Louisiana Child Support Calculator

How is Child Support Calculated in Louisiana?

Louisiana determines child support by looking at what you and the other parent would normally spend on your children if you lived together. The court combines both of your incomes to find a total support amount from a state schedule, then splits responsibility for that amount based on each parent's share of the income.

Understanding Louisiana's Shared Custody Rules

When you have shared custody, the court uses a different formula once a parent has the children for at least 73 overnights a year. This calculation increases the basic support amount by 50%, then credits each of you for the time you physically have the children, which typically reduces the amount the higher-earning parent pays.

Louisiana Child Support: Frequently Asked Questions

At what age does child support end in LA?

In Louisiana, the obligation to pay child support typically ends when a child turns 18. However, support will continue until the child turns 19 if they are still a full-time student in good standing at a secondary school (high school).

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

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, a Louisiana court can 'impute' income. This means the judge will assign an income amount based on that parent's education, work history, and potential earning capacity, and then calculate child support using that imputed figure.

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.' A material change is automatically presumed to exist if a new calculation would change the existing child support order by 25% or more, up or down.

Does LA child support cover college expenses?

No, Louisiana law does not require a parent to pay for a child's college or other post-secondary education expenses. Parents can, however, voluntarily agree to share these costs and make that agreement part of a legally binding court order.

How does LA handle health insurance and childcare costs?

In Louisiana, the cost of the child's health insurance premium and necessary work-related childcare costs are treated as mandatory 'add-ons.' These amounts are added to the basic child support obligation and then divided between the parents in proportion to their respective shares of the combined income.