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New Orleans Family Law, Divorce and Custody Lawyer

Jane recognizes that divorce and other family law matters are extremely difficult for everyone involved and significantly impact your life. As an experienced Family Law attorney, Jane is adept at representing clients in all areas of family law including those involving divorce matters with related real property and business issues, spousal and child support, child custody, prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, same-sex marriages, domestic partnerships and any legal area that requires experience and care.

With over 30 years of experience Jane stays up to date on the ever-changing procedures and relevant law so as to provide the utmost in representation. Well respected in the legal community – and community at large – Jane was even named a “Super Lawyer(tm)” in 2019.

If you have questions about your own situation, feel free to call 504-482-5292 or fill out our contact form. The initial consultation is free of charge.

Divorce is hard!

Jane recognizes that even the ‘best’ divorce will probably
one of the more challenging things you will ever face. Getting divorced is a
difficult, emotionally charged process for everyone and can be a legally
complex proceeding. Jane strives to reduce the stress of the process by taking
the time to explain the various steps involved, providing security in a
challenging time. Jane recognizes that each divorce client’s situation is
unique and very personal and she offers the skill and knowledge to ensure her
clients get timely and fair resolutions.

During the daunting process of divorce, knowing what to expect can help ease the stress and create a sense of security at a time when you may be uncertain about your future, especially when children are involved.

A full array of divorce & custody services

Jane has extensive experience in all aspects of divorce, including – but not limited to:

  • Domestic violence and restraining orders.
  • Temporary orders for custody, support, and marital property.
  • All aspects of property division and community property disputes.
  • Prenuptial & Post-nuptial Agreements – be it creating or litigating such agreements.
  • All matters related to children, such as custody, visitation, and child support.
  • Alimony, also called spousal support, as it relates to married couples.
  • LGBTQ matters, including same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships.
  • Appeals of family court/civil court orders.
  • Post-divorce modifications of court orders.

About the cost of a Divorce.

It’s very reasonable to want know about the costs involved in a divorce as it is often a frightening time financially. Unfortunately, as each case is unique, it is impossible to address cost without a consultation (the initial consultation is free) in order to identify the elements that will determine cost. Some factors that will affect the cost of divorce are:

  • Whether children are involved and if there is agreement on things like child custody and support.
  • Whether the parties will divide a business, atypical assets or a pension or retirement plan.
  • The nature of any contested issues and the likelihood of amicable resolution.
  • Whether the parties will divide a business or pension/retirement plan.
  • Whether the case produces legal questions not already addressed in Louisiana law.
  • The level of cooperation between the opposing parties and their lawyers.
  • Litigation costs such as expert witnesses, etc., if needed.

We respect that you have questions, concerns and anxieties regarding your situation, so call – or fill out our contact form – today to schedule your free initial consultation.

Skilled and Focused Legal Advocacy for Child Custody, Visitation and Support

While divorce is difficult enough, when children are involved it’s even more challenging. Since, issues of child custody and visitation are highly sensitive, critical aspects of family law, and decisions made in that process will have a significant impact on your children and your parenting role, it’s extremely important that you chose an attorney well-versed in the law, and with whom you are comfortable.


As Jane is an experienced divorce attorney, she knows that courts must consider the best interests of children when deciding child custody and visitation matters. This standard requires the court to weigh various factors in determining what’s best for the children. And, factors for a child support calculation can be a source of argument between divorcing parents. Jane can help you navigate this complex issue in order to achieve a fair, timely outcome in order to best serve you and your child, or children.

