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Last Modified on Dec 26, 2025
Divorcing couples can obtain a more simplified and less draining divorce through a divorce settlement conference. While the process is less formal than a trial, it is still important to be prepared. That’s why you should know what to bring to your first lafayette divorce settlement conference. It is crucial that you prepare for the process. The documents and plans you need depend on what aspects of the divorce you will be negotiating.
Important Aspects of Divorce Settlement Conference Cases
Divorce settlement conferences are a cost-effective way to resolve a divorce case to help a couple avoid a lengthy court proceeding. It can attempt to resolve issues out of court between spouses. This is true whether the settlement conference is voluntary or court-ordered by the Lafayette Parish Courthouse of the 15th Judicial District Court. Couples need to negotiate some of the following aspects:
- Division of property, including marital assets and debts
- Spousal support, or payments made from one spouse to the other during or after the divorce
- Child custody, including legal and physical custody, along with whether custody will be shared, joint, or separate
- Child support so both parents will financially provide for the children
- A parenting plan, which details the specifics of custody arrangements
What you bring to a divorce settlement conference will rely on which of these aspects you and your spouse need to negotiate. Divorce settlement conference laws require all elements of your divorce to be considered. By preparing your goals, potential plans, and related documents, you can more successfully navigate the settlement conference.
Document Preparation
Documentation preparation is an important element of any divorce. The documents, statements, and other information you need to bring rely on the aspects of the divorce you are negotiating:
Spousal Support and Division of Property
You need to document your income, assets, debts, and expenses. This includes:
- Income statements and paystubs
- Tax forms and tax returns
- Expense summaries and proof
- Bank and credit card statements
- Mortgage statements
- Investment information
- Retirement account statements
- Real estate appraisals
- Vehicle titles
- A list of the debts you owe
Child Custody
The information you bring should help you and your spouse make a plan for the custody of your children and how the daily logistics of custody will work. You need documents like your children’s medical information, school records, after-school and extracurricular schedules, and other information about your child’s schedule. It also helps to document your own schedule. This information can aid parents in creating a parenting plan that is beneficial to their own lives and their children’s needs.
Child Support
This requires financial information similar to spousal support and property division, but you also need specific information about your children and their needs, like in child custody determinations. Consider the basic childcare costs and the specific needs of your child, such as if they have significant medical conditions. Negotiating child support will also depend on both parents’ incomes and the time each one spends with their child in the custody arrangement.
Having accurate and verified records can make it much easier for you, your spouse, and your attorneys. That way, you can negotiate with all the necessary information for a beneficial outcome.
Plan Preparation
You should also consider creating and bringing a proposed plan. This can outline your ideal or preferred outcome in the divorce agreement. Creating the plan doesn’t mean it will be accepted, but it gives you and your spouse a good starting point to begin negotiating the specifics of the divorce. When both spouses create plans, you can compare them and see which areas you differ on.
If you aren’t sure how to create a plan, you should discuss it with your attorney. They can go over your immediate and long-term goals for related issues, like your children’s relationship with both parents, your financial needs, and your concerns about the divorce process. They can help you create a plan and find the potential areas of compromise.
FAQs
Do I Need to Bring Anything to My Divorce Settlement Conference?
Yes, you should bring several documents and plans to a divorce settlement conference. These can help the process go more smoothly and efficiently. They generally include important financial information for discussing spousal support and property division. If you have children, documents should include information about their schedules and care, which can enable you to determine custody, support, and a parenting plan.
When you hire an attorney, they can help you gather the right information and create a plan for negotiations.
How Do You Prepare for a Settlement Conference?
Preparing for a divorce settlement conference involves:
- Planning your goals and ideal outcome
- Determining where you’re willing to compromise
- Gathering important documents
The conference will likely discuss spousal support, the division of assets and debts, and decisions regarding minor children. Having a plan for each element is useful.
It’s also helpful to prepare yourself emotionally for the often-draining process of negotiations. An attorney can help you manage and prepare properly.
Why Is It Important to Hire a Divorce Settlement Conference Lawyer in Lafayette?
It’s important to hire a dedicated divorce settlement conference lawyer in Lafayette for several reasons. First, they can explain your rights while safeguarding your financial and personal interests during the conference. If your spouse is not making fair requests, an attorney can explain what the court would consider fair and fight for you during negotiations. They can also find creative solutions to complex issues, like custody arrangements or the division of complex assets.
What Are the Advantages of a Divorce Settlement Conference?
There are several advantages of a divorce settlement conference, including saving time, money, and stress. A divorce settlement conference also protects your privacy and gives you more control over the outcome of your divorce. Litigation is more costly, takes much longer to resolve, and can be very stressful for both spouses and their families. Discussions are also public record, and the final decision is made by the judge.
Your Louisiana Divorce Settlement Conference Attorney in Lafayette
The divorce rate in Louisiana is 0.9 per 1,000 residents, and nearly 7% of men and 13% of women in Lafayette are divorced. While few people expect to get a divorce, it can be the right choice for your family. It’s important that you continue making good decisions by navigating your divorce with as little stress as possible.
Handling it through a divorce settlement conference does this, and so does working with an attorney. Laura L. Davenport, LLC, has over 18 years of family law experience. We can protect your family and help you make crucial, informed choices. Contact our firm today.
