Lake Charles Family Law Attorney

Compassionate legal support for families in Lake Charles

When family issues become legal ones, you deserve an advocate who understands not only the law, but what’s at stake for you personally. The experienced family attorneys at The Johnson Firm have guided parents and families across Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish through divorce, custody disputes, and other family matters with compassion and respect, so you can protect your future and your peace of mind.

Call The Johnson Firm today at (337) 433-1414 to schedule a consultation with a Lake Charles family law attorney.

Family law is more than divorce

A family case is a form of civil case that’s heard in the Louisiana family court. Civil cases involve disputes between two people, whereas criminal cases involve the state or federal government prosecuting someone for a crime. Louisiana family law is governed primarily by the Louisiana Civil Code and related statutes that define marriage and parental rights.

Family court has limited jurisdiction. In some instances, criminal and family law can overlap, such as in cases involving domestic abuse. If you’re the victim of domestic violence, you may have an ongoing case in a family court, while the other party may face a separate case in criminal court.

Types of family law cases

The Johnson Firm’s family law attorneys have been helping families across Southwest Louisiana since 1980. We approach every case with compassion and a focus on finding the best possible outcome for our clients.

Divorce

When you’re going through a divorce, having steady legal guidance makes all the difference. Our divorce lawyers in Lake Charles help with custody, support, and property matters, working toward a fair outcome that allows you to move forward with stability and peace of mind.

Read more:

• How long does a divorce take?
• How much does divorce cost?
• How do you file for divorce in Louisiana?

Child custody

Custody decisions are often the most emotional part of a family law case. When parents can’t agree, the court decides custody based on the child’s best interests, considering factors like stability, the parent–child relationship, and each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs. A child custody lawyer can help parents create parenting plans that prioritize children’s well-being while protecting parental rights.

Child and spousal support

When custody is involved, financial arrangements often need to be addressed as well. Our child and spousal support attorneys help parents understand their rights and obligations under Louisiana law and work toward fair support agreements.

In Louisiana, child support calculations are based on a formula that considers several factors: each parent’s income, the amount of time the child spends with each parent, child care expenses, health insurance premiums paid on behalf of the child, and any extraordinary child expenses.

Spousal support, sometimes referred to as alimony, is a separate support amount that may be awarded to a spouse during and after a divorce. Louisiana courts may award two kinds of support:

• Interim support: temporary payments while a divorce is pending, often for a spouse who relied on the other for income.
• Final periodic support: longer-term payments for a spouse free from fault who can’t meet their own needs after divorce.

Since there’s no set formula, your attorney’s ability to present financial evidence clearly is crucial to achieving a fair outcome.

Community property partition

In Louisiana, most assets and debts gained during a marriage belong to both spouses. When it’s time to divide marital assets, our Lake Charles family law attorneys help make sure the process is fair and accurate. We also guide clients through more complicated situations, like dividing a family business or sorting out separate property.

Contempt of court

When someone doesn’t follow a court order, like missing child support payments or ignoring a custody schedule, the other party can ask the court to step in through a contempt motion. Our contempt of court attorneys help clients on both sides of these situations, working to resolve problems quickly while protecting your rights and your family’s best interests.

Adoption attorney

Adoption is one of the most rewarding parts of family law. Our adoption attorneys assist with private, agency, and step-parent adoptions, ensuring all paperwork, hearings, and parental rights terminations comply with Louisiana law. We’re proud to help families grow and provide children with loving and permanent homes.

Prenuptial agreements

A prenuptial agreement in Louisiana helps couples protect their assets, clarify financial responsibilities, and avoid disputes in the event of divorce. Our attorneys draft clear, fair, and enforceable agreements that comply with state law. Whether you’re entering a first marriage or blending families, a well-drafted prenup can give both partners peace of mind.

Benefits of working with a family law attorney

Many areas of family law can be incredibly complex. Our law firm doesn’t just help you protect your legal rights; we also serve as your advocate and help you seek a fair resolution.

Even if you and your spouse agree on most issues, an attorney can:

• Make sure you’re protected legally
• Ensure financial issues are fair
• Make sure paperwork is completed correctly

In a more contentious divorce or child custody matter, a family law attorney in Lake Charles can:

• Prevent bullying and intimidation
• Seek financial security for yourself and/or your children
• Provide objective support
• Make sure the agreement is fair

Legal counsel is especially important if you believe your spouse is hiding assets, you’ve been subjected to abuse or neglect, you’re seeking spousal support, or you’re filing for divorce on the grounds of fault.

What to look for when hiring a family law attorney

You have many options when hiring a family law attorney in Lake Charles to represent you. As you compare attorneys in your area, don’t only consider their experience and expertise, but also consider how comfortable you feel with them after a consultation.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, including how much experience they have with cases similar to yours, past results they’ve achieved, and the strategy they would use to help resolve your case.

When choosing an attorney, ask yourself:

• Is the attorney easy to understand?
• Do you feel comfortable with their approach and having them represent you in negotiations or court?
• Most importantly, do you trust them with your case and your family?

Client testimonials for our Lake Charles family law attorneys

Our clients’ words reflect the trust and results that The Johnson Firm has built across Southwest Louisiana:

★★★★★

“The Johnson Firm worked on getting me custody of my grandson. They did an amazing job! Very professional. They did things smoothly and on time! I got full custody and everything I asked for. I highly recommend them!”

★★★★★

“We have had phenomenal success working with The Johnson Firm. Our attorney, Becky Hunter, and her paralegal make an amazing team and really put the work in when it came to the details of our case. They remained thorough and professional from beginning to end, and we would not only like to thank them for their hard work but commend them on their efforts. We would recommend The Johnson Firm over and over.”

Local family law resources in Lake Charles

These resources may be helpful for families navigating legal matters in Lake Charles. While The Johnson Firm isn’t affiliated with these organizations, our attorneys often work alongside them to help clients access local support.

• Fourteenth Judicial District Court – Family Division: 1000 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
• Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court: 1000 Ryan Street, Room 5, Lake Charles, LA 70601
• Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services: 3227 Enterprise Boulevard, Lake Charles, LA 70601
• Family & Youth Counseling Agency: 220 Louie Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601

Frequently asked questions about family law