How to File a Property Settlement Agreement in Louisiana

When a married couple in Louisiana decide to end the marriage, they may have a variety of issues to resolve, including the division of any marital property. If the parties reach an amicable agreement regarding the marital property, they must reduce the agreement to writing and file the agreement with the court where the divorce is pending. The settlement agreement then becomes part of the final decree of divorce.

• 1

  Confirm that the agreement has been signed, initialed and dated by both you and your spouse in all the appropriate places. If the agreement is more than one page, you will likely be required to initial all pages and then sign and date the last page. The agreement will not be accepted by the court without all appropriate signatures.

• 2

  Make at least three copies of the agreement. You will file the original with the court and have the court clerk file-stamp two copies.

• 3

  Deliver the agreement and copies to the court where the divorce is pending in person or by mail. If you deliver them in person, take them to the clerk of court and ask her to file the original and file-stamp the two copies. If you mail them, include a note asking the clerk to file the original and mail back the two file-stamped copies in an envelope that you provide.

• 4

  Provide your spouse with a file-stamped copy of the agreement once it has been filed with the court and keep the other file-stamped copy for your records.