call for consultation
Child custody can be a contentious issue. A father might want to establish paternity so that you can petition the court for joint custody of a child. A mother might believe that sole custody would be in your child’s best interests. In either case, the first step you should take is to hire a New Sarpy child custody lawyer who can help.
Marino Law Firm, LLC, has been providing compassionate and comprehensive legal services to clients since 1986. Originally established by founding attorney Mark A. Marino upon graduating from law school with a J.D. from Louisiana State University Law Center, the firm takes on many complex child custody cases.
Since the firm’s founding, Mark A. Marino has been joined by his son Orrin A. Marino, whose primary focus is on family law. Orrin began by working as a student practitioner in the Family Law Clinic at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. He has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to deepening his knowledge of child custody laws and his ability to handle complex family law cases on an ongoing basis.
According to the America First Policy Institute, 46% of children in Louisiana live in single-parent homes. Living in a single-parent home doesn’t have to mean that children don’t have the benefit of having both of their parents involved in their lives. Judges in Louisiana prioritize joint custody when it is in the best interests of the child, so it is often possible for both mothers and fathers to share custody of their children.
Whether you want to establish paternity so that you can apply for joint custody or seek sole custody of a child due to concerns about the other parent’s potential unfitness, or make modifications to existing custody, you can hire a child custody lawyer to help you. Your attorney can:
Working with a skilled New Sarpy child custody attorney is the most effective way to protect both your parental rights and your child’s well-being.
Custody arrangements can take several forms in Louisiana. The primary types of custody are:
The parent with physical custody in Louisiana is typically referred to legally as the domiciliary parent. The parent who does not have physical custody is the non-custodial parent.
Both legal and physical custody can be assigned solely or jointly. In sole custody arrangements, parents have exclusive decision-making authority. Joint custody allows parents to share decision-making responsibilities and potential physical custody.
The courts prioritize one thing when handing down and enforcing custody orders in Louisiana, and it’s the child’s best interests. Judges want to make sure that the child’s well-being is protected and that they have a stable life with the right support. Factors that can influence what they consider to be in the child’s best interest include:
The rights and responsibilities of each parent regarding child custody are outlined in a custody agreement.
A father in Louisiana has an equal right to seek custody and visitation as long as he has established legal paternity. Married fathers have automatic rights when their children are born, as the state presumes they are the legal father. Unmarried fathers must sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity with the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services or get court-ordered genetic tests to establish paternity.
The downsides of having 50/50 custody in New Sarpy, Louisiana include the potential for increased parental conflict, logistical issues, and potential emotional stress for children. Moving back and forth between two homes can disrupt daily routines, and coordinating activities and school pickups or drop-offs can be difficult if the parents live far apart. Maintaining two households for children can also raise the overall cost of raising a child.
Issues that can make a parent legally unfit in Louisiana include conduct, mental states, or physical conditions that pose a substantial threat to the child’s well-being. This includes a history of:
The court takes all of these factors into consideration.
Louisiana is not automatically a 50/50 custody state. However, courts start with a strong presumption under Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:335 that physical custody should be shared equally when joint custody agreements are arranged, unless equal time is not feasible or is not in the child’s best interests. Judges can order unequal schedules if parents live far apart, have conflicting work schedules, or demonstrate parental unfitness.
If you are anticipating a custody battle upon getting divorced or want to petition for full or joint custody of a child born out of wedlock, you need to work with an experienced New Sarpy child custody lawyer.
The team here at Marino Law Firm, LLC, can help. Attorney Orrin A. Marino focuses his practice on family law, including the resolution of child custody issues.
When you work with our team, you can expect us to work efficiently to resolve your case while thoroughly explaining each step in the legal process and taking steps to protect your parental rights. Our top priority is our clients’ well-being and that of their families. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.
Marino Law Firm, LLC, represents clients throughout southeast Louisiana’s river parishes. During regular business hours, call our Destrehan, Louisiana, office-toll free at 985-764-1515 with any urgent matters, including updates to an existing case. Our staff is available to take messages, schedule appointments and answer question about nonlegal matters. Contact us to arrange a consultation with an experienced Destrehan family law attorney and criminal defense lawyer.
call for consultation 985-764-1515
104 Campus Drive East
Suite 101
Destrehan, LA 70047
© 2026 Marino Law Firm, LLC• All Rights Reserved. *Images are obtained under license from Canva and other third-party stock image providers, with attribution included where required. Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy. Digital Marketing By: 
