Experienced family divorce lawyer in Metairie
Resolving family legal matters with experience, care, and a commitment to helping you move forward.
FAQ
Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have about the divorce process. We’re here to provide clear answers and support as you navigate this challenging time.
The first step is one person files a Petition in court. The other party then files an Answer and recommended demands. It does not matter who files first. ____. After a waiting period, you go back to court to finalize your divorce ____. The big issues decided first are: child custody, child support, alimony, and who gets to live in the house.
If you want more info for the divorce process, go to our (page link) page here.
In almost every case, court give each party equal time with the children. That can be almost any schedule that works for the parents: one week with each parents, two day with one parent, two weeks ___ alternating, or something else the parties agree to.
If you want more info for the divorce process, go to our (page link) page here.
Child support in Louisiana is based on:
- Both parents’ income
- The number of children
- The custody arrangement
A child support worksheet is used to determine the recommended amount. Mediation can also help address specific child-related expenses like healthcare, school, or extracurriculars.
In Louisiana, alimony is called “spousal support.” There are two types of spousal support: “interim” and “final.”
- Interim Spousal Support
This provides financial assistance during the divorce to maintain the standard of living. It can last through the divorce process and up to six months after the divorce is final. - Final Spousal Support
May be awarded after the divorce, depending on need, income disparity, and fault.
Custody can be:
- Joint custody – Parents share decision-making
- Sole custody – One parent makes all the decisions.
The court always considers the child’s best interests, including factors like parental stability, emotional ties, cooperation, and any history of abuse. (Exceptions to this involve physical/sexual abuse, substance abuse, or children under 5 years old.)
Louisiana law says if there is a history of physical or sexual abuse, called “family violence,” the abuser spouse will only receive supervised visitation with the kids. The law protects the victims, but we must prove a “history” of physical or sexual abuse. Emotional or verbal abuse is not enough.
Substance abuse can cause a parent to loouse custody. The key factors are (1) what substances are being abused; (2) how often is the person abusing the substance. Proving the abuse is not easy, and you need a laywer experienced in handling those types of cases.
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Our Practice Areas
At Gallagher and Westholz Law Firm, we focus on helping families navigate challenging transitions with clarity and care. Whether you’re facing divorce, child custody decisions, or financial support issues, we offer experienced legal guidance and mediation services designed to keep conflict low and solutions practical. Our goal is to help you reach lasting, respectful agreements — all without the stress and expense of courtroom litigation.
Divorce
Whether you're pursuing a peaceful separation or navigating the legal steps of divorce, we help make the process less overwhelming. Our goal is to guide you toward fair, practical resolutions without unnecessary conflict.
Child Custody
Custody decisions are deeply personal. We work with parents to build parenting plans that reflect your child’s best interests — focusing on cooperation, clarity, and long-term stability for your family.
Child Support
We help both parents understand their financial responsibilities and work together to create support agreements that meet the needs of their children. Mediation offers flexibility to tailor solutions beyond what a court might impose.
Spousal Support
Louisiana law provides for spousal support when one partner may need financial help during or after the divorce. We assist in open, respectful conversations about support based on need, income, and fairness — avoiding unnecessary legal battles.
About Me
Lawyer with over 30 years of extensive experience, focusing on divorce and family law matters for the past 20 years.
With over 30 years of legal experience, I have dedicated the past 20 years exclusively to divorce and family law matters. My approach centers on “counter punching”: we try to work through out fairly, but if they “punch” us, we “hit back hard.” By focusing on working throughout, I strive to help families navigate transitions smoothly, preserving relationships and reducing the emotional and financial toll often associated with litigation.
Best Legal Advice
Navigating family law matters can be challenging. My foremost advice is to consider mediation as a first step. Mediation empowers you to maintain control over decisions that affect your family’s future, fostering cooperative solutions tailored to your unique situation. This process not only saves time and resources but also lays the groundwork for healthier post-divorce relationships
How It Works
Mediation helps you and the other party work through family issues with the guidance of a neutral professional — no court battles, just practical solutions.
Schedule Your Consultation
You and the other party each contact our office to schedule a two-hour mediation session. We’ll work with everyone’s availability to find a time that works.
Tell Us What Worries You the Most
Before your session, our client coordinator will reach out to learn about your concerns and what you hope to achieve through mediation. This helps us tailor the session to your unique situation.
Meet with Mr. Gallagher
On the day of mediation, both parties will meet with the mediator in a private, neutral setting. The mediator will explain how the process works and ensure that both sides feel heard and respected.
Ask Mr. Gallagher to Get Started
Whether you're discussing custody, child support, spousal support, or property, the mediator will guide the conversation and help you work through each issue constructively. You stay in control — not a judge.
What Our Clients Say
We’re grateful for the trust our clients place in us during such important transitions. These kind words reflect the care and commitment we bring to every case.
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John Doe
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Jessica Smith
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Steve Rogers
Office Locations
Visit us at 111 Veterans Blvd, Suite 1400, Metairie, LA 70005. Conveniently located in the heart of Metairie, our office offers a private and accessible space to meet and resolve family matters.
Metairie, Louisiana
111 Veterans Blvd # 1400, Metairie, LA 70005
+1 504-887-2220
Let's talk
Have questions or ready to move forward? We’re here to listen and help. Reach out today to schedule your mediation or learn more about how we can support your family through this process.
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