Louisiana child support payments range from $43 to $8,783 per month, calculated using the Income Shares Model under La. R.S. 9:315. For a family with combined monthly gross income of $5,000 and one child, the basic support obligation is approximately $908 per month. Louisiana courts determine each parent's share by calculating their percentage of combined adjusted gross income, then allocating the total obligation proportionally. The state's child support schedule covers combined incomes up to $40,000 per month, with courts handling higher-income cases individually.
Key Facts: Louisiana Child Support at a Glance
| Factor | Louisiana Requirement |
|---|---|
| Calculation Model | Income Shares Model (La. R.S. 9:315) |
| Income Cap | $40,000/month combined gross income |
| Minimum Payment | $100/month for one child |
| Termination Age | 18 (or 19 if still in high school) |
| Shared Custody Threshold | 73+ days triggers credit consideration |
| Modification Threshold | 25% difference or material change |
| Health Insurance | Added to basic obligation |
| Ordinary Medical Expenses | First $250/child/year included in basic support |
How Louisiana Calculates Child Support Under the Income Shares Model
Louisiana calculates child support using the Income Shares Model, which requires courts to determine both parents' combined adjusted gross income and reference the Child Support Schedule under La. R.S. 9:315.19 to find the basic support obligation. For combined monthly income of $4,852 (Louisiana's median), the basic obligation is $908 for one child and $1,388 for two children. Each parent then pays their proportional share based on their percentage of the combined income.
The calculation follows five steps:
- Determine each parent's gross monthly income from all sources
- Calculate the combined adjusted gross income after allowable deductions
- Reference the Child Support Schedule to find the basic obligation amount
- Add mandatory expenses (health insurance, childcare, extraordinary medical costs)
- Allocate the total obligation based on each parent's income percentage
For example, if Parent A earns $4,000/month (57%) and Parent B earns $3,000/month (43%), and they have one child with a basic obligation of $1,230, Parent A would pay $701 (57% of $1,230) and Parent B would pay $529 (43% of $1,230). The higher-earning parent typically makes payments to the custodial parent.
Louisiana Child Support Schedule: Payment Amounts by Income
The Louisiana Child Support Schedule under La. R.S. 9:315.19 provides specific payment amounts based on combined monthly gross income and number of children. The schedule covers combined incomes from $0 to $40,000 per month and adjusts amounts to reflect Louisiana's status as a lower-income state while incorporating a self-sufficiency reserve for low-income obligors.
| Combined Monthly Gross Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children | 4 Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,050 | $43 | $43 | $44 | $44 |
| $1,500 | $310 | $375 | $379 | $383 |
| $2,500 | $476 | $735 | $826 | $898 |
| $5,000 | $908 | $1,388 | $1,551 | $1,684 |
| $7,500 | $1,159 | $1,726 | $1,999 | $2,219 |
| $10,000 | $1,364 | $2,010 | $2,377 | $2,674 |
| $15,000 | $1,756 | $2,576 | $3,046 | $3,425 |
| $20,000 | $2,146 | $3,144 | $3,715 | $4,174 |
| $40,000 | $3,952 | $5,782 | $6,831 | $7,670 |
For combined monthly incomes exceeding $40,000, Louisiana courts determine child support on a case-by-case basis. The schedule presumes the custodial parent claims federal and state tax dependency deductions and any earned income credit.
What Income Counts Toward Louisiana Child Support Calculations
Louisiana defines gross income broadly under La. R.S. 9:315 to include virtually all sources of earnings and benefits. Gross income encompasses salaries, wages, commissions, bonuses, dividends, severance pay, pensions, interest, trust income, recurring monetary gifts, annuities, capital gains, Social Security benefits, workers' compensation, military housing allowances, unemployment benefits, disability insurance, and spousal support from prior obligations.
For self-employed parents, gross income equals gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses. However, Louisiana courts may disallow accelerated depreciation, investment tax credits, and unreasonable business expense deductions when calculating income. Self-employed parents must provide two years of tax returns and current profit-and-loss statements.
Gross income excludes:
- Child support received for other children
- Public assistance (TANF, SSI, food stamps, general assistance)
- Per diem allowances not subject to federal income tax
- Extraordinary overtime when inclusion would be inequitable
- Monetary gifts meant to supplement irregular child support payments
Courts may also impute income to parents who are voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. If a parent deliberately reduces income to avoid child support obligations, the court can calculate support based on their earning potential rather than actual earnings.
Shared Custody and the 73-Day Credit Rule
Louisiana provides a potential credit for non-domiciliary parents who have physical custody for more than 73 days per year under joint custody arrangements. Under La. R.S. 9:315.8(E), courts may reduce the child support obligation when the paying parent exercises substantial parenting time, though this credit is discretionary rather than automatic.
The 73-day threshold recognizes that parents with significant custody time incur direct expenses for housing, food, and activities. A "day" requires at least four hours of physical custody. Courts consider three factors when determining credit amounts:
- The amount of time the child spends with each parent, including the domiciliary parent's continuing fixed expenses
- The increased financial burden on the non-domiciliary parent and decreased burden on the custodial parent
- The best interests of the child and equity between the parties
For true shared custody arrangements where each parent has the child at least 73 days per year, Louisiana uses Worksheet B rather than the standard Worksheet A. Shared custody calculations multiply the basic child support obligation by 1.5 to account for the increased total cost of maintaining two households. Each parent's obligation is then cross-multiplied by their percentage of custody time.
