Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?

No. Every state has self-represented (pro se) filing options, and most county courthouses have a Family Law Facilitator or Self-Help Center that provides forms and guidance at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if the case is contested, involves abuse allegations, or requires relocation or interstate issues.

How is 'best interest of the child' actually decided?

Judges weigh factors including each parent's ability to provide stability, the child's relationship with each parent, any history of violence or substance abuse, the child's preference (usually after a certain age), work schedules, and each parent's willingness to support the other's relationship with the child. Specific factors are listed in each state's custody statute.

Can I get 50/50 custody as a father?

Yes. Most states now have a presumption of — or strong preference for — joint legal and joint physical custody when both parents are fit and engaged. Fathers who show consistent involvement, stable housing, and willingness to coordinate with the mother have strong odds of receiving substantial parenting time, up to 50/50.

What if my ex violates the custody order?

File a Motion for Contempt or a Motion to Enforce with the court. Document every missed exchange, refused visit, or violation with dates, times, messages, and witnesses. Most courts treat repeated violations seriously, with remedies ranging from make-up time to modification of custody to sanctions.

Custody & Visitation in Louisiana

14 verified resources.

About Custody & Visitation for Fathers

Custody and visitation cases are handled at the state and county level, typically through each state's family court or unified family division. Every state follows some version of the 'best interest of the child' standard, but the specifics — how judges weigh parental fitness, how parenting time is structured, how modifications are granted — vary widely. Most states have free self-help centers inside their main courthouses where fathers can get forms, file paperwork, and receive guidance without hiring an attorney. National organizations like the ABA, Cordell & Cordell, and various fathers' rights groups supplement local resources. This directory combines official state court self-help portals, county-level family law facilitators, private family law firms that represent fathers, and fatherhood advocacy organizations — all verified and up to date.

Custody & Visitation in Louisiana

Louisiana is the only US state based on civil law (Napoleonic Code) rather than common law. Family matters are heard in district courts, with most parishes having dedicated family sections. The Department of Children and Family Services Child Support Enforcement Services handles enforcement. New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette are the major cities. Southeast Louisiana Legal Services and Acadiana Legal Service Corporation provide civil legal aid.

14 Resources

1. Orleans Parish Civil District Court – Family — Free

Handles custody, divorce, paternity, and family law cases for fathers in Orleans Parish and the greater New Orleans area. Filings, hearings, and protective orders are processed during weekday hours. Fathers should bring photo ID, any existing court orders, and child birth certificates for intake. Call 504-407-0000 or visit the courthouse on Loyola Avenue for self-represented filer guidance.

504-407-0000 · 421 Loyola Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. East Baton Rouge Family Court — Free

Specialized family court serving fathers in East Baton Rouge Parish with custody filings, visitation orders, parenting plans, and support modifications. Dedicated judges hear family matters weekdays. Fathers can file pro se or with counsel; bring photo ID, birth certificates, income documents, and any prior orders. Located downtown at 222 St. Louis Street. Call 225-389-3000 for docket and filing fee information.

225-389-3000 · 222 St. Louis St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. Acadiana Legal Service Corporation — Free

Free civil legal aid for low-income fathers in south-central Louisiana handling custody, visitation, divorce, and protective order matters. Services cover Lafayette and surrounding parishes. Intake requires proof of income, photo ID, and any court paperwork. Call 337-237-4320 or apply online at la-law.org. Walk-ins accepted at the Surrey Street office in Lafayette during weekday business hours.

337-237-4320 · 1020 Surrey St, Lafayette, LA 70501 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Louisiana State Bar – Lawyer Referral — Paid

Statewide referral line connecting fathers with licensed Louisiana family law attorneys for paid consultations on custody, support, paternity, and divorce. Initial consult fees are typically reduced. Fathers describe their case by phone and receive a vetted attorney match in their parish. Call 800-421-5722 weekdays. Useful when legal aid income limits are exceeded but full-fee retainers remain unaffordable.

800-421-5722 · 601 St. Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Louisiana Self-Help Resource Center — Free

Online forms library and plain-language guides for fathers filing custody, visitation, and family law matters pro se across Louisiana parishes. Access at any hour to download petitions, answers, and financial affidavits. Intended for self-represented litigants unable to afford counsel. Fathers should gather photo ID, birth certificates, and any existing court orders before filing at their parish clerk's office.

24/7 online · Visit Website

6. Calcasieu Parish Courthouse – Family Division — Free

Family court handling custody, visitation, paternity, and support cases for fathers in the Lake Charles and southwest Louisiana region. Filings, motions, and hearings are processed weekdays on Lakeshore Drive. Bring photo ID, child birth certificates, income documentation, and any prior court orders to intake. Call 337-437-3550 for docket, filing fee, and self-help resource information.

