• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
HNK Family Law

HNK Family Law

  • About Us
  • Our Attorneys
    • Jeffrey M. Hoffman
    • Kim Ngan Nguyen
    • Gordon J. Kuehl
    • Ellen C. Thomas
    • Sarah J. Flettrich
    • Natalie N. Baudouin
    • Alexandra E. Faia
    • Michael J. DuBose
    • Mitchell J. Hoffman
  • Practice Areas
    • Child Custody
    • Child Support
    • Divorce
    • Domestic Abuse
    • Prenuptial Agreements
    • Property Partition
    • Spousal Support
    • UCCJEA
    • Wills, Trusts & Estates
    • Successions
  • Contact
  • (504) 507-1288

Child Custody


Our Practice Areas

  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Divorce
  • Domestic Abuse
  • Prenuptial Agreements
  • Property Partition
  • Spousal Support
  • UCCJEA
  • Wills, Trusts & Estates
  • Successions

The New Orleans child custody attorneys of HNK Family Law are driven to help families throughout Louisiana with their custody issues.

We know how sensitive these matters can be for all parties involved and will work hard to make sure the wellbeing of your children is considered in any decision you make.

In Louisiana, child custody is made up of two component parts:  physical custody (the time actually spend with each parent) and legal custody (the decision making authority the parent has over their children).  The Court weighs a set of factors as set out by the Louisiana legislature to determine the child’s best interest in establishing both physical and legal custody of the children.  The prevalence of domestic abuse in Louisiana has recently led to changes in the best interest factors which can prevent parents found by a Court to be abusive from having physical custody or have decision making authority over their children.

Factors in Determining Physical and Legal Custody

The court determines custody based on what it believes to be the best interests of the children. The court considers all relevant factors, including the following, as set out in Louisiana Civil Code art. 134, where applicable:

(1) The potential for the child to be abused, as defined by Children’s Code Article 603, which shall be the primary consideration.

(2) The love, affection, and other emotional ties between each party and the child.

(3) The capacity and disposition of each party to give the child love, affection, and spiritual guidance and to continue the education and rearing of the child.

(4) The capacity and disposition of each party to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care, and other material needs.

(5) The length of time the child has lived in a stable, adequate environment, and the desirability of maintaining continuity of that environment.

(6) The permanence, as a family unit, of the existing or proposed custodial home or homes.

(7) The moral fitness of each party, insofar as it affects the welfare of the child.

(8) The history of substance abuse, violence, or criminal activity of any party.

(9) The mental and physical health of each party. Evidence that an abused parent suffers from the effects of past abuse by the other parent shall not be grounds for denying that parent custody.

(10) The home, school, and community history of the child.

(11) The reasonable preference of the child, if the court deems the child to be of sufficient age to express a preference.

(12) The willingness and ability of each party to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing relationship between the child and the other party, except when objectively substantial evidence of specific abusive, reckless, or illegal conduct has caused one party to have reasonable concerns for the child’s safety or well-being while in the care of the other party.

(13) The distance between the respective residences of the parties.

(14) The responsibility for the care and rearing of the child previously exercised by each party.

In cases involving a history of committing family violence, as defined in R.S. 9:362, or domestic abuse, as defined in R.S. 46:2132, including sexual abuse, as defined in R.S. 14:403, whether or not a party has sought relief under any applicable law, the court shall determine an award of custody or visitation in accordance with R.S. 9:341 and 364. The court may only find a history of committing family violence if the court finds that one incident of family violence has resulted in serious bodily injury or the court finds more than one incident of family violence.

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Wishing all the amazing Moms out there a Happy Mot Wishing all the amazing Moms out there a Happy Mother’s Day! 🌷💕 #mothersday #hnkfamilylaw #louisianaattorneys #neworleansattorney #familylaw
Join us in congratulating our very own Sarah Flett Join us in congratulating our very own Sarah Flettrich for being named in the Louisiana Bar Association’s 2024 Top 40 Young Lawyers Division! 

To learn more about Sarah and the rest of our talented team here at HNK Family Law, click the 🔗 in our bio or feel free to give us a call at (504) 507-1288 ☎️ #hnkfamilylaw #neworleansattorney #familylaw #louisianaattorneys
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Easter! 🐣🌷 #hnkfamilylaw #easter #louisianaattorneys #familylaw #neworleansattorney
🎉HNK is turning FOUR🎉 Today, we’re celebr 🎉HNK is turning FOUR🎉

Today, we’re celebrating not just our growth, but also the incredible support from our clients, team, and community who have made this milestone possible!

Here’s to many more years of success together! Thank you for being part of our story.  #HNKFamilyLaw #neworleansattorney #familylaw #4thanniversary
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Mardi Gras holid Wishing everyone a safe and happy Mardi Gras holiday! 🟣🟢🟡 #hnkfamilylaw #neworleansattorney #louisianalaw #mardigras #louisianalaw
Today we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther Kin Today we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and peace 🌎  #MLKDay #HNKFamilyLaw #LouisianaLaw  #EqualityForAll  #DreamBig #NewOrleansAttorneys
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this morning’s tragedy and to the city of New Orleans. ⚜️🖤

#NewOrleansStrong #HNKFamilyLaw #NewOrleans
Wishing you and your family a very happy Thanksgiv Wishing you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving! 🍂  #thanksgiving #familylaw #hnkfamilylaw #neworleansattorney #louisianaattorney #ᴛʜᴀɴᴋsɢɪᴠɪɴɢ2024
Join us in congratulating our Top Lawyers featured Join us in congratulating our Top Lawyers featured in this month’s edition of @neworleansmag!

Jeffrey M. Hoffman
Kim Ngan Nguyen
Gordon J. Kuehl
Mitchell J. Hoffman

To learn more about our Top Lawyers and the rest of the talented team here at HNK Family Law, click the 🔗 in our bio or feel free to give us a call: (504) 507-1288 ☎️ #hnkfamilylaw #familylaw #neworleansattorney #louisianalaw #louisianaattorney #toplawyers #neworleansmagazine
Happy Veterans Day We would like to thank all the Happy Veterans Day

We would like to thank all the Veterans who have served our great nation. We are grateful for your service and sacrifice. 🇺🇸 #hnkfamilylaw #veteransday #louisianalaw #neworleansattorney #familylaw
Congratulations to Jeffrey Hoffman for being named Congratulations to Jeffrey Hoffman for being named one of New Orleans’ Elite Lawyers by @insideneworleans 👏⚖️ #hnkfamilylaw #louisianalaw #familylaw #neworleansattorney
Wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July! ❤ Wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July! ❤️🤍💙 #hnkfamilylaw #fourthofjuly #familylaw #independenceday #louisianaattorney #4thofjuly #neworleansattorney
Load More Follow on Instagram

We would love to discuss your family law case with you.
Give us a call to schedule a consultation.
(504) 507-1288

HNK Family Law




Copyright © 2025 HNK Family Law. All rights reserved. 643 Magazine Street, Suite 401, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

The information contained in this website is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter. DISCLAIMER

  • About Us
  • Our Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
  • Contact
  • (504) 507-1288