La. Ch. Code art. 1120
This is the official text of La. Ch. Code art. 1120, part of Louisiana’s Children's Code — governs child custody, child protection, and juvenile justice in Louisiana.
Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.
Pre-surrender counseling; affidavit
Official statutory text
A. Prior to the execution of any surrender, a surrendering parent shall participate in a minimum of two counseling sessions relative to the surrender with a licensed social worker, licensed psychologist, medical psychologist, licensed psychiatrist, licensed counselor, or a counselor employed by a licensed child-placing agency.
B. The counselor shall execute an affidavit attesting that the surrendering parent attended a minimum of two sessions, and stating whether the surrendering parent appeared to understand the nature and consequences of his intended act. The affidavit of the counselor shall be attached to the act of surrender.
C. If, in the opinion of the counselor, there is any question concerning the parent's mental capacity to surrender, the basis for these concerns shall be stated in the affidavit. If indicated, the affidavit shall contain a specific recommendation for any further evaluation that may be needed to ascertain the parent's capacity.
D. If he is a major, any surrendering father of a child may waive the counseling otherwise mandated by Paragraph A of this Article. In this case, the attorney or counselor shall execute an affidavit attesting to the father's waiver and that he appeared to understand the nature and consequences of his intended act. The affidavit of the counselor or attorney shall be attached to the act of surrender.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §11, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 1062, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2003, No. 567, §1; Acts 2009, No. 251, §13.
B. The counselor shall execute an affidavit attesting that the surrendering parent attended a minimum of two sessions, and stating whether the surrendering parent appeared to understand the nature and consequences of his intended act. The affidavit of the counselor shall be attached to the act of surrender.
C. If, in the opinion of the counselor, there is any question concerning the parent's mental capacity to surrender, the basis for these concerns shall be stated in the affidavit. If indicated, the affidavit shall contain a specific recommendation for any further evaluation that may be needed to ascertain the parent's capacity.
D. If he is a major, any surrendering father of a child may waive the counseling otherwise mandated by Paragraph A of this Article. In this case, the attorney or counselor shall execute an affidavit attesting to the father's waiver and that he appeared to understand the nature and consequences of his intended act. The affidavit of the counselor or attorney shall be attached to the act of surrender.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §11, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 1062, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2003, No. 567, §1; Acts 2009, No. 251, §13.
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
Dealing with a child custody matter in Louisiana?
See all Louisiana Child Custody lawyers
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the
Open US Law dataset
(Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine
(Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.