FAMILY LAW

Compassionate Counsel for Complex Family Matters

  • Divorce

    Our family law attorneys handle all types of divorce cases including: contested, uncontested, same-sex, covenant marriage, and military divorce. Often, divorces involve ancillary disputes, such as custody, child and spousal support, and division of community property. The SNW family law attorneys can assist you in all aspects of your divorce – contact us today to schedule a consultation. 

  • Child Custody

    Choosing the right attorney is especially important when children are involved. The SNW family law team can help you establish a custody plan, litigate custody, enforce a custody order, establish paternity, and more. In Louisiana, child custody has two components:  legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody is the decision-making authority that the parents have over their children, while physical custody is the actual physical  time the child spends with each parent.  Custody can be decided by consent of the parties or by the Court if the parents are unable to agree. The Court weighs a set of factors set out by the Louisiana legislature to determine the child’s best interest in establishing both physical and legal custody of the children.  The SNW family law attorneys are skilled in helping parents navigate custody settlements and litigation. We understand the importance of fostering parent-child relationships and will always advocate for your children’s best interests and your rights as a parent

  • Child Support

    Child support is a court-ordered payment made by one parent to the other to help cover the expenses of raising a child. The parent who has primary physical custody of the child is typically the one entitled to child support, while the noncustodial parent is the one who typically pays. Child support is intended to help cover the costs of a child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter, as well as other expenses, such as medical care and education. Child support is calculated based on the physical custody time each parent has with the child, the parents’ respective incomes, and the child’s expenses, such as healthcare and education. 


    Our SNW family law attorneys are here to help you understand your legal rights and obligations, and guide you through child support determinations. We can help you seek a fair child support order, modify an existing order, or, if review an existing order to ensure that it is reasonable and manageable. 


  • Division of Property

    Upon divorce, the parties partition their property, equally dividing the assets and liabilities owned by the spouses. In Louisiana, property owned by a married person is classified as either separate property or community property. In accordance with the law, there is a presumption that all property, whatsoever, acquired during a marriage is community property; however, exceptions apply. The term "property" under the law is broadly construed and includes everything a person could own including real estate, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, wages, and more. Spouses can vary the agreement by  establishing a separate property regime, executing a prenuptial agreement, or by executing a written agreement upon acquisition of the property.  

     

    Differentiating between community property and separate property is crucial when preparing for marriage, divorce, estate planning, and in successions.   

    If you have any questions or concerns regarding community or separate property, prenups, or divorce, please contact the SNW family law attorneys to set up a consultation. 


  • Domestic Abuse and Protective Orders

    The Louisiana Legislature has enacted numerous laws that create legal protections for victims of domestic abuse, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault. They created and developed a civil remedy for domestic violence which affords the victim immediate and easily accessible protection by filing for a Temporary Restraining Order and Protective Order against the abuser. Contact an SNW family law attorney if you or your children are victims of domestic abuse or violence, stalking, or sexual assault.


  • Prenuptial Agreements

    It is becoming more and more popular for couples to create prenuptial, or premarital, agreements before they get married, or even postnuptial agreements after they've tied the knot. Agreeing on the terms of a potential divorce settlement in advance allows you and your significant other to decide how you wish your assets and debts to be divided in the event of a divorce. These agreements are especially valuable if there is a large discrepancy between income and/or assets of the parties, if either party owns property or a business, or if the parties have children from other marriages. It is important that each party has their own family law attorney to represent them and their interests when entering into a marital agreement, which may include:

    • A division of assets in the event of divorce or separation.
    • How finances and assets will be handled during the marriage.
    • Spousal support terms in the event of divorce.
    • Any business or property ownership issues.
    • The handling of gifts, inheritances, or trusts.
    • Benefits, disability, and insurance coverage.

    If you are interested in a pre- or post-marital agreement, or wish to enforce or challenge one, contact the SNW family law attorneys to set up a consult. 

  • Interdictions

    When an individual in Louisiana is unable to handle their own affairs or make their own decisions, it may be necessary for the court to appoint someone to handle those things for them. While this is called guardianship or conservatorship in other states, Louisiana calls this relationship interdiction. Individuals needing interdiction may be elderly persons with cognitive decline, children who turn 18 and do not have capacity to make their own decisions, or those with an injury or cognitive impairment necessitating another individual be appointed to make medical and/or financial decisions on their behalf. The SNW family law attorneys help families that are facing these challenging circumstances to do what is in the best interest of the impaired individual. 


