No-Fault Divorce in Louisiana
State-specific overview · Family Law
Louisiana requires a 6-month separation period for no-fault divorce, the longest waiting period in the nation.
How Louisiana treats No-Fault Divorce
Louisiana uniquely imposes a six-month separation requirement before a no-fault divorce becomes final, making it one of the most restrictive no-fault regimes in the United States. Either spouse may file based on irreconcilable differences, but the divorce cannot be granted until six months have elapsed from service of the petition. During this period, spouses remain legally married. Louisiana also permits fault-based divorce with shorter timelines, giving spouses an alternative route if they can prove grounds like infidelity or abuse.
The general definition of No-Fault Divorce
A divorce granted without requiring either spouse to prove wrongdoing by the other.
A no-fault divorce is a divorce where neither spouse has to prove that the other did something wrong, like infidelity or abuse. Instead, one or both spouses simply state that the marriage is irretrievably broken or that they have irreconcilable differences. This is the most common type of divorce in the United States today. No-fault divorces are generally faster and less contentious than fault-based divorces because they don't require gathering evidence of misconduct.
Read the full No-Fault Divorce entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.