Uncontested Divorce Attorney in Lake Charles
Family Law · Uncontested Divorce
Free 30-minute consultation — (337) 656-3212
As the managing attorney of Colonna Law Firm, LLC, I facilitate streamlined, flat-fee uncontested divorces through the 14th Judicial District Court in Calcasieu Parish. All initial filings proceed directly through the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court at 1000 Ryan Street in Lake Charles. By utilizing efficient local procedural mechanisms—including the execution of a formal Waiver of Service and Citation and submitting a final Judgment of Divorce by joint affidavits under Civil Code Article 102 or 103—I completely eliminate the need for you to set foot inside a courtroom. If you and your spouse are in agreement, I can finalize your divorce with absolute administrative precision, keeping your hard-earned assets in your pocket and your family’s dignity intact. I hold a 5.0 rating across 200+ Google reviews. To schedule a free 30-minute consultation, with Jacob directly, call (337) 656-3212.
Talk directly with Jacob about your uncontested case — no obligation, no pressure.
You Made the Smart Decision. I Keep Your Uncontested Divorce Fast, Quiet, and Highly Affordable.
Let’s be completely honest: nobody wins a high-conflict courtroom war except the hourly attorneys. By choosing to pursue an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse have made the most mature, practical, and financially intelligent decision possible. You have chosen to end the marriage without turning it into a war. That decision will save you thousands of dollars, months of your life, and a level of conflict that would follow both of you — and your children — for years.
You have actively decided to protect your peace of mind, your sanity, and your savings. You are refusing to waste months of your life and thousands of your hard-earned dollars on unnecessary legal friction. I believe in rewarding that level of maturity. Because you are doing the right thing by agreeing on the terms, I treat uncontested cases as a streamlined administrative process—delivering the fast, quiet, and highly cost-effective resolution you deserve.
My goal for your uncontested divorce is simple: to make it as cheap, swift, and stress-free as the law allows. You do not need to pay a massive, open-ended hourly retainer just to have a mountain of paperwork filled out. By agreeing on the division of your assets, debts, and custody up front, we bypass the expensive litigation trap entirely. I offer clear, flat-fee pricing for uncontested cases so you know exactly what your total cost is before we file a single document. We keep the money where it belongs—with your family.
If you haven’t already spoken to an attorney, you’re already behind. Contact Colonna Law Firm now.
What Is an Uncontested Divorce in Louisiana?
An uncontested divorce is a divorce in which both spouses agree on the decision to end the marriage and do not dispute the terms of the separation. In Louisiana, an uncontested divorce is processed under Civil Code Article 102 or Article 103 and is by far the fastest, least expensive, and least stressful way to legally end a marriage.
Because there is no disputed litigation, the process moves quickly and in many cases can be completed without either party ever appearing in a courtroom. At Colonna Law Firm, I handle the paperwork, filings, and court processing so clients can move forward with minimal disruption to their lives.
What Is Included — and What Is Not
The base uncontested divorce fee at Colonna Law Firm covers the dissolution of the marriage itself. It does not automatically include:
- Child custody orders or parenting plans
- Child support determinations
- Spousal support / alimony agreements
- Community property division or partition judgments
- Curator service
- Any motion other than to confirm the divorce
If both spouses have already agreed to terms on any of these issues, I can prepare written stipulations and process them through the court for an additional flat fee plus court costs. These add-on stipulations must reflect a complete agreement between both parties — if any issue is disputed, a contested proceeding will be necessary and the matter becomes a contested divorce at a much higher cost.
Important: If you and your spouse cannot agree on custody, property, or support, an uncontested divorce may not be the right path. I will tell you honestly during the consultation whether your situation qualifies — and if a contested approach becomes necessary, he handles that as well.
The Two Paths: How We Finalize Your Calcasieu Parish Uncontested Divorce
Depending on whether you and your spouse have already lived separate and apart, Louisiana law provides two direct statutory paths to secure your uncontested divorce. I will evaluate your situation to determine which path is the fastest and most cost-effective for your household:
The Article 103 Divorce (Already Separated)
If you and your spouse have already lived separate and apart continuously without reconciling for the necessary amount of time, we file under Civil Code Article 103. If you do not have minor children, the separation requirement is 180 days. If you have minor children together, the separation requirement is 365 days. These divorces can be completed within a month if there are no service issues or unforeseen delays with the court or clerk.
The Procedural Advantage: Because you have already waited out the clock, we can file the petition, have your spouse sign a waiver, and secure the final judgment immediately. There is no waiting period once the paperwork is filed.
The Article 102 Divorce (Still Living Together or Just Now Separating)
If you and your spouse are ready to divorce but have not yet lived apart for the required timeframe, we file under Civil Code Article 102. The separation periods are the same in either path. Also, it is possible to start a divorce under Article 102 and then finalize it under Article 103 once you’ve been separated long enough. Recent court rulings have made this tricky, but a skilled attorney can still do it.
The Procedural Advantage: We file the initial petition immediately to start the official state clock. The advantage is when the divorce is finalized, the community property regime is terminated retroactive to this date, which can be a major help for clients leaving spouses who keep accumulating debts.
Is an Uncontested Divorce a Cheap Divorce?
It can be. We do offer “cheap divorce” rates for certain Uncontested Divorces. See more here: Cheap Divorce in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Who Qualifies for an Uncontested Divorce in Louisiana?
