What Louisiana courts actually look at
Custody is decided on the best interest of the child using the factors in La. Civ. Code art. 134. Judges look for the parent who is stable, involved, cooperative, and honest. Preparation shows all four.
Start a parenting log today
- Dates and times of every exchange, visit, and missed visit.
- School pickups, doctor visits, extracurriculars: who took the child.
- Any incident that affected the child, in neutral language. Use a notebook or a dated notes app. Do not backfill.
Communication rules
- Keep all communication with the other parent in writing (text or a co-parenting app).
- Be brief, businesslike, and child-focused. Assume a judge will read it.
- Never argue by text. Never discuss the case with the child.
Gather these documents
- School records, report cards, attendance.
- Medical and dental records showing who took the child.
- Photos of the child's room and your home.
- Your work schedule and proof of income.
- Any police reports or protective orders.
If there has been family violence
Louisiana's Post-Separation Family Violence Relief Act (La. R.S. 9:361 et seq.) creates a presumption against custody for a parent with a history of family violence. This is a specialized area. Get counsel before the first hearing.
Domiciliary parent, explained
Under joint custody, the domiciliary parent is the one the child primarily lives with and who makes decisions when parents disagree. It is not the same as sole custody, and it matters more than most people realize.
General information, not legal advice. Talk to an attorney about your situation.