In some states, a bifurcated divorce allows a court to end a marriage before deciding other parts of the case, like property division or spousal support. These divorces aren’t common and are not part of standard divorce procedure in Louisiana. However, the law isn’t completely settled on the topic, so you may still have legal options in some scenarios.
If you’re facing a difficult or drawn-out divorce, you might wonder whether it’s possible to finalize the end of your marriage while still working through financial or custody disputes. Here’s what you should know about how bifurcation works in other states and what your options are under Louisiana law.
What Happens in a Bifurcated Divorce?
In a bifurcated divorce, the court grants a legal divorce first, officially ending the marriage. Other unresolved matters (like community property, alimony, or child custody) are handled separately at a later time. The idea is to give the parties some legal finality even if the case isn’t entirely settled.
Louisiana law does not include a specific process for bifurcation, and courts generally expect all issues to be resolved before entering a final divorce judgment. Still, in very limited situations, a judge may grant a divorce and reserve jurisdiction to resolve remaining disputes later. That said, this may depend on the specific jurisdiction and is far from something you can expect to be allowed.
Louisiana’s Divorce Requirements
Louisiana has both no-fault and fault-based grounds for divorce.
The most common no-fault option requires spouses to live separately for:
- 180 days if there are no minor children
- 365 days if the couple has minor children
If one spouse proves grounds like adultery or abuse, the court may allow the divorce without a waiting period. Either way, once the legal requirements have been met, the court can grant a divorce.
However, unlike some other states that clearly allow for bifurcated divorce, Louisiana courts typically resolve all related matters before issuing the final divorce decree. This includes community property division, custody orders, and any requests for spousal support.
Can You Request a Bifurcated Divorce in Louisiana?
There is no clear legal rule in Louisiana allowing or prohibiting bifurcation. Courts usually prefer to resolve everything together. However, in certain cases, it may not be impossible for a judge to agree to separate the divorce from other issues in some form or fashion.
This might happen if, for instance:
- The spouses agree to move forward this way
- One party needs to remarry or make financial changes
- The court finds that justice would be better served by ending the marriage now
Still, these situations are extremely rare and may not be available in all parts of the state. If the court thinks granting a divorce before resolving other matters would cause confusion or unfairness, it may deny the request.
Ultimately, because the law isn’t well-developed on this point, it’s essential to speak with a local family law attorney if you’re considering this option.
Pros and Cons of Separating the Divorce
Even in states that allow bifurcation more clearly, it’s considered an unusual path. It can have benefits, but it also carries risks.
Some of the potential benefits include:
- Faster resolution of marital status
- Emotional closure
- Ability to remarry or make financial plans sooner
Meanwhile, possible drawbacks include things like:
- Less leverage in negotiations
- Longer legal process overall
- More court involvement down the line
In Louisiana, these pros and cons are even more important to weigh, since bifurcation may only happen in limited and uncertain situations.
Why Finalizing the Entire Divorce at Once Might Be Best
Because Louisiana generally requires resolution of all issues before granting a divorce, most cases follow that standard path. While this might feel slower initially, it often leads to a cleaner and more efficient outcome in the long run.
Waiting to finalize everything together can make it easier to:
- Divide community property fairly
- Set up clear custody and support arrangements
- Avoid repeat trips to court
When handled properly, a full and final divorce judgment gives both parties clarity and structure moving forward. It’s important to get legal advice early on in the process to help ensure your interests are fully protected.
Contact Our Shreveport Divorce Lawyer for an Initial Consultation
Louisiana courts typically don’t divide up divorce proceedings into separate parts, but don’t lose hope altogether. If you’re trying to move on quickly or facing a long legal battle over finances or custody, you may still be able to take legal steps to protect your interests.
The experienced Shreveport divorce attorney at Knight Law Firm can help you understand your rights and whether a judge might consider granting a partial judgment under the circumstances of your case. We can also guide you through negotiations and make sure you’re not giving up anything important in the process.
Get in touch with us today at (318) 569-8469 to get started.