    In a Louisiana interdiction, the incapacitated person is known as the interdict, and the person appointed by the court to make decisions on the interdict’s behalf is known as the curator. Curators are often family members or other trusted representatives of the interdict, who are approved by the court to have legal control over responsibilities such as making medical decisions and managing financial affairs for the interdict. This must be approved by the court and requires the filing of a petition and a court hearing. Interdictions are a specialized, intricate area of the law that require skilled attorneys. If you think a your family member needs interdiction, or if you have any other family law concerns, contact an SNW family law attorney to set up a consultation. 

  • Mediation

    Mediation is often a faster and more streamlined approach used to determine many of the issues outlined above. Mediation involves a process of using an impartial referee to help divorcing parents come to an agreement on child custody issues (including legal custody and physical custody), child and spousal support, property partition, that work best for their family.  Mediation can be helpful when one or both parties are having difficulty agreeing on these issues because they cannot communicate effectively or have trouble seeing things from the other person’s point of view. SNW attorney Johnston Burkhardt is a Child Custody and Visitation Mediator, and he is listed on the LSBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Section's Mediator Registry. Contact him today to set up a consultation to see if your family would benefit from mediation. 

FAMILY LAW MEDIATION

MEET THE TEAM

Johnston Burkhardt
John "Jacob" Chapman
Haley Jupiter
Johnston Burkhardt
John "Jacob" Chapman

Blog

Quieting Title After a Tax Sale in Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish

By Johnston Burkhardt • June 8, 2026
Quieting Title After a Tax Sale for Rural Land in Lafayette and Acadiana Purchasing rural land at a Louisiana tax sale can be a smart investment, but many buyers are surprised to learn that they do not immediately receive full ownership. Instead, a purchaser receives tax sale title, which is subject to redemption rights and potential legal challenges. Whether you purchased timberland, hunting property, farmland, inherited acreage, vacant land, or rural property, quieting title is often necessary before the property can be sold, financed, insured, or developed.  In most Louisiana tax sales, the former owner has a three-year redemption period from the recording of the tax sale certificate to reclaim the property. After that period expires, the tax sale purchaser may file a lawsuit to quiet title or confirm ownership. In many cases, Louisiana law requires a six-month waiting period after filing suit before title can be confirmed. However, if five years have passed since the tax sale certificate was recorded, purchasers may often pursue a faster process requiring only ten days’ notice before obtaining confirmation of title. Quiet title actions are particularly common for rural land in Lafayette and Acadiana, where properties may involve succession issues, deceased owners, missing heirs, inherited family land, hunting camps, agricultural acreage, or timber tracts. Our firm assists investors, landowners, and developers throughout Lafayette Parish, Vermilion Parish, Iberia Parish, Acadia Parish, St. Martin Parish, St. Landry Parish, Evangeline Parish, and St. Mary Parish, including Lafayette, Youngsville, Broussard, Scott, Carencro, Breaux Bridge, New Iberia, Abbeville, Kaplan, Opelousas, Crowley, Eunice, Ville Platte, and surrounding Acadiana communities. If you purchased rural property at a tax sale and need help obtaining marketable, insurable title, Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC can help guide you through the Louisiana quiet title process. To learn more, receive a quote, or to schedule a free consultation regarding tax sales or real estate law, contact Johnston at (504) 324-2141 or johnston@snw.law .

Quieting Title After a Tax Sale for Rural Land in Lafayette and Acadiana

By Johnston Burkhardt • June 8, 2026
Quieting Title After a Tax Sale for Rural Land in Lafayette and Acadiana Purchasing rural land at a Louisiana tax sale can be a smart investment, but many buyers are surprised to learn that they do not immediately receive full ownership. Instead, a purchaser receives tax sale title, which is subject to redemption rights and potential legal challenges. Whether you purchased timberland, hunting property, farmland, inherited acreage, vacant land, or rural property, quieting title is often necessary before the property can be sold, financed, insured, or developed.  In most Louisiana tax sales, the former owner has a three-year redemption period from the recording of the tax sale certificate to reclaim the property. After that period expires, the tax sale purchaser may file a lawsuit to quiet title or confirm ownership. In many cases, Louisiana law requires a six-month waiting period after filing suit before title can be confirmed. However, if five years have passed since the tax sale certificate was recorded, purchasers may often pursue a faster process requiring only ten days’ notice before obtaining confirmation of title. Quiet title actions are particularly common for rural land in Lafayette and Acadiana, where properties may involve succession issues, deceased owners, missing heirs, inherited family land, hunting camps, agricultural acreage, or timber tracts. Our firm assists investors, landowners, and developers throughout Lafayette Parish, Vermilion Parish, Iberia Parish, Acadia Parish, St. Martin Parish, St. Landry Parish, Evangeline Parish, and St. Mary Parish, including Lafayette, Youngsville, Broussard, Scott, Carencro, Breaux Bridge, New Iberia, Abbeville, Kaplan, Opelousas, Crowley, Eunice, Ville Platte, and surrounding Acadiana communities. If you purchased rural property at a tax sale and need help obtaining marketable, insurable title, Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC can help guide you through the Louisiana quiet title process. To learn more, receive a quote, or to schedule a free consultation regarding tax sales or real estate law, contact Johnston at (504) 324-2141 or johnston@snw.law .

