Louisiana Child Support Calculator

How Louisiana Calculates Child Support

Louisiana uses an 'Income Shares Model' to set child support, which means a court first combines you and the other parent's monthly gross incomes. This combined income is used to find a basic support amount on a state schedule, which is then divided between you based on your percentage of the combined income, as governed by La. R.S. 9:315 et seq.

Understanding Shared Custody & Overnights in LA

In Louisiana, a shared custody arrangement significantly impacts child support when each parent has physical custody of the child for at least 73 overnights per year. Under La. R.S. 9:315.8(E), the court applies a special formula that increases the basic support obligation by 50% and then prorates it based on each parent's share of time with the child. This adjustment recognizes the increased costs of maintaining two separate households.

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✓ Verified for 2026 Guidelines • Reviewed October 2026 by Harmoney

Louisiana Child Support Guidelines at a Glance

Guideline Model Income Shares Model
Governing Legal Authority La. R.S. 9:315 et seq.
Shared Custody Threshold 73 Overnights (20% Time)
Age Support Ends Age 18 (or 19 if in High School)
Modification Standard 25% Change in Support Amount

Louisiana Child Support FAQs


At what age does child support end in LA?

Child support in Louisiana ends when a child reaches age 18, but it can continue until age 19 if they are still unmarried and attending high school full-time. Per La. R.S. 9:315.22, the obligation may also terminate if the child becomes legally emancipated.

How is child support calculated if one parent is unemployed in LA?

If a parent is unemployed or underemployed in Louisiana, a court will typically impute potential income to them based on their work history, qualifications, and prevailing job opportunities. This 'imputed income', governed by La. R.S. 9:315.11, is then used to calculate their child support obligation as if they were earning at their full capacity.

How do I modify a child support order in LA?

To modify a child support order in Louisiana, you must prove a material change in circumstances, and a change of 25% or more in the calculated support amount is presumed to be a material change. This standard, outlined in La. R.S. 9:311, requires filing a motion with the court that issued the original order.

Does LA child support cover college expenses?

Louisiana law does not require parents to pay for college expenses, as the legal obligation for support terminates at age 18 or 19. However, parents can voluntarily agree to cover post-secondary education costs in a legally binding stipulation or consent judgment that the court can enforce.

How does LA handle health insurance and childcare costs?

In Louisiana, the cost of health insurance premiums and net work-related childcare costs are added to the basic child support obligation and are shared by the parents in proportion to their respective incomes. These 'add-on' expenses are specifically addressed in La. R.S. 9:315.4 and La. R.S. 9:315.5 of the state's child support guidelines.