24th Judicial District Court, Jefferson Parish Document Filing Requirements

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Hearing officer conference affidavit and statement of income and expenses

The hearing officer conference affidavit and income-and-expenses statement must be completed and delivered to the opposing party and hearing officer at least five days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, before the conference.

The Hearing Officer Conference Affidavit and Statement of Income and Expenses shall be completed and delivered to the opposing party and to the hearing officer not later than five (5) days, exclusive of weekends and legal holidays prior to the domestic hearing officer conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Rule

Sign the Rule and provide your name, address, and telephone number at the top.

Finally, sign and provide your name, address, and telephone number at the top, under where it says ARespectfully submitted.@

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Judgment or order

When a party was absent before the domestic commissioner, the judgment or order must be written and filed in the record.

If a party is not present before the domestic commissioner, the judgment or order shall be reduced to writing and filed in the record, and the objection shall be filed within three (3) days of notice of the judgment or order as issued by the clerk of court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Child support documentation

For a child-support demand, documentation of the child’s income must be provided if the child has income.

E. Documentation of the child or children’s income, if any.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Divorce checklist

The petitioner or attorney completing the checklist certifies examination of the record or conformed copies of all pleadings and the truth and correctness of the information provided.

I hereby certify that I have examined the record or conformed copies of all pleadings in the above-captioned case, and the information provided herein is true and correct based upon my personal knowledge, information, and belief.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition for divorce

Sign the Petition’s Verification in front of a notary and do not sign it beforehand.

In the Petition for Divorce, there is an area titled “VERIFICATION”. You must sign this Verification in the presence of a Notary Public. DO NOT sign until you are in front of a Notary

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion for extension of time to plead

A motion to extend time to plead must state the service date, whether a hearing officer, commissioner, or district court date is set and its date and time, and whether the request is the first or a subsequent one.

Any motion for extension of time shall state: 1. The date on which the defendant or responding party was served; 2. Whether a hearing officer conference, commissioner, or district court date is set and, if so, the date and time; and 3. Whether the motion is the first or a subsequent request.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Consent judgment or stipulation

The parties must submit the original and at least one copy of a consent judgment or stipulation signed by both parties and all counsel of record, together with the complete record.

The parties must submit to the court: 1. An original and one or more copies of the consent judgment or stipulation signed by both parties and all counsel of record; and 2. The complete record.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Final judgment packet

Bring the final forms to the Clerk’s office, then take the complete record to the Domestic Commissioner’s clerk to request the Judgment of Divorce signature.

Bring these forms to the Clerk’s office. Then, take the complete record to the Domestic Commissioner’s clerk and ask for the Judgment of Divorce to be signed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Affidavit of certified mail

Submit a separate Affidavit of Certified Mail with the green card or other written proof of the defendant’s receipt.

You will need to submit an Affidavit of Certified Mail (separate document) with the “green card” or other written proof showing the defendant received the package.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Property partition judgment

Property partition judgments must contain appropriate conveyance language.

All property partition judgments shall contain appropriate conveyance language.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Questionnaire response

For a support modification based on a change in your income or financial circumstances, provide your gross income when support was last set, the current support amount, and a W-2 or other supporting documentation.

3. If your request for a modification is based upon a change ipour income or financial circumstances, indicate your gross income at the time the support was last set by the Court (and provide a W-2 form or other supporting documentation) and the current amount of support ordered b the Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Divorce hearing submission

At the hearing, the record must include the La. C.C. Art. 102 divorce checklist and a statement whether the rule is contested or uncontested.

At the hearing of the La. C.C. Art. 102 rule to show cause why a divorce should not be granted a checklist for divorce under La. C.C. Art. 102 and a statement that the rule is contested or uncontested shall be filed in the record. See Appendix-9.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Rule to modify custody form

Select the physical custody arrangement requested from the court in Paragraph 6.

Paragraph 6 asks you to select the physical custody arrangement that you are requesting from the court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Note of evidence

An attorney appointed to represent an absent party must offer a note of evidence at the hearing.