Louisiana Foreclosures and Executory Process: What Private Lenders Need to Know

By Johnston Burkhardt • June 8, 2026
Louisiana Foreclosures and Executory Process: What Private Lenders Need to Know When a borrower defaults on a mortgage or promissory note, Louisiana law provides lenders with an efficient foreclosure procedure known as executory process. Unlike ordinary litigation, executory process allows a lender to foreclose on mortgaged property without first obtaining a judgment after a lengthy lawsuit, making it a faster and more effective remedy available to secured creditors.  In simple terms, executory process is Louisiana’s streamlined foreclosure procedure that permits a lender to seize and sell mortgaged property when the loan documents contain a confession of judgment and the borrower has defaulted. After filing a petition with supporting mortgage and loan documents, the court may issue an order directing the sheriff to seize the property and proceed toward judicial sale, often by sheriff’s auction. Depending on the circumstances, lenders may pursue foreclosure with or without appraisal, and the process can apply to residential property, commercial real estate, vacant land, investment property, and development projects. At Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC, we regularly represent private lenders, investors, hard money lenders, businesses, and individuals in foreclosure matters throughout Louisiana. Our attorneys handle executory process and foreclosure proceedings across the state, including in New Orleans, Metairie, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Slidell, Covington, Hammond, and surrounding communities across South LA. Whether you are a private lender dealing with loan default, missed payments, collateral issues, or distressed real estate, understanding your foreclosure rights early can help protect your investment and maximize recovery. To learn more, receive a quote, or to schedule a free consultation regarding foreclosures or real estate law, contact Johnston at (504) 324-2141 or johnston@snw.law .

The Benefits of Creating a Trust for Your Children

By Johnston Burkhardt • May 13, 2026
The Benefits of Creating a Trust for Your Children Many parents want to leave assets to their children but are understandably concerned about giving a young beneficiary unrestricted access to a large inheritance. A trust can provide an effective way to protect and manage assets for a child while still ensuring that funds are available for important needs such as education, healthcare, housing, and support. A trust allows the person creating it to appoint a trustee to manage the assets on behalf of the child according to specific instructions. Parents can determine when and how distributions are made, rather than requiring a child to receive everything outright at a certain age. For example, a trust may allow funds to be used for college expenses while delaying larger distributions until the child reaches a more mature age. Trusts can also provide long-term protection for family assets. Properly structured trusts may help shield an inheritance from creditors, lawsuits, or issues arising from divorce. In some cases, trusts can continue for many years and benefit future generations as well. For families who want greater control, flexibility, and protection, trusts are often one of the most valuable estate planning tools available. Johnston Burkhardt is an attorney at Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC, with experience in trusts and estate planning. He regularly assists families in structuring trusts to protect long-term financial security and protection. To learn more about trusts and estate planning or to schedule a consultation, contact Johnston at (504) 324-2141 or johnston@snw.law .

Why Every Parent of Minor Children Needs an Estate Plan

By Johnston Burkhardt • May 13, 2026
Why Every Parent of Minor Children Needs an Estate Plan Many parents assume estate planning is something that can wait until later in life, but having minor children changes that calculation entirely. One of the most important reasons parents should have an estate plan is to ensure that trusted individuals are chosen to care for their children if something unexpected happens and to protect their children’s inheritance. Without a will or proper planning documents in place, decisions regarding guardianship and the management of a child’s inheritance may be left to the courts or default Louisiana law.  A comprehensive estate plan for parents often includes a will, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and in many cases, trusts for minor children. Parents may use trusts to hold and manage assets for their children until they reach an age where they are mature enough to handle significant financial responsibility. This can help avoid situations where a child receives a large inheritance outright at age eighteen. Estate planning can also help families avoid unnecessary conflict, delays, and expense. By clearly stating your wishes and creating a plan tailored to your family, you can provide stability and financial protection for your children during an already difficult time. For many young families, estate planning is not simply about wealth transfer—it is about protecting the people who matter most. Johnston Burkhardt is an attorney at Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC with experience in trusts and estate planning for families. He regularly assists families in structuring trusts to protect long-term financial security and protection. To learn more about trusts and estate planning or to schedule a consultation, contact Johnston at (504) 324-2141 or johnston@snw.law .