337-437-3550 · 1001 Lakeshore Dr, Lake Charles, LA 70601 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

7. Ouachita Parish Family Court — Free

Family court serving fathers in the Monroe region with custody, visitation, paternity, and support matters. Weekday hearings at 300 St. John Street. Fathers may file pro se or with counsel; bring photo ID, birth certificates, pay stubs, and any existing orders. Call 318-327-1444 for filing fees and docket info. Self-help forms are available through the clerk of court for unrepresented parents.

318-327-1444 · 300 St. John St, Monroe, LA 71201 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

8. Rapides Parish Family Court — Free

Handles custody, visitation, paternity, and child support matters for fathers in the Alexandria and central Louisiana area. Located at 701 Murray Street with weekday hours. Bring photo ID, child birth certificates, income documentation, and any prior court orders to intake. Call 318-473-6770 for filing fees and scheduling. Self-represented fathers can access forms through the parish clerk.

318-473-6770 · 701 Murray St, Alexandria, LA 71301 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

9. Capital Area Legal Services – Family Law — Free

Free custody, visitation, divorce, and protective order representation for low-income fathers in East Baton Rouge and surrounding parishes. Intake screens income eligibility; bring photo ID, pay stubs, court paperwork, and child birth certificates. Call 225-636-1001 or walk in at 200 Third Street, Baton Rouge during weekday hours. Priority often given to custody, safety, and economic stability cases.

225-636-1001 · 200 3rd St, Baton Rouge, LA 70801 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm

10. Terrebonne Parish Family Court — Free

Family court services for custody, visitation, paternity, and support cases in the Houma area. Weekday hearings at 7856 Main Street. Fathers should bring photo ID, child birth certificates, income documentation, and prior orders to file. Call 985-868-5660 for docket, filing fees, and self-help resources. Pro se litigants can obtain forms through the Terrebonne Parish clerk of court.

985-868-5660 · 7856 Main St, Houma, LA 70360 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

11. St. Tammany Parish Family Court — Free

Custody filings, visitation orders, paternity, and family court services for fathers on the Northshore. Located in Covington with weekday hours. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, pay stubs, and any existing court orders to intake. Call 985-809-8700 for docket and filing fee information. Self-represented fathers can access forms and guidance through the St. Tammany clerk's office.

985-809-8700 · 510 E Boston St, Covington, LA 70433 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

12. Bossier Parish Family Court — Free

Custody, visitation, paternity, and family law services for fathers in Bossier City and surrounding Bossier Parish. Weekday hours at the Benton courthouse. Bring photo ID, child birth certificates, pay stubs, and prior court orders to file. Call 318-965-2336 for filing fees and hearing schedules. Self-help forms available through the Bossier Parish clerk for unrepresented fathers navigating custody matters.

318-965-2336 · 204 Burt Blvd, Benton, LA 71006 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

13. Lafourche Parish Family Court — Free

Handles custody, visitation, child welfare, and family law cases in the Thibodaux area of Lafourche Parish. Weekday hours at 303 W 3rd Street. Fathers should bring photo ID, child birth certificates, income documentation, and prior court orders to intake. Call 985-447-4841 for filing fees and docket information. Pro se filers can access standard forms through the Lafourche clerk of court.

985-447-4841 · 303 W 3rd St, Thibodaux, LA 70301 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

14. Livingston Parish Family Court — Free

Family court services including custody, visitation, paternity, and child support for fathers in Livingston Parish. Weekday hours at 20180 Iowa Street, Livingston. Bring photo ID, birth certificates, pay stubs, and any prior court orders to file. Call 225-686-2216 for docket and filing fee information. Self-represented fathers can obtain forms and filing guidance through the parish clerk's office.

225-686-2216 · 20180 Iowa St, Livingston, LA 70754 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm

Custody & Visitation — Common Questions

Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?: No. Every state has self-represented (pro se) filing options, and most county courthouses have a Family Law Facilitator or Self-Help Center that provides forms and guidance at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if the case is contested, involves abuse allegations, or requires relocation or interstate issues.
How is 'best interest of the child' actually decided?: Judges weigh factors including each parent's ability to provide stability, the child's relationship with each parent, any history of violence or substance abuse, the child's preference (usually after a certain age), work schedules, and each parent's willingness to support the other's relationship with the child. Specific factors are listed in each state's custody statute.
Can I get 50/50 custody as a father?: Yes. Most states now have a presumption of — or strong preference for — joint legal and joint physical custody when both parents are fit and engaged. Fathers who show consistent involvement, stable housing, and willingness to coordinate with the mother have strong odds of receiving substantial parenting time, up to 50/50.
What if my ex violates the custody order?: File a Motion for Contempt or a Motion to Enforce with the court. Document every missed exchange, refused visit, or violation with dates, times, messages, and witnesses. Most courts treat repeated violations seriously, with remedies ranging from make-up time to modification of custody to sanctions.