To qualify for an uncontested divorce in Louisiana, the following conditions generally must be met:
- Both spouses agree to the divorce and are not contesting it
- At least one spouse has been domiciled in Louisiana for six months prior to filing
- The parties have lived separately for the required waiting period under Louisiana law (180 days with no minor children; 365 days if minor children are involved — or immediately in fault-based cases)
- Neither spouse is contesting issues such as custody, child support, or property division — or both spouses have already agreed to the terms of those issues
If you and your spouse have already reached an agreement on custody, support, and property matters, I can draft stipulations for an additional fee and court costs, reflecting those agreements and file them alongside the divorce — converting what could be a contested matter into a clean, simple process. Less stress. Less money out of your pocket. A much better way to start a new life.
What happens if my spouse changes their mind and refuses to sign?
An uncontested divorce remains uncontested only as long as both parties agree on every single term—including custody, child support, spousal support, and property division. If your spouse suddenly changes their mind, refuses to sign the notary waiver, or contests a specific issue, the case immediately shifts to a contested track. If this happens, you have two choices
- Conversion to Contested Divorce: You will have to sign a new contract for a contested divorce. All amounts paid will be credited towards that new fee.
- Refund: All of my contracts clearly lay out the refund terms. If you would like to hire a different counsel for the contested divorce, I can calculate the refund and you can terminate my services.
What Does the Uncontested Divorce Process Look Like?
For most Colonna Law Firm uncontested divorce clients in Lake Charles, the process follows these steps:
Step 1 —
Free Consultation
I meet with the client for a free 30-minute consultation to confirm eligibility, explain the process, and answer questions. This can be done in person at the Ryan Street office, over electronic intake form, over video meeting, or by phone.
Step 2 —
Retainer
Once retained, I collect the information needed to prepare the petition: names, addresses, date of marriage, date of separation, and whether minor children are involved. If additional stipulations are needed (custody, support, property), those details are gathered at this stage as well.
Step 3 —
Petition Filed with the Court
I prepare and file the divorce petition with the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court at the 14th Judicial District Court. If filing under Article 102, the required separation period runs from the date of filing. If filing under Article 103 (the separation period has already elapsed), the case can move to finalization more quickly.
Step 4 —
Waiting Period and Final Judgment
Once the required separation period has passed, I file the rule to show cause and obtain the final divorce judgment from the court. In straightforward cases, clients do not need to appear in court at all — I handle the final hearing on their behalf.
Why Jacob Colonna for Your Uncontested Divorce in Lake Charles?
Once I decided to start targeting uncontested divorces, I became the local expert in how to process these quickly and efficiently at a low price. I do not think you will find a lower price if you call around Lake Charles. I have been doing uncontested divorces for over 5 years and have systems in place to ensure speed and efficiency. I do so many that the judges’ staffs know my forms by sight and I have developed a trust and reputation to ensure things get done and you move on with your life while keeping a lot more of your money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both my spouse and I need to hire an attorney for an uncontested divorce?
No. In fact, under Louisiana legal ethics rules, a single attorney cannot represent both spouses in a divorce because a theoretical conflict of interest always exists. However, only one of you needs to hire an attorney to draft the paperwork. I will represent the party who hires me and draft all the petitions, waivers, and judgments, and ensure the court receives everything. Your spouse simply reviews the documents and signs the notary waivers. They have the right to have an independent attorney review the paperwork, but they are not legally forced to hire one.
How long does an uncontested divorce take to finalize in Calcasieu Parish?
If you have already lived separate and apart for the required time (180 or 365 days) and qualify for an Article 103 divorce, we can typically secure your final signed judgment from the judge in about 30 to 45 days. This timeline is dictated entirely by how quickly we can serve your spouse and then how slow the 14th JDC and Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court process the filings. If you have not yet lived apart, the timeline is dictated by the state-mandated 180-day or 365-day waiting period.
Can I get a divorce without going to court in Louisiana?
Yes. In most uncontested divorce cases handled by Colonna Law Firm in Lake Charles, neither spouse is required to appear in court. Jacob Colonna attends any required hearings on the client’s behalf. This is one of the significant advantages of an uncontested divorce — the process can often be completed entirely through mail, phone, and attorney filings, without disrupting a client’s work schedule.
What if my spouse and I also need a custody agreement — can that be handled at the same time?
Yes. If both parties have already agreed on custody, visitation, child support, and any other terms, Colonna Law Firm can draft written stipulations and process them alongside the divorce for an additional flat fee plus court costs. The stipulations are filed with the court and converted into a judgment that is legally binding on both parties as if you went to trial and the judge issued orders. Both spouses must be in agreement on all terms — if any issue is disputed, a contested proceeding will be necessary.
What makes a divorce “uncontested” under Louisiana law?
An uncontested divorce means both spouses agree to the divorce and have no disputes over property division, child custody, or spousal support. Louisiana Civil Code Articles 102 and 103 governs this process and determines the applicable waiting period.
Have a legal matter in Lake Charles? Colonna Law Firm, LLC offers a free 30-minute consultation.
📞 (337) 656-3212 🌐 www.colonnalawfirm.com 📍 900 Ryan Street, Suite 402 | Lake Charles, LA 70601
Jacob Colonna is a family law attorney in Lake Charles, Louisiana with 17 years of experience at the 14th Judicial District Court. He serves clients in Calcasieu, Beauregard, Jefferson Davis, and Allen Parishes with uncontested divorces. Jacob Colonna is a trial attorney with extensive courtroom experience across all stages of Louisiana family law proceedings — from initial disagreements through trials and appeals.
Last Reviewed: July 2026 | Content reviewed by Jacob Colonna, Attorney at Law
Our Lake Charles Office
Located at 900 Ryan Street, Suite 402, in downtown Lake Charles.
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