Jane can help you navigate a bevy of child custody-related matters, such as:

  • Child Custody evaluations
  • Supervised visitation if needed
  • Determining child support
  • Child abduction, such as Hague Convention cases and those involving Interpol.
  • Parent relocation petitions
  • Paternity and DNA testing
  • Parental alienation remedies
  • IRS dependency exemptions for children

Property Settlements: Dividing your Marital Estate in Louisiana

In Louisiana in a simple divorce, a couple equally divide their modest assets and move on with their lives. However, in some dissolutions, the legalities and ‘calculus’ of community property can be quite complicated. Dividing the estate ‘straight down the middle’ might be unfeasible, and the complexities of certain estates may warrant more creative thinking and solutions. There could be disagreement about the value of different assets, or whether a community property interest even exists. This is when an experienced New Orleans divorce lawyer can be valuable.

Since estates and dissolutions differ, working with an experienced divorce attorney – with whom your comfortable – who will knowledgeably address the situation is important.

Jane helps her clients to understand the law, carefully choose their battles and help them to ultimately secure a property settlement in the best possible financial position.

With clients ranging from popular entertainers to spouses of high income earners, Jane is accustomed to solving challenging legal and financial dilemmas, and knowledgeably addresses the numerous aspects of marital wealth that arise in divorce, such as:

  • Complex property division/distribution
  • Business and professional practice valuations
  • Retirement portfolios
  • Transmutation of assets
  • Credit cards, loans and debt
  • Community property, as opposed to separate property
  • Deferred compensation
  • Appreciated value of separate property
  • Assets from trusts
  • Alimony payments versus lump-sum distributions
  • Prenuptial or post-nuptial agreements
  • Tax considerations
  • Bankruptcy as it relates to divorce

Jane also has experience in handling property division among unmarried couples, such as high net worth clients who cohabitated but never married, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual or queer (“LGBTQ+”) clients who have accumulated wealth together.

Alimony or Spousal Support

Separating and getting a divorce can be challenging financially, with uncertainty leading to additional stress. Laws governing alimony, or spousal support, are complex and whether you are seeking alimony or have been requested to pay spousal support the guidance of an experienced New Orleans divorce attorney can be critical.

Getting alimony and spousal support and determining the amount can be affected by many factors, such as:

  • The length of the marriage
  • The standard of living established during the marriage
  • Financial resources and liabilities of each party, including separate property
  • The needs of each party
  • The age and health of each spouse
  • Each party’s source(s) of income
  • Tax consequences to each party
  • The impact of the custodial parent’s employment on the needs of the minor children
  • The contribution of each party to domestic duties
  • Each spouse’s ability to be self-supporting
  • Domestic violence
  • The contribution of each party to the education and training of the other party

Jane can provide clarity and guidance as to the law and requirements regarding spousal support, so call 504-482-5292 today, or e-mail.

Prenuptial Agreements

When preparing for marriage, the concept of a prenuptial agreement can be a delicate topic, at best, and the source of stress on the relationship, at worst. However, a prenuptial agreement can ultimately remove stress as it provides a clear and mutually agreed upon “road map” should the relationship falter.

Jane recognizes that while a gentle hand might be necessary with a prenuptial agreement, it can still be a sound idea for both parties and the balance can be struck in protecting the finances of both husband and wife as you build a lasting, meaningful relationship.

To learn more about prenuptial agreements, schedule a complimentary initial consultation – call 504-482-5292, today.

Postnuptial Agreements

Similar to a prenuptial agreement, a postnuptial agreement is created after the marriage has begun, for couples who did not create a prenuptial agreement.

A postnuptial agreement offers married couples an opportunity to protect each individual’s assets and financial health in the event of a legal separation or divorce. Although post martial agreements largely circumvent emotionally sensitive hardships associated with negotiating a prenuptial agreement, it comes with its own set of difficulties and complexities.

There are many reasons a couple may decide to create a postnuptial agreement. You might not want your spouse to be part of your new business or business dealings. There may be children from a previous marriage you want to protect or support. You might want those children to receive certain assets you acquired before you entered into this marriage but just did not have the time, before the wedding, to create a prenuptial agreement.

If you think a postnuptial agreement might be something you’re interested in taking a look at, contact Jane for an initial consultation today at 504-482-5292.