Support in Louisiana

How Louisiana Calculates Child Support

Louisiana uses an income shares model governed by La. R.S. 9:315 et seq. The model is based on the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have enjoyed if the family had remained intact.

The calculation begins with each parent’s gross monthly income, which includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, overtime, severance pay, pensions, Social Security benefits, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, disability benefits, rental income, dividends, interest, and other recurring income sources. Self-employment income is included after deductions for ordinary and necessary business expenses. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income based on prior work history, education, skills, and available job opportunities.

From each parent’s gross income, certain adjustments are made, including preexisting support obligations for other children. The parents’ adjusted gross incomes are combined, and the combined adjusted gross income schedule in the statute identifies the basic child support obligation based on the combined income and the number of children.

Each parent’s share of the basic obligation is proportional to their percentage of the combined adjusted gross income. Additional costs — including the child’s health insurance premium, extraordinary medical expenses, and work-related child care costs — are added and apportioned in the same manner.

For a broader overview of income shares models, see our guide on how child support is calculated. You can also run preliminary numbers using our child support calculator.

Shared Custody and Parenting Time Adjustments

Louisiana’s guidelines address shared custody situations under La. R.S. 9:315.9. When each parent has court-ordered custody for at least 73 days per year, the shared custody formula applies. This formula:

• Calculates each parent’s theoretical child support obligation based on their income share
• Applies a multiplier of 1.5 to the basic obligation to account for the increased cost of maintaining two households
• Adjusts each parent’s share based on the percentage of time each parent has the child
• Offsets the two obligations so that the parent with the higher adjusted obligation pays the difference

The shared custody formula can significantly reduce the net transfer payment compared to a sole custody calculation.

Modifying or Terminating Child Support

Either parent may petition for modification by showing a material change of circumstances since the last order. Louisiana law specifically allows modification when application of the guidelines to the parties’ current incomes would result in a 25% or greater change from the existing order.

Child support in Louisiana generally continues until the child turns 18, or until age 19 if the child is a full-time student in a secondary school program. Support also terminates upon the child’s marriage, emancipation, or entry into military service.

Louisiana law does allow courts to order a parent to pay support for a developmentally disabled adult child who is incapable of self-support, regardless of age.

Enforcement of Child Support Orders

Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) handles child support enforcement with broad authority:

• Income assignment orders (wage withholding)
• Interception of state and federal tax refunds
• Suspension of driver’s licenses, recreational licenses, and professional licenses
• Liens on real and personal property
• Financial institution account seizures
• Passport denial for arrearages exceeding $2,500
• Contempt of court, which can result in fines or incarceration

Arrearages accrue interest and cannot be retroactively forgiven. Modifications apply only from the date the rule to modify is filed.

Spousal Support in Louisiana

Louisiana distinguishes between two forms of spousal support: interim spousal support and final periodic spousal support.

Interim spousal support is awarded during the divorce proceedings and is based on the needs of the requesting spouse, the income and means of the other spouse, and the standard of living during the marriage. Interim support terminates 180 days after the divorce judgment becomes final, unless the court orders otherwise.

Final periodic spousal support is governed by La. C.C. art. 112 and is available after the divorce is granted. An important distinction in Louisiana law is that there is no permanent spousal support. Final periodic support is always limited in duration — the court sets a specific term that cannot exceed the lesser of one-third the length of the marriage or a period the court deems appropriate.

To receive final periodic support, the requesting spouse must demonstrate that they lack sufficient means for their support and must not be at fault for the dissolution of the marriage. Louisiana is a fault-relevant state for spousal support purposes — a spouse whose fault caused the divorce is generally not entitled to final periodic support.

Factors in Final Periodic Spousal Support

Under La. C.C. art. 112, the court considers:

• The income and means of the parties, including the liquidity of such means
• The financial obligations of the parties, including any interim allowance or final child support obligations
• The earning capacity of the parties
• The effect of custody of children upon a party’s earning capacity
• The time necessary for the claimant to acquire appropriate education, training, or employment
• The health and age of the parties
• The duration of the marriage
• The tax consequences to either or both parties
• The existence, effect, and duration of any act of domestic abuse committed by the other spouse upon the claimant

Modification and Termination of Spousal Support

Final periodic spousal support may be modified if the circumstances of either party materially change. Support terminates upon the death of either party, the remarriage of the recipient, or if the recipient enters into a relationship of cohabitation as defined by Louisiana law.

The durational cap — generally one-third the length of the marriage — is a hard limit that the court cannot exceed, though it may order a shorter period based on the circumstances.

When to Seek Legal Guidance

Louisiana’s prohibition on permanent spousal support and the role of fault in spousal support eligibility create important considerations for both parties in a divorce. If you are evaluating child support or spousal support in Louisiana, consider scheduling a free consultation with an experienced family law attorney.

Statutes referenced: La. R.S. 9:315 et seq. (child support), La. C.C. art. 112 (final periodic spousal support).