This is a question that is asked by almost every one of my clients. The short answer is no. It is possible to get a divorce in St. Tammany Parish without ever setting foot in a courtroom. If you and your spouse elect to have an uncontested divorce, if your spouse will accept service of the petition for divorce and if you and your spouse can come to an agreement on the issues of child support and custody, neither you or your spouse will EVER have to go to court to obtain the divorce. Hiring an attorney who specializes in amicable divorces and using the services of a mediator if you and your spouse become stuck in negotiation greatly increases your chances of staying out of the courtroom.
Before you make a decision to go to Court on an issue, consider that going to Court is ridiculously expensive, stressful and time consuming and is likely to lead to an Order that does not fit your special circumstances. I encourage clients who have difficulty resolving issues themselves to have a few sessions with a mediator before resorting to Court action.