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Last Modified on Feb 06, 2026
When a couple agrees to a divorce settlement conference, they may wonder what happens after a divorce settlement conference agreement is reached in Louisiana. Knowing what to expect can help alleviate stress, prevent confusion, and allow you to continue making progress toward the ultimate goal of resolving your case. While reaching an agreement is a major milestone, it is not the final step.
Divorce Settlement Conference Basics
A divorce settlement conference provides a couple with the opportunity to settle any remaining disputed issues during their divorce. During a divorce settlement conference, a couple brings their lawyers in order to find agreeable resolutions to their issues outside of a formal court setting. This process is a core part of what we do as a skilled Lafayette divorce lawyer.
A divorce settlement conference offers significant advantages by providing a confidential, faster, and more cost-effective alternative to a court trial, allowing couples to retain control over decisions regarding assets, custody, and support. It reduces emotional stress and legal expenses while promoting a cooperative atmosphere to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Ultimately, a divorce settlement conference usually reduces hostility and promotes compromise.
With our Louisiana marriage rate at 3.7 marriages per every 1,000 people as of 2023 and our state’s divorce rate at 0.9 per every 1,000 residents, you may need to discuss a divorce settlement conference. There are some important steps that need to happen before a divorce can be finalized. many individuals find that preparing for a divorce settlement conference is the most efficient way to resolve their disputes.
Drafting a Divorce Agreement
Typically, the next step after reaching an agreement is to document what was agreed in writing. Everything you and your spouse agree to regarding parenting children, finances, property, and other matters must be memorialized into a written agreement. This is especially true when working with a experienced Lafayette property division lawyer to ensure all assets are accounted for. The details are extremely important during this stage of the process.
Signing and Notarization
Both you and your attorney will have time to review the agreement and confirm you understand everything within the document. Make sure you ask questions if there are aspects of the agreement you do not understand. You may make minor revisions as long as both parties agree to the changes.
Submission for Court Approval
Typically, the agreement will be submitted to the court along with other required documents to become part of the overall divorce resolution. A judge will review the terms of your divorce to ensure fairness. This step is typically straightforward, especially if both parties are in agreement. However, it is important to have assistance from an experienced Louisiana divorce settlement conference lawyer to navigate the process.
Judgment and Implementation
After the judge’s signature, the parties must carry out the agreed terms. If your agreement contains parenting terms, it allows you to set new parenting schedules and communication methods. If your agreement includes financial divisions, you may begin the process of dividing up finances, addressing shared debts, and shifting budgets to fit within your means.
Hire a Divorce Settlement Conference Lawyer
Even after an agreement is reached, deciding to hire a divorce settlement conference lawyer can provide long-term stability. If you ever have questions about a divorce agreement, your divorce attorney can help interpret its terms, ensure compliance, and provide insight if your circumstances change, such as a relocation with a child. Contact a Louisiana divorce settlement conference lawyer with any important questions.
FAQs
What Comes After a Settlement Agreement?
After a settlement agreement, the terms are memorialized within a written agreement. They are proofread before you file the agreement with the court as part of your divorce. After it’s filed, the agreement becomes legally binding. At that point, the implementation process begins. Both parties abide by the parenting, financial, and property decisions they agreed upon. If you have further questions about the settlement agreement process, connect with a knowledgeable lawyer.
Is a Settlement Conference Beneficial During a Divorce?
A settlement conference is often beneficial during a divorce. It promotes courteous discussion and allows each side to have some say. If the parties only have a few remaining issues to resolve, it can help the parties avoid having to attend a formal divorce hearing and having to go to court to finalize a divorce. These arrangements are often a cost-effective way to manage divorce proceedings.
What Is the Final Stage of the Divorce Process?
Typically, the final stage of the divorce process is finalizing the formal divorce agreement, adding any agreed upon terms, and submitting the final agreement to the court. The finalization tells the court that everything has been settled, allowing each individual to go on with the rest of their lives under well-defined conditions. An attorney can help you in the solidification of this process.
What Is the Biggest Mistake During a Divorce?
The biggest mistake during a divorce is usually when one party acts impulsively, or if someone acts out of anger or raw emotion. Failing to plan for the future while demanding everything on your terms can also generate long-term problems. Also, it can create issues when you try to handle your own divorce. Instead, you can hire an experienced attorney familiar with the divorce process and the divorce settlement conference procedure.
Need to Hire a Divorce Conference Lawyer? Call Laura L. Davenport, LLC
If you’ve considered your options and you’re ready to hire a family law attorney familiar with the divorce settlement conference process, connect with Laura L. Davenport, LLC. At Laura L. Davenport, LLC, we are dedicated to helping individuals and families in Lafayette work through family and divorce matters. We provide extensive, clear information so you can make informed decisions about your own divorce case. We offer reliable legal advice and calm guidance.
At our firm, we provide realistic options during your divorce case that allow you to work toward stability. We are here to help you regain your footing and move forward toward a bright future.
While we may be able to explore a divorce settlement conference as an out-of-court option, rest assured that we have plenty of courtroom experience. We often handle cases at the Lafayette Parish Courthouse at 800 South Buchanan Street, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501. We are invested in making sure that you feel supported as you transition into the next stage of your life.
Laura L. Davenport, LLC can help you through your divorce and discuss more about the divorce settlement conference process. Contact us today for your initial consultation.