At What Age Should Children Receive Their Inheritance?

By Johnston Burkhardt • May 13, 2026
At What Age Should Children Receive Their Inheritance? One of the most common questions parents ask during the estate planning process is when their children should receive an inheritance. While children typically automatically inherit assets at age eighteen, that may not always be the best approach. In reality, most parents are uncomfortable with the idea of a teenager suddenly receiving unrestricted access to a substantial amount of money. Trust planning allows parents to structure inheritances in a way that reflects their children’s maturity, needs, and long-term goals. Some parents choose to delay distributions until a child reaches ages such as twenty-five, thirty, or even older. Others prefer staggered distributions, where portions of the inheritance are released over time. Our firm typically recommends a child receive their inheritance at thirty to thirty-five years of age. This approach encourages financial responsibility and stability, while still providing support for education, housing, or business opportunities. There is no single “correct” age for a child to receive an inheritance. Every family is different, and estate plans should be tailored to the specific circumstances of the children involved. Factors such as financial maturity, spending habits, creditor concerns, and family dynamics often play an important role in determining how and when assets should be distributed. Careful planning can help ensure that an inheritance becomes a source of long-term stability rather than financial risk. Choosing the right trustee is also an important consideration.  Johnston Burkhardt is an attorney at Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC with experience in trusts and estate planning for families. He regularly assists families in structuring trusts to protect long-term financial security and protection. To learn more about trusts and estate planning or to schedule a consultation, contact Johnston at (504) 324-2141 or johnston@snw.law .

What Is a Testamentary Trust in Louisiana?

By Johnston Burkhardt • May 13, 2026
Testamentary Trust vs. Revocable Living Trust: What’s the Difference? Both testamentary trusts and revocable living trusts are commonly used estate planning tools, but they operate differently. A testamentary trust is created through a will and does not come into existence until after the person’s death. A revocable living trust, by contrast, is created during a person’s lifetime and can hold assets immediately. One major difference is that a testamentary trust generally requires the succession process because it is established through a will. A revocable living trust may help certain assets avoid probate or succession administration if those assets are properly transferred into the trust during life. However, testamentary trusts are often simpler and more cost-effective for many families, particularly parents whose primary goal is to provide structured inheritances for minor children. Both types of trusts can be used to protect beneficiaries and control how assets are distributed. The best option depends on a family’s goals, the nature of the assets involved, and the level of ongoing management and probate avoidance desired.  Johnston Burkhardt is an attorney at Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC with experience in trusts and estate planning for families. He regularly assists families in structuring trusts to protect long-term financial security and protection. To learn more about trusts and estate planning or to schedule a consultation, contact Johnston at (504) 324-2141 or johnston@snw.law .

Testamentary Trust vs. Revocable Living Trust: What’s the Difference?

By Johnston Burkhardt • May 12, 2026
Testamentary Trust vs. Revocable Living Trust: What’s the Difference? Both testamentary trusts and revocable living trusts are commonly used estate planning tools, but they operate differently. A testamentary trust is created through a will and does not come into existence until after the person’s death. A revocable living trust, by contrast, is created during a person’s lifetime and can hold assets immediately. One major difference is that a testamentary trust generally requires the succession process because it is established through a will. A revocable living trust may help certain assets avoid probate or succession administration if those assets are properly transferred into the trust during life. However, testamentary trusts are often simpler and more cost-effective for many families, particularly parents whose primary goal is to provide structured inheritances for minor children. Both types of trusts can be used to protect beneficiaries and control how assets are distributed. The best option depends on a family’s goals, the nature of the assets involved, and the level of ongoing management and probate avoidance desired.  Johnston Burkhardt is an attorney at Sternberg, Naccari & White, LLC with experience in trusts and estate planning for families. He regularly assists families in structuring trusts to protect long-term financial security and protection. To learn more about trusts and estate planning or to schedule a consultation, contact Johnston at (504) 324-2141 or johnston@snw.law .
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