Family Court
Hearing Officers
FAMILY COURT SYSTEM
Amendments to the 15th JDC Family Court Rules
Family Court Topics of Interest
Special Rules for Children Born to Unmarried Parents after August 1, 2016
family court forms
For a list of available forms and legal advice at the Lafayette Bar Association: https://www.lafayettebar.org/legal-forms
For a complete text of the Louisiana Supreme Court Title IV Rules and Appendices for Family Law Proceedings in District Courts (Effective July 1, 2015) click this link
Order to Appoint Curator and Re-set Hearings
FAMILY COURT INTERVENTION "KIDS FIRST" - ORDER FOR DRUG TESTING, SCREENING AND/OR ASSESSMENT
FAMILY COURT INTERVENTION "KIDS FIRST" - ORDER FOR HEARING TO REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS (IF HEARING DATE HAS PASSED DUE TO DELAYED REPORT OR IF HEARING NOT PREVIOUSLY SET)
FAMILY COURT INTERVENTION "KIDS FIRST" - ORDER IMPLEMENTING RECOMMENDATIONS, FOR MONITORING AND COSTS
FAMILY COURT INTERVENTION "KIDS FIRST" - ORDER FOR RE-ASSESSMENT
TITLE IV. APPENDIX 23.0D. HEARING OFFICER CONFERENCE AND INFORMATION ORDER
TITLE IV. APPENDIX 23.0B. FAMILY LAW AFFIDAVIT (WORD)
TITLE IV. APPENDIX 23.0B. FAMILY LAW AFFIDAVIT (FILLABLE FORM)
TITLE IV. APPENDIX 30.0A. SWORN DETAILED DESCRIPTIVE LIST
TITLE IV. APPENDIX 30.0C. JOINT DETAILED DESCRIPTIVE LIST
TITLE IV. APPENDIX 27.0A. LA. C.C. ART. 102 DIVORCE CHECKLIST
TITLE IV. APPENDIX 28.1B. LA. C.C.P. ART. 1702(E) DIVORCE CHECKLIST
TITLE IV. APPENDIX 28.2B. LA. C.C.P. ART. 969(B) DIVORCE CHECKLIST
ORDER FOR MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION
ORDER FOR RECONCILIATION COUNSELING AND SETTING HEARING
AFFIDAVIT FOR 103 DIVORCE (WITH CHILDREN)
ORDER APPOINTING PARENTING COORDINATOR
OBJECTION TO HEARING OFFICER RECOMMENDATION
MOTION AND ORDER TO WITHDRAW AS COUNSEL OF RECORD (A COPY OF DISTRICT COURT RULE 9.13 AND RULE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT 1.16 ARE INCLUDED)
NOTICE OF LIMITED APPEARANCE - FAMILY LAW CASES (DISTRICT COURT RULE APPENDIX 9.12A)
AUTHENTIC ACT OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PATERNITY TITLE IV. APPENDIX 23.0B. FAMILY LAW AFFIDAVIT
FAMILY COURT - ORDER TO APPOINT CURATOR AND RE-SET HEARINGS
Judges
All cases involving minor children
Honorable David A. Blanchet Division H
Honorable Susan Theall, Division M
Divorce cases without minor children
Honorable Scott Privat Division A
Honorable Valerie Gotch Garrett Division B
Honorable Thomas Frederick Division C
Honorable Royale Colbert Division D
Honorable Michelle M. Breaux Division E
Honorable David M. Smith Division F
Honorable Laurie A. Hulin Division G
Honorable Thomas R. Duplantier Division I
Honorable Kristian Earles Division J
Honorable Michelle Billeaud Division K
Honorable Marilyn Castle Division L
Adoptions
Adoptions are randomly allotted to the 13 District Judges listed above.
Hearing Officers
Vanessa Randall
Shawn Eller
Dennis Bundick
Karla Smith Courtney Guillory
COVID-19 NOTICE
1. Due to space limitations, Lafayette Hearing Officers Randall and Eller will only allow two (2) persons in their respective offices at a time for conferences, such as the two (2) attorneys if both parties are represented, the two (2) self-represented parties if neither party has an attorney or an attorney and a self-represented party. If attorney(s) would like their clients to appear by ZOOM, please contact the Hearing Officer staff at (337) 269-5755 or (337) 269-5756 at least thirty-six (36) hours in advance to make arrangements. Masks are required to be worn in conferences and in court.
2. Hearing Officer Bundick in Acadia and Vermilion Parishes has no restrictions for conferences or court.
3. Hearing Officer Sanford in Lafayette has no restrictions for conferences or court.
Family Court System
Overview of the 15th Judicial District Court Hearing Officer System:
15th JDC Family Court Rules:
On June 1, 2015, the Louisiana Supreme Court amended Title IV of the District Court Rules by adopting uniform rules for Family Courts. These rules contain a number of appendices that include existing local rules of the various Judicial Districts. A link to a complete set of the rules and appendices can be found on the Supreme Court Website by clicking this link
On May 23, 2018, Louisiana Civil Code Art. 132, was amended to provide that the court is to award custody in accordance with the parents’ agreement unless the provisions of the Post Separation Family Violence Relief Act (R.S. 9:364, et seq.) apply. Accordingly, the Court is required to inquire into whether there is a history of domestic violence between the parents in all custody matters. To assist attorneys and parties who are submitting custody judgments by consent or stipulation, this Court has developed Appendix 25.0 to Title IV of the Rules for District Courts to be submitted with all stipulated or consent custody judgments which can be viewed by clicking this link.