested divorce or custody battle, and your lawyer’s own resources available to them.

What Is the Deadbeat Parent Law in Louisiana?

The Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of Louisiana makes it a felony to intentionally fail to pay child support. If you refuse to pay child support simply because you don’t want to, you can get convicted of a felony under this law, serve up to two years in prison, and pay more than $2,500 in fines. If you try to flee the state to avoid a conviction, you could face additional federal charges for fleeing across state lines.

How Do I Save Money on Divorce?

To save money on divorce, consider alternative dispute options like mediation. An attorney can assist you in determining what resolution is needed and how to go about it. Generally, the less you need to rely on formal court proceedings, the cheaper the divorce can be. Divorces involving children are usually more expensive than divorces with no children.

What Is a Spouse Entitled to in a Divorce Settlement in Louisiana?

Each spouse is entitled to 50% of all marital assets and debt acquired during the marriage. This is because Louisiana is a community property state. Separate property, such as gifts to one spouse, inheritances, and premarital assets, remains with the spouse who owned it before marriage. Everything else is divided equally. Depending on each spouse’s financial situation, the lesser-earning spouse may be entitled to alimony as well.

Hire a Family Law Attorney Today

It’s important to hire a family law attorney to help you work through what’s probably going to be a very complicated and emotional legal situation for you. At Fitz-Gerald, Hebert & Associates LLC, we have more than 80 years of combined experience helping individuals emerge from their legal situations unscathed and in a better place. Contact us to speak with someone on our team today.