Louisiana Divorce Rates and Statistics

Louisiana’s divorce rates are a bit of a statistical paradox. When measured per 1,000 residents, the state shows one of the lowest rates in the country, around 0.9 to 1.4 divorces, largely due to a low overall marriage rate and reporting quirks. However, when considering divorces per 1,000 married women, Louisiana jumps to the top quartile nationally, revealing that marriages that do happen are more likely to end in divorce. This contrast highlights how the method of measurement can drastically change the interpretation of the data. So yes, in Louisiana, it seems you’re either happily unmarried or very efficiently divorced.

In Louisiana, the average length of a marriage that ends in divorce is not specifically reported. Nationally, the median duration for a first marriage that ends in divorce is about 8 years. So, if you’re planning to tie the knot here, you might want to set an 8-year timer on that “happily ever after.”

Divorce Rate in Louisiana in 2025

1. Paradoxical Divorce Rankings
   • Crude divorce rate: Very low (0.7–0.9 per 1,000 residents).
   • Refined divorce rate: High among married women due to social and financial stress.
   • Fewer marriages = fewer divorces, but the ones that happen are intense.
2. Covenant Marriage Pioneer
   • Louisiana introduced Covenant Marriage in 1997.
   • Couples must undergo premarital counseling, seek marital counseling before divorce, and meet strict fault-based or extended separation criteria. Only a tiny fraction sign up, because who doesn’t love mandatory counseling before you can break up?
3. Minimal Covenant Uptake
   • Historically, only 2–6% of couples choose this option.
   • Its impact on statewide divorce rates is negligible.
4. Strict Community Property Law
   • Louisiana follows Napoleonic Civil Law and Community Property Law.
   • Assets and debts acquired during marriage are split 50/50. Yes, share everything equally—because marriage is all about equality, right?
5. Long Mandatory Waiting Periods (No-Fault Divorce)
   • Without children: 180 days (6 months).
   • With minor children: 365 days (1 year).
6. Fault-Based Divorce Option
   • Can bypass waiting periods by proving adultery or felony conviction. Finally, a shortcut—assuming you can prove someone committed adultery or went to jail.
7. High Financial and Stress Factors
   • High refined divorce rates are fueled by lower incomes, higher poverty, and family stress (often top three nationally).

Divorce Rate in Louisiana in 2024

1. Paradoxical Rate: Lowest Crude, High Refined
   • Crude divorce rate: Very low (0.7–0.9 per 1,000 residents) due to low marriage rates and reporting quirks.
   • Refined divorce rate: High among married couples, placing Louisiana in the nation’s top 25%.
   • Fewer people marry, but if you do, watch out.
2. Unique “Covenant Marriage” Option
   • One of only three U.S. states offering Covenant Marriage.
   • Couples must undergo premarital counseling, agree to marital counseling if problems arise, and give up no-fault divorce rights. Because nothing says “romance” like legally enforced counseling and hoops to jump through before breaking up.
3. Waiting Periods Based on Children
   • No minor children: 180 days (6 months) separation.
   • With minor children: 365 days (1 year) separation.
4. Fault Still Grounds for Immediate Divorce
   • Adultery or felony conviction allows bypassing no-fault waiting periods. Good news: proving someone cheated or went to jail fast-tracks your freedom.
5. Community Property State
   • Louisiana follows Civil Law and Community Property rules.
   • Assets acquired during marriage are split 50/50 by default.
6. 2024 Law Changes for Property Allocation
   • Courts now consider child custody, liquidity of assets, and any domestic abuse or financial control history when dividing property. Because nothing spices up divorce like a court checklist of your personal life drama.
7. Military Impact in Bossier Parish
   • High divorce rates linked to military stress, frequent deployments, and economic pressures near bases.

Divorce Rate in Louisiana in 2023

1. Lowest Official Crude Rate (Data Paradox)
   • Louisiana’s official crude divorce rate in 2023 was very low (~0.9 per 1,000 residents).
   • This is misleading due to low marriage rates and delayed or incomplete reporting.
   • Fewer marriages = fewer divorces, but that doesn’t mean marriages are stable.
2. High Refined Rate Suggests Instability
   • Among married women, divorce likelihood is above the national average.
   • Factors include lower median income and economic stress. So, yes—married folks are quietly panicking while the stats look calm.
3. Longest Mandatory Waiting Periods (No-Fault Divorce)
   • With minor children: 365 days separation.
   • Without minor children: 180 days separation.
4. Covenant Marriage Option
   • Introduced in 1997, couples must undergo premarital counseling and can only divorce on limited fault grounds or after a long separation.
   • Historically, only ~1% of couples choose this option.Because who wouldn’t want a “divorce obstacle course” for fun?
5. Community Property State
   • Louisiana is one of nine states following Community Property Law.
   • All assets and debts acquired during marriage are split 50/50 by default.
6. Fault Still Matters for Alimony
   • Courts consider marital fault (e.g., adultery or abuse) when awarding spousal support.
   • Abuse can allow a spouse to file for immediate divorce, bypassing long waiting periods. Nothing says “fairness” like proving your spouse did something terrible to get your freedom or support.