Louisiana Child Support Calculator & Guide (2025)

Overview of Louisiana Child Support

Louisiana uses the Income Shares Model under Louisiana Revised Statutes §9:315. This model estimates the amount of support that would have been available to the child if the parents had lived together, then divides the obligation proportionally between both parents.

The Louisiana guidelines are administered by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services - Child Support Enforcement. Louisiana considers net income (after certain deductions) and provides special provisions for shared custody arrangements and low-income parents.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Louisiana

The Louisiana child support formula works as follows:

1. Determine each parent's adjusted gross monthly income from all sources, minus certain allowable deductions
2. Combine both parents' adjusted gross incomes to get the total household income
3. Use the state schedule to find the basic support obligation based on combined income and number of children
4. Allocate each parent's share proportionally based on their percentage of the combined income
5. Add health insurance premiums and childcare costs to the base obligation
6. Apply adjustments for shared custody, extraordinary expenses, and the self-support reserve

Louisiana Support Schedule (Selected Income Levels)

Key Factors in Louisiana Calculations

Net Income Approach

Louisiana considers net income (after deductions) when calculating child support. Allowable deductions include:

• Federal and state income taxes
• Social Security and Medicare taxes
• Health insurance premiums for the child
• Mandatory union dues
• Previously ordered child support for other children

Shared Custody Plan Adjustments

When both parents share physical custody of the child, Louisiana provides adjustments to the support calculation. The court considers the amount of time each parent has the child and the expenses each parent directly incurs during their parenting time.

Extraordinary Expenses

Extraordinary expenses may be added to the basic support obligation. These can include:

• Special educational needs
• Extraordinary medical expenses
• Expenses for special needs children

Low-Income Provisions

Low-income obligors may receive a reduced support obligation. Louisiana's self-support reserve ensures that the paying parent retains enough income to meet their own basic needs before child support is calculated.

Minimum and Maximum Amounts

Self-support reserve: $1,012 per month (2024). The paying parent must retain at least this amount for their own basic living expenses.

Minimum support: Louisiana does not set a fixed statutory minimum, but the court ensures the amount is appropriate given the financial circumstances.

Income table: The Louisiana support schedule covers combined incomes up to $10,000 per month. For incomes above this level, the court has discretion.

Modification and Enforcement

Modification

Louisiana allows modification of child support orders when:

• There has been a material change in circumstances
• A significant change in either parent's income
• Changes in custody or shared custody arrangements
• Changes in the child's needs
• The child reaches the age of majority (18, or until graduation from high school)

Enforcement

The Louisiana Child Support Enforcement enforces child support through:

• Income withholding from paychecks
• Tax refund interception (federal and state)
• Driver's license suspension
• Professional license suspension
• Credit bureau reporting
• Contempt of court proceedings
• Liens on property and financial accounts
• Passport denial for arrears exceeding $2,500

Get your Louisiana estimate: Use our free child support calculator or the Louisiana child support calculator to see what you might owe or receive under Louisiana guidelines.