Current as of June 14, 2020
Most legal deadlines in Louisiana are suspended through July 5, 2020 and most family law courts are only hearing emergency cases such as:
Some matters may be filed remotely (by fax, mail, or e-filing). Your local court may have a longer list of matters being heard and accepted.
Yes. Other than the emergency matters above, all family law deadlines are automatically extended through at least July 5, 2020. Action will be required come July 6, 2020. The Court may contact you or your attorney if your case is currently scheduled for a hearing or status conference. Most non-emergency matters will be rescheduled. You can always call the court directly for an update on your case.
For more details and updates about the extended deadlines, please check our COVID-19 resources at https://slls.org/faq-for-legal-deadlines-during-the-covid-19-crisis/ or consult an attorney.
All major courts should be open in some way for emergencies, including but not limited to civil protection/restraining orders, emergency custody matters, and stopping illegal evictions. If you believe you have an emergency or cannot get access to the court, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) may be able to assist or advise for free. Please call one of the numbers at the bottom of this flyer for more information.
If you believe you or your children are in immediate danger, you can still request a restraining order. Louisiana Protection Order Forms are available on most court websites. If you need a restraining/protection order, or cannot get access to the forms, SLLS may be able to assist or advise for free. See the numbers at the bottom of this flyer for the number to call in your area.
This is an emergency that the courts should be open for. SLLS may be able to assist or advise for free. Please call one of the numbers at the bottom of this FAQ.
All protection and restraining orders are extended through at least July 5, 2020. Also, some Louisiana courts have extended their protection and restraining orders longer.
Please be aware that the police or sheriffs may not know about this extension, and your abuser probably does not know about the extension either. If you are having any issues, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services may be able to assist or advise for free. Please call one of the numbers at the bottom of this flyer.
Many organizations locally and around the country remain open to help you with your needs, from counseling services to emergency shelter or help with filing for a protective order. Because of Covid-19, many services normally available in person are available by phone or video chat. There are 24/7 domestic violence hotlines including:
Metro Center for Community Advocacy | Jefferson, St. Charles, St. John, St. James Parishes | 1-504-837-5400 |
Safe Harbor | St. Tammany, Washington Parishes | 1-985-626-5740 |
SAFE | Tangipahoa, Livingston, St. Helena, Washington Parishes | 1-985-542-8384 |
The Haven | Houma area (Terrebonne, Lafourche, Assumption Parishes) | 1-800-915-0045 or 1-800-777-8868 |
IRIS | Baton Rouge area | 1-225-389-3001 |
New Orleans Family Justice Center/Crescent house | New Orleans area | 1-504-866-9554 or 1-504-592-4005 |
STAR | New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Central Louisiana areas | 1-855-435-STAR |
Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence | All of Louisiana | 1-888-411-1333 |
National Domestic Violence Hotline | United States | 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-799-7233, or log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522 |
If any of these resources are no longer available, please call our COVID-19 Hotline (1-844-244-7871) to let us know and so we can connect you to other resources.