Last Updated on July 7, 2023
Filing for divorce in St. Tammany Parish can be a stressful and emotional experience for both parties, especially if there isn’t an agreement on decisions that must be made between them. To simplify matters, read on to gain insight into what it costs to file for divorce in this area as well as how exactly one goes about filing – so you have everything you need before starting your journey towards separation!
How Much Does It Cost to File for Divorce in St Tammany Parish Louisiana?
There are many things to take into account when it comes to the price of filing for divorce. In separation battles, there are going to be certain things you and your partner are going to have to agree upon, such as who gets what and how much of it. Divorces tend to be a smoother process when both parties have a mutual agreement regarding their assets also known as an uncontested divorce. However, the process can take a toll and make things far more stressful if both parties are not in agreement also known as a contested divorce.
Divorce in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana has three options available to those filing for divorce. The options for filing, pricing, and timelines go as follows.
- Contested divorce: The cost ranges from $12,000-$30,000 for each spouse, and the timeline is hard to predict, but usually takes up to 1 year.
- Online divorce: Is known to be the shortest way to file for divorce and the shortest that divorce laws in Louisiana allow. The cost is under $1,000.
- Uncontested divorce: The cost ranges around $5,000 and the timeline can take a few months on average.
How To File for Divorce in St Tammany Parish
The state of Louisiana has its own unique set of laws and regulations for filing for divorce, so it’s important to understand the process before getting started. Here is an overview of the steps involved in filing for divorce in St. Tammany Parish.
Initiating the Process
The first step in filing for divorce is to initiate the process by submitting a Petition for Divorce to the court clerk’s office in your parish. The petition form must be completed and signed by both parties involved before it can be submitted. It’s also important to include all relevant information such as property division, spousal support, and child custody arrangements that have been agreed upon by both parties (if applicable).
Once the petition has been filed, you must then serve your spouse with a copy of the documents via certified mail or a third-party service provider such as UPS or FedEx, or in person by filling out the waiver of service in court. The next stage consists of separation between the spouses for at least 180 days if no minor children are involved, if so, 365 days. During this time the couple cannot live within the same household, which is shown to demonstrate the marriage cannot be repaired, thus divorce is necessary. If the couples were to break these rules, the divorce process will not be finalized.
Attending Court Hearings
Once you have initiated the process and served your spouse with copies of all relevant documents, and have been separated for the necessary time, the next step is to attend any necessary court hearings related to your divorce case. Depending on how complex your situation is, there may be one or multiple hearings scheduled throughout the duration of your divorce proceedings. During these hearings, both parties will present their respective cases and testimonies before a judge who will ultimately decide on matters such as property division, alimony payments, child support payments, and other issues that may arise throughout the proceedings.
Why Hire a Forensic Accountant in Saint Tammany Parish?
A divorce forensic accountant can help ensure that both parties receive their fair share during the divorce settlement. In addition to uncovering any hidden assets, they can also review past tax returns, income statements, and asset transfers between spouses.
This is especially important in cases where one spouse may have received gifts from family members or friends; these gifts will need to be accounted for to ensure fairness during the settlement process. Furthermore, having an experienced professional on board will provide you with peace of mind, knowing that all financial aspects of your case have been thoroughly examined and accounted for properly.
Another great benefit of hiring a forensic accountant is that they can assist with alimony and child support payments as well. They will do their due diligence by reviewing each party’s expenses such as mortgage payments, medical bills, and other necessary costs associated with living separately to determine how much each spouse should contribute financially towards future costs of living after the divorce has been finalized.
Conclusions
Filing for divorce doesn’t have to be intimidating or overwhelming if you take things one step at a time and make sure you understand each stage of the process beforehand. By following this guide on how to file for divorce in St Tammany Parish, you’ll have a much better idea of what’s required and what to expect when going through this difficult experience. With careful preparation, you’ll likely be able to make it through this process successfully and start looking toward brighter days ahead!