Additional Expenses Added to Basic Child Support
Louisiana adds several mandatory expenses to the basic child support obligation under La. R.S. 9:315.8, creating the total child support obligation. These additional costs are allocated between parents based on their respective income percentages, ensuring both parents contribute proportionally to all child-related expenses.
Health insurance premiums paid specifically for the child's coverage are added to the basic obligation. The parent providing coverage must document the incremental cost of adding the child to their policy, not the total premium amount. Courts may order one parent to maintain existing coverage or enroll the child in available employer-sponsored insurance.
Childcare costs include daycare, after-school care, and summer programs necessary for a parent to work or attend school. Louisiana allows parents to subtract federal and state childcare tax credits from total childcare expenses before adding them to the support calculation. For example, $800 monthly daycare minus $150 in tax credits equals $650 added to the obligation.
Extraordinary medical expenses exceeding $250 per child per year are added to basic support. This $250 threshold per child per calendar year covers ordinary unreimbursed medical costs. Expenses above this threshold include orthodontia, physical therapy, chronic condition treatment, counseling for diagnosed mental health conditions, and other necessary care not covered by insurance.
Other extraordinary expenses may be added by agreement or court order, including private school tuition, transportation costs for custody exchanges, and extracurricular activities promoting the child's development such as camp, music lessons, travel, and school-sponsored activities.
How to Modify Child Support in Louisiana
Louisiana permits child support modification when there is a material change in circumstances that is substantial and continuing under La. R.S. 9:311. Either parent may file a Rule to Modify Child Support, and the modification becomes effective from the date of filing. Courts require proof that circumstances have changed significantly since the original order or last modification.
Three pathways qualify for modification review:
- The child support order was established or last modified more than three years ago
- There is at least a 25% difference between the current order and what guidelines would require today
- A material and substantial change in circumstances has occurred
Qualifying changes include significant income increases or decreases, changes in health insurance costs, the child moving to live primarily with a different parent, job loss, disability, or major changes in the child's needs. Courts have discretion to deny modification even with a 25% variation if applying guidelines would not serve the child's best interests.
Important warning: Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:311 authorizes courts to order the moving party to pay all court costs and reasonable attorney fees if the court determines a modification motion was frivolous. This provision discourages bad-faith modification requests.
Child Support Enforcement in Louisiana
Louisiana enforces child support orders through multiple mechanisms administered by the Department of Children and Family Services Child Support Enforcement program. Automatic wage withholding is required in all new child support orders under Louisiana law, with withheld funds sent to DCFS for distribution to the custodial parent. If withholding was not in the original order, parents can request income assignment once the obligor falls one month behind.
Enforcement tools available include:
- Wage garnishment directly from employer payroll
- Federal and state tax refund interception
- Driver's license suspension
- Professional, occupational, and recreational license suspension
- Property liens on real estate and vehicles
- Contempt of court proceedings with potential fines or jail time
- Credit bureau reporting of delinquent support
Criminal charges may apply when arrears exceed $2,500 or payments are more than six months overdue. Louisiana participates in federal enforcement programs including the Federal Parent Locator Service and interstate enforcement under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act.
To seek enforcement, contact the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Child Support Enforcement division. DCFS services are available without hiring an attorney, though legal representation may expedite complex cases. You can file a Rule for Contempt in family court if the obligor is willfully failing to pay despite having the ability to do so.
When Louisiana Child Support Ends
Louisiana child support terminates when the child reaches age 18 under La. R.S. 9:315.22, with specific exceptions that may extend or shorten this obligation. The termination rules differ based on whether the support order specifies amounts per child or provides a single "in globo" amount for multiple children.
Support continues automatically until age 19 if the child is still in high school, unmarried, and dependent on either parent. The child must be enrolled as a full-time student in good standing at a secondary school or equivalent program. Once the child graduates or turns 19, whichever comes first, the obligation ends.
For children with developmental disabilities (mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or closely related conditions), support may continue until age 22 if the child remains a full-time secondary school student.
Child support ends before age 18 if the child becomes emancipated through:
- Marriage
- Military service
- Court order declaring independence (available for minors age 16 or older with good cause)
Louisiana does not require parents to pay child support for college-age children. Unlike some states, there is no automatic obligation to fund post-secondary education. However, parents may voluntarily agree to provide college support, and courts will enforce such agreements.
For orders covering multiple children with per-child amounts, each child's support terminates individually upon majority or emancipation. For in globo orders, support continues until the youngest child reaches majority or is emancipated.
Filing for Child Support in Louisiana: Costs and Process
Louisiana divorce filing fees range from $200 to $410 depending on the parish, with Orleans Parish charging $350-$400, Jefferson Parish charging $300-$350, East Baton Rouge charging $325-$375, and St. Tammany Parish approximately $410. Service of process adds $25-$100 for sheriff delivery. Child support can be established either through divorce proceedings or through a separate action if parents were never married.
To establish child support, parents must:
- Meet Louisiana's six-month domicile requirement (physical presence plus intent to remain)
- File in the parish where either spouse is domiciled or the last matrimonial domicile
- Complete the appropriate child support worksheet (Worksheet A for sole/joint custody; Worksheