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 reconventional 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, courts give each party equal time with the children. That can be almost any schedule that works for the parent: one week with each parents, two day with one parent, two days with the other, and alternating weekend, or something else the parties agree to.
If you want more info on custody, go to our Custody 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 extracurricular.
If you want more info for child support, go to our Child Support page here.
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.
If you want more info on alimony, go to our Alimony page here.
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.) Most of my cases are joint custody. Only in case of abuse or substance abuse do I see sole custody awarded.
If you want more info on custody, go to our Custody page here.
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.
Abuse also changes spousal support, cost of the divorce, and custody.
If you want more info on dealing with abuse, go to our Abuse page here.
Substance abuse can cause a parent to lose custody. The key factors are (1) what substances are being abused; (2) how often is the person abusing the substance. Proving the substance abuse is not easy, and you need a lawyer experienced in handling those types of cases.
If you want more info on dealing with abuse, go to our Abuse page here.
Our Practice Areas
At Gallagher and Westholz, we focus on helping families navigate challenging transitions with clarity and care. Whether you are 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.
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 parents understand their financial responsibilities and work together to create support agreements that meet the needs of their children. We look to tailor creative 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
Schedule Your Consultation
Contact our office to schedule an initial meeting with Mr. Gallagher.
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
Mr. Gallagher is there to listen to your situation and talk to you about what is likely happen in the divorce. Just learning about what happens help reduce most client's anxiety.
Ask Mr. Gallagher to Get Started
The last step is to sign a fee agreement and pay your retainer/ advanced deposit. Once that is done, Mr. Gallagher draft the Petition and files it in court.
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
+1 504-323-0660
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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