Child Custody Lawyer in Metairie and Jefferson Parish
Custody decisions shape how much time you spend with your children — and how involved you are in their education, healthcare, and daily life. When those decisions are being made, you need someone who understands Louisiana custody law and will fight to make sure your role in your children's lives is taken seriously. At Macaluso Law, I work directly with every client. You won't be handed off to a paralegal or a junior associate. You'll work with me, from your first consultation through resolution.
Louisiana's Custody Law Is Changing in 2026 — Here's What It Means for Your Case
Act 605, signed into law and effective August 1, 2026, changes the default standard for child custody in Louisiana. Under the new law, courts are directed to presume that equal sharing of physical custody — 50/50 — is in the best interest of the child. This is a significant departure from prior law, which left more room for judicial discretion without a defined starting point.
What this means in practice:
- If your case is filed or pending after August 1, 2026, the court begins from a presumption of equal time.
- A parent seeking more than 50% physical custody will need to demonstrate why equal sharing is not in the child's best interest.
- Factors like each parent's work schedule, the child's school and routines, and each parent's involvement in daily care will carry more weight in the analysis.
- The law does not eliminate the court's ability to award unequal custody — it raises the bar for departing from equal sharing.
Understanding how Act 605 affects your specific situation is one of the first conversations we should have.
How I Help Clients Through Custody Disputes in Southeast Louisiana
Every custody case is different. Some parents reach an agreement with the right guidance and structure. Others require litigation. My background includes experience on both sides of contested family law matters, and I know how courts in Jefferson Parish and Orleans Parish approach these cases. Whether you are establishing custody for the first time, modifying an existing order, or navigating a high-conflict dispute, I can help you understand your position and build a strategy around it.
Areas I handle in custody cases:
- Initial custody determinations for unmarried or divorcing parents
- Modifications to existing custody and visitation orders
- Relocation disputes when one parent wants to move
- Enforcement when a custody order is being ignored
- Grandparent and third-party custody matters where applicable under Louisiana law
If you are looking for a child custody lawyer near Metairie or a custody attorney serving Jefferson Parish and the surrounding area, I am available to meet at either of my two Southeast Louisiana office locations.
What to Expect Before Your Case Goes to Court
In Jefferson Parish and St. Tammany Parish, mediation is required before a custody dispute can proceed to litigation. This is not a formality — it is a genuine opportunity to reach an agreement that reflects your family's actual situation rather than a ruling from a judge who has never met your children. I offer mediation as a standalone service and can guide you through that process whether or not I am also serving as your litigation counsel.
For clients who are preparing for a custody evaluation, knowing what to expect before you walk in makes a real difference. Louisiana courts appoint evaluators to assess each parent's relationship with the child, home environment, and ability to meet the child's needs. I help clients understand how evaluations work, what evaluators look for, and how to present themselves clearly and honestly throughout the process.
What Our Clients Say
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Custody in Louisiana
How does the new Louisiana custody law affect me?
If your custody case is filed or pending after August 1, 2026, the court will start from a presumption that equal physical custody — 50/50 — is in your child's best interest under Act 605. This means neither parent has an automatic advantage, but it also means that if you believe equal sharing is not appropriate given your circumstances, you will need to demonstrate that with specific evidence. The law applies to new cases and to modification proceedings filed after the effective date.If your custody case is filed or pending after August 1, 2026, the court will start from a presumption that equal physical custody — 50/50 — is in your child's best interest under Act 605. This means neither parent has an automatic advantage, but it also means that if you believe equal sharing is not appropriate given your circumstances, you will need to demonstrate that with specific evidence. The law applies to new cases and to modification proceedings filed after the effective date.Can I find a child custody lawyer near Metairie who handles cases in New Orleans too?
Yes. Macaluso Law serves clients throughout Southeast Louisiana, including Metairie, Harahan, New Orleans, Kenner, and surrounding parishes. I handle custody matters in Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Tammany Parish, and beyond. Both office locations are convenient for clients across the region.Yes. Macaluso Law serves clients throughout Southeast Louisiana, including Metairie, Harahan, New Orleans, Kenner, and surrounding parishes. I handle custody matters in Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, St. Tammany Parish, and beyond. Both office locations are convenient for clients across the region.What is the difference between physical custody and legal custody in Louisiana?
Physical custody refers to where the child lives and which parent is responsible for day-to-day care. Legal custody refers to the right to make decisions about the child's education, healthcare, and upbringing. Louisiana courts frequently award joint legal custody — shared decision-making — even when physical custody is not equally divided. The two are separate determinations and can be structured differently based on your family's circumstances.Physical custody refers to where the child lives and which parent is responsible for day-to-day care. Legal custody refers to the right to make decisions about the child's education, healthcare, and upbringing. Louisiana courts frequently award joint legal custody — shared decision-making — even when physical custody is not equally divided. The two are separate determinations and can be structured differently based on your family's circumstances.Is mediation required before a custody case goes to court in Jefferson Parish?
Yes. Jefferson Parish and St. Tammany Parish both require mediation before a custody dispute can proceed to a contested hearing. Mediation gives both parents the opportunity to reach an agreement outside of court, which is often faster, less expensive, and more tailored to your family's needs than a judicial ruling. I offer mediation services and can walk you through what that process looks like.Yes. Jefferson Parish and St. Tammany Parish both require mediation before a custody dispute can proceed to a contested hearing. Mediation gives both parents the opportunity to reach an agreement outside of court, which is often faster, less expensive, and more tailored to your family's needs than a judicial ruling. I offer mediation services and can walk you through what that process looks like.How is child custody decided if both parents cannot agree?
When parents cannot reach an agreement through mediation or negotiation, the court will hold a hearing and make a determination based on the best interest of the child standard. The judge considers factors including each parent's relationship with the child, the stability of each home environment, the child's age and needs, each parent's ability to encourage a relationship with the other parent, and — under Act 605 — a presumption of equal sharing as the starting point. Having an attorney who understands how Louisiana courts weigh these factors is important before you step into that hearing.When parents cannot reach an agreement through mediation or negotiation, the court will hold a hearing and make a determination based on the best interest of the child standard. The judge considers factors including each parent's relationship with the child, the stability of each home environment, the child's age and needs, each parent's ability to encourage a relationship with the other parent, and — under Act 605 — a presumption of equal sharing as the starting point. Having an attorney who understands how Louisiana courts weigh these factors is important before you step into that hearing.
Ready to Talk Through Your Custody Situation?
Custody cases move quickly once they are filed, and the decisions made early in the process can shape the outcome. Whether your situation is just beginning or you are dealing with a modification or enforcement issue, I am available to meet, listen, and give you a clear picture of where you stand. Contact Macaluso Law to schedule a consultation at either of my Southeast Louisiana office locations.
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