Louisiana Divorce Costs and Filing Fees (2026)
Louisiana's filing fees vary significantly by parish — from around $200 in rural parishes to $400 or more in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. The community property partition is a separate proceeding that adds additional costs.
Core Filing Costs
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| District Court filing fee (petition) | $200–$400 (varies by parish) |
| Rule to Show Cause / Final Judgment filing | $50–$150 (varies by parish) |
| Certified copies of Judgment of Divorce | $10–$25 per copy |
| Service fee (sheriff or process server) | $30–$80 |
Parish Variations
| Parish | Approx. Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Orleans Parish (New Orleans) | $350–$400 |
| Jefferson Parish (Metairie) | $300–$375 |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | $250–$325 |
| Caddo Parish (Shreveport) | $200–$275 |
| Lafayette Parish | $200–$275 |
| St. Tammany Parish | $225–$300 |
Confirm exact fees with your parish Clerk of Court before filing.
Ancillary Costs
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| QDRO — employer retirement plan | $400–$1,500 per plan |
| Community property partition (uncontested) | $500–$2,000 (attorney-assisted) |
| Real estate act/deed preparation | $300–$800 |
| Conveyance record recording fee | $30–$75 per document |
| Property appraisal | $350–$750 |
| Business valuation | $2,000–$10,000 |
| Mediator | $150–$350/hour |
Fee Waiver (Pauper's Oath)
Louisiana waives filing fees for qualifying low-income filers.
How to apply:
- File a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with an Affidavit of Poverty (pauper's oath)
- File with the Petition
- Judge reviews and approves or denies
- If approved: filing and service fees waived
Eligibility: Income at or below 200% of federal poverty level; receipt of public assistance (Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, TANF).
Total Cost Estimates
| Scenario | Estimated Total |
|---|---|
| Article 103, no children, agreed, no real estate or retirement | $250–$600 |
| Article 102, no children, agreed | $350–$800 |
| With real estate partition (conveyance) | $700–$2,000 |
| With employer retirement (QDRO) | $800–$2,200 |
| Contested property partition | $5,000–$30,000 |
| Contested with fault grounds | $20,000–$75,000+ |
Last reviewed: March 2026 | $200–$400 parish filing fee | Partition is a separate proceeding | louisianalawhelp.org | Conveyance Records for real estate
Written by the SoLongSoulmate.com Editorial Team
Researched using official state court websites, state statutes, and legal aid resources. All filing fees and procedures verified March 2026. This is general legal information — not legal advice.
Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.