Support in Louisiana (2026)

Louisiana’s Prohibition on Permanent Spousal Support

One of the most distinctive features of Louisiana family law is that permanent spousal support does not exist. Under La. C.C. art. 112, final periodic spousal 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. This hard durational cap is unusual nationally, where many states allow indefinite or permanent support in long marriages.

The prohibition reflects Louisiana’s policy that spousal support should be a transitional tool, not a permanent entitlement. It also means that the duration of the marriage has outsized importance in Louisiana support cases: a 12-year marriage, for example, caps final support at four years.

The Fault Bar for Spousal Support

Louisiana is a fault-relevant state for spousal support purposes. A spouse whose fault caused the divorce — for example, through adultery — is generally not entitled to final periodic spousal support. This is a significant departure from states where fault is irrelevant to support determinations. The fault bar means that the underlying cause of the divorce can have direct financial consequences that persist well beyond the divorce itself.

To receive final periodic support, the requesting spouse must demonstrate both that they lack sufficient means for their support and that they were not at fault for the dissolution of the marriage.

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. The 73-day threshold (approximately 20% of the year) is one of the lower shared custody triggers nationally, meaning Louisiana’s formula activates for a relatively wide range of shared parenting arrangements.

Interim vs. Final Spousal Support

Louisiana distinguishes between two forms of 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. The court considers the following factors:

• 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

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.

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, the fault bar, the durational cap tied to one-third the marriage length, and the income shares child support model with its 73-day shared custody threshold create a framework with significant strategic implications. If you are evaluating child support or spousal support in Louisiana, consider scheduling a free consultation with an experienced family law attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is child support calculated in Louisiana?

Louisiana uses the income shares model under La. R.S. 9:315 et seq. Both parents’ adjusted gross incomes are combined, and each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of the combined income. Health insurance premiums, extraordinary medical expenses, and work-related childcare costs are added and divided in the same proportion.

How does shared custody affect child support in Louisiana?

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 adjusts each parent’s share based on the percentage of time each parent has the child and can significantly reduce the net transfer payment compared to a sole custody calculation.

How long does child support last in Louisiana?

Child support in Louisiana generally continues until the child turns 18, or through age 19 if the child is still in high school. Support also terminates upon the child’s marriage, emancipation, or entry into military service.

What types of spousal support does Louisiana recognize?

Louisiana recognizes interim spousal support (during proceedings, based on need and the paying spouse’s ability), and final periodic spousal support (post-divorce, subject to a durational cap of one-third the length of the marriage). There is no permanent spousal support in Louisiana.

Can a spouse at fault for the divorce receive spousal support?

Generally, no. Louisiana bars a spouse whose fault caused the divorce from receiving final periodic spousal support. This fault bar means that conduct such as adultery can have lasting financial consequences beyond the divorce itself. The requesting spouse must prove both that they are in need and that they were not at fault.

What is the 25% modification rule?

Louisiana allows modification of child support when applying the current guidelines to the parties’ current incomes would result in a change of 25% or more from the existing order. This provides a clear threshold for determining when modification is warranted, rather than relying solely on the more subjective “material change of circumstances” standard.

How This Guide Was Researched

This guide is based on a detailed analysis of Louisiana’s child support statutes (La. R.S. 9:315 et seq.), including the combined adjusted gross income schedule, the shared custody formula under La. R.S. 9:315.9, and the 25% modification threshold. Spousal support provisions were drawn from La. C.C. Articles 112 (final periodic support, including the durational cap and fault bar) and 113 (interim support). We consulted the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) child support enforcement resources, the Louisiana Supreme Court’s published guidelines, and the Louisiana State Legislature’s online legal database. Louisiana State Bar Association family law practice resources provided additional context for practical application of the statutory framework.

Sources and Legal References

• La. R.S. 9:315 et seq. — Child support guidelines, income shares model, combined adjusted gross income schedule
• La. R.S. 9:315.9 — Shared custody formula, including the 73-day threshold and 1.5x multiplier
• La. C.C. Article 112 — Final periodic spousal support, durational cap (one-third of marriage), and fault bar
• La. C.C. Article 113 — Interim spousal support during divorce proceedings
• La. R.S. 9:311 — Child support enforcement mechanisms and DCFS authority

Official Louisiana Resources

• Louisiana Supreme Court — Family Law Proceedings Rules
• Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services — Child Support
• Louisiana State Legislature — Louisiana Laws

For more about how we research our guides, see our editorial policy and sources methodology.

Related Guides

• Louisiana child support guidelines — Detailed breakdown of Louisiana’s income shares calculations
• Child support in Louisiana — Practical guide to filing and enforcement
• Divorce in Louisiana — Louisiana’s community property system and divorce grounds
• Louisiana community property rules — How community property is classified and divided
• How alimony works — National overview comparing spousal support systems
• Child support enforcement — How enforcement works across states
• Modifying child support — When and how to seek a modification
• Child support calculator — Estimate your potential obligation