The attorney appointed to represent an absent party shall offer a note of evidence at the hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

A motion seeking a new hearing-officer meeting based on changed circumstances must specifically state the alleged change in circumstances.

The motion shall specifically set forth the alleged change in circumstances.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion to withdraw

A motion to withdraw must provide the client's address and scheduling information, include a required certificate and written communication, attach any scheduling order, and furnish the client's address to the clerk.

C. Any motion to withdraw must include the following information: 1. The motion must state the current or last-known street address and mailing address of the withdrawing attorney's client. The withdrawing attorney must also furnish this information to the clerk of court. 2. If a scheduling order is in effect, a copy of it must be attached to the motion. 3. The motion must state whether any conference, hearing, or trial is scheduled, and, if so, its date. 4. The motion must include a certificate that the withdrawing attorney has complied with paragraph (a) of Rule 1.16 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, Louisiana State Bar Association, Articles of Incorporation, Article 16. A copy of the written communication required by paragraph (A) must be attached to the motion.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Waiver of service and notice art 102 divorce rule

Waiver of service and notice for an Article 102 divorce rule must use the Appendix-7 form.

C. Waiver of service and notice of a La. C.C. Art. 102 rule for divorce, shall be accomplished by use of the form in Appendix-7.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification by self represented litigant

The self-represented litigant must select either service by sheriff or service by acceptance on the certification.

(Select either “Service by Sheriff” or “Service by Acceptance”)

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Deposit receipt

The mover’s attorney must present the deposit receipt to the Court before trial begins.

The attorney for the mover shall present the receipt for the deposit to the Court prior to commencement of trial.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Hearing officer conference affidavit

Attach copies of all financial documentation ordered by the Court to the affidavit.

I further certify that I have attached copies of all financial documentation as ordered by the Court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Original order

The original order must include an immediate income assignment order unless the parties have a written agreement or the court finds good cause not to require one.

A. The original order shall include an immediate income assignment order unless there is a written agreement between the parties or the court finds good cause not to require an immediate income assignment. (La. R.S. 9:303)

CRITICAL

Applies to

Verification form

Complete and sign the Verification form, including its specified information, in front of a notary; the notary completes the bottom part.

Along with your rule, you will also have to sign the AVerification@ form, which states that you are swearing that everything in your rule is true.  This step requires you to go to a notary.  Fill out the top part with your case information just like your rule.  Write the parish that you get the form notarized in the first blank. Write your name in the center blank but do not sign the form until you are directly in front of the notary.  The notary will fill in the bottom part of the form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Rule to Modify Child Support form

The form must explain why modification is sought, based on a material change in circumstances since the order was set.

Paragraph 3 asks you to tell the court why you should get a modification to your child support order. Remember, the law only allows the court to change child support if there has been a material change in circumstances since your order was set.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Questionnaire response

Answer the contempt-of-court section only if pleadings request enforcement of a court order.

P. CONTEMPT OF COURT (Answer only if enforcement of a court order has been requested in pleadings) YES NO

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Collaborative agreement

An agreement to use collaborative procedures must include all listed provisions concerning participation, information exchange, court intervention, experts, withdrawal, protected communications and writings, training, and other agreed terms.

4. An agreement to use collaborative procedures must include provisions: a. for a binding non-participation agreement excluding the participating collaborative professionals from any further non-collaborative domestic representation upon termination of the collaborative proceeding; and b. for an agreement for full and candid exchange of information between the parties, their attorneys, and all other collaborative professionals as necessary to reach a proper evaluation and settlement of the case; and c. for an agreement to suspend court intervention in the dispute and the application of otherwise applicable court rules while the parties are using collaborative procedures; and d. for hiring experts, as jointly agreed, to be used for the benefit of the parties; and e. for withdrawal of all counsel involved in the case if the parties are unable to settle the dispute through the collaborative process; and f. for withdrawal of all collaborative professionals involved in the case and an agreement that they and their work product shall be exempt from subpoena if the parties are unable to settle the dispute through the collaborative process; and g. that anything said or any admission made for the purpose of, in the course of, or pursuant to the collaborative process is not admissible nor subject to discovery, and disclosure of the statement or admission must not be compelled in any non-criminal proceeding; and h. that no writing prepared for the purpose of, in the course of, or pursuant to, the collaborative process is admissible to discovery, and disclosure of the writing must not be compelled in any non-criminal proceeding, except in cases where both of the parties agree to stipulate to final reports being introduced; and i. that all collaborative professionals have received a minimum of two days of multidisciplinary collaborative training prior to participating in the collaborative procedure; and j. for any other provisions as agreed to by the parties consistent with a good faith effort to collaboratively settle the matter.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition for divorce

List each child’s birth year, but not their full date of birth.

NOTE: Louisiana law prohibits listing a person’s full date of birth; therefore, list the year of birth, but not the full date of birth.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Property partition judgment

In property partition cases, counsel or unrepresented parties must prepare and submit any QDRO or other employee-benefit plans necessary to release retirement funds with the judgment.

It shall be the responsibility of counsel, and/or parties, if unrepresented, to prepare and submit a QDRO and/or other plans for employees' benefits, along with the judgment to be signed by the trial judge if necessary for the release of retirement funds.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Child support stipulation

A written child-support stipulation must state that the award follows the Louisiana Child Support Guidelines or state the reasons for any deviation.

Any written stipulation regarding child support shall include a statement that the child support award is in accordance with the Louisiana Child Support Guidelines. If the stipulation is not in accordance with the guidelines, then the reasons for deviations shall be set forth in the stipulation.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Declaration of address change

A defendant or surety must file a written declaration for each change of address.

PURSUANT TO CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ART. 332, THE DEFENDANT OR SURETY MUST FILE A WRITTEN DECLARATION OF EACH CHANGE OF ADDRESS.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Waiver of service and notice art 103 divorce petition

Waiver of service and notice for an Article 103 divorce petition must use the Appendix-8 waiver form.

D. Waiver of service and notice of a La. C.C. Art. 103 divorce petition shall be accomplished by the use of the waiver form in Appendix-8.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Questionnaire response

4. If you are under a court order to pay child support or spousal support to an individual or childt in this proceedin l ease provide the monthly amount, whether it is child support or spousal support (or both), and the name and docket number of the legal proceeding in which the order arose. Attach a copy of the judgment.

4. If you are under a court order to pay child support or spousal support to an individual or childt in this proceedin l ease provide the monthly amount, whether it is child support or spousal support (or both), and the name and docket number of the legal proceeding in which the order arose. Attach a copy of the judgment.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Plea form and fine sheet

Complete the entire plea form and fine sheet before submitting the form.

Step 5 - Fill out plea form and fine sheet then hit submit at the bottom of the form. YOU MUST FILL OUT THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT BEFORE PRESSING SUBMIT.

CRITICAL

Applies to

In forma pauperis affidavit

All questions must be answered in full.

All questions must be answered in full.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Rule to Modify Child Support form

The second page must be signed and include the filer's name, address, and telephone number under “Respectfully submitted.”

On the second page, sign and provide your name, address, and telephone number at the top, under where it says "Respectfully submitted."

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Affidavits

At the hearing, the mover must submit affidavits addressing the required separation, desire-to-divorce, non-military-service, and covenant-marriage facts; one affidavit may contain all required facts.

A. At the hearing on the rule to show cause, the mover must submit the following affidavits: 1. An affidavit executed after the filing of the rule to show cause, that the parties have lived separate and apart continuously, for at least 180 days prior to the filing of the rule to show cause, that they are still living separate and apart and that mover desires to be divorced; and 2. An affidavit of non-military service and an affidavit that the parties did not contract a covenant marriage. One affidavit containing all required facts may be submitted in lieu of multiple affidavits.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Collaborative team model

A multidisciplinary collaborative team model must provide for the specified trained professionals.

A multidisciplinary collaborative team model includes provisions for the following mandatory collaboratively trained professionals: an attorney for each party, a mental health professional "coach" for each party, a financial expert and a child's mental health professional.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Judgment

A judgment submitted without opposing counsel's signature, or when the opposing party is unrepresented, must be presented with the hearing officer's recommendation sheet.

If the judgment is submitted without the opposing counsel's signature or if the judgment is submitted in a matter where the opposing party is unrepresented, the judgment shall be presented to the domestic commissioner with the hearing officer's recommendation sheet.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Custody modification petition

If requesting sole custody, the petitioner must select one of the listed visitation options for the defendant.

Petitioner requests that Petitioner be awarded sole custody subject to one of the following by the Defendant: (please select one of the following)

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Hearing officer conference affidavit

All questions on the Hearing Officer Conference Affidavit must be answered, and additional sheets must be attached as necessary.

ALL UESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED. ATTACH ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS NECESSARY

CRITICAL

Applies to

Rule to Modify Child Support form

The form must include the order date and case title in the designated blanks.

Write the date of the order in the first blank, then the case title in the next two blanks.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Consolidated pretrial order

The consolidated pre-trial order must include the specified case summaries, issues, witness and evidence lists, stipulations, procedural history, authorities, and—when applicable—medical summaries and joint financial lists.

1. A concise summary of the facts or contentions made by all parties; 2. The contested issues of fact and law, specified with particularity; 3. A list of your will call witnesses, plus the nature of the testimony of each witness, such as testimony on the facts, medical witnesses, etc.; 4. A list of possible witnesses, including rebuttal witnesses; 5. A list of all documentary evidence you plan to use, except impeachment documents. Also, a list of all exhibits you will use; 6. A listing of the facts, exhibits, etc. that you feel are not in serious dispute and can be stipulated; 7. Whenever medical conditions are at issue, a brief summary of medical reports including extent of disability, length of treatment; 8. A concise procedural history of the case including what motions and pleadings have been filed in the case and their dispositions, including any motions still pending; 9. A list of the citations and authorities relating to this case; 10. A joint list of assets, liabilities, reimbursement claims and values for partitions.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Rule to modify custody form

State all reasons for requesting a custody change and fully explain the changes in circumstances since the last order.

Paragraph 5 asks you to give the court all of your reasons for requesting a change in the original custody order. Remember, the court can only change custody if there has been a material change in circumstance since the last order. Make sure you explain these changes fully.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

Counsel submitting the motion must provide each party's name and status and each attorney's name, address, and telephone number.

Counsel submitting this motion must submit below or on the reverse side: 1. The name of each party and their status, e.g., defendant, third party, etc. 2. The name, address, and telephone number of each attorney representing each party.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Change of address form

If your address or contact information changes, complete the attached change-of-address form and file it into the record.

If your address or contact information has changed, you are required to complete the attached change of address form and file it into the record.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Rule to modify custody form

Enter the litigant’s name and domicile, meaning the parish or county and state of the current permanent address.

The beginning paragraph asks you to fill in your name and domicile. Your domicile is the parish/county and state of your current permanent address.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Completed forms

File the completed original forms with the Clerk of Court’s Office.

Once complete, file them with the Clerk of Court’s Office. You must file the original forms you filled out and stamped before the notary.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Judgment of divorce

After bringing the forms to the Clerk’s office, take the complete record to the Domestic Commissioner’s clerk and request the Judgment of Divorce signature.

Then, take the complete record to the Domestic Commissioner’s clerk and ask for the Judgment of Divorce to be signed.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

Before a court hearing, a party may move for a new Hearing Officer meeting based on a change in circumstances if there is sufficient time, and the motion must specifically state the alleged change.

Prior to a hearing with the Court, if there is a change in circumstances and counsel believes such change would justify a modification of the interim order, a new meeting with the Hearing Officer may be scheduled on the motion of any party provided there is sufficient time in which to do so. The motion shall specifically set forth the alleged change in circumstances.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion for voluntary dismissal

A party filing a motion for voluntary dismissal must obtain the clerk's certification that all costs have been paid.

Any party filing a motion for voluntary dismissal shall obtain from the clerk of court a certification that all costs have been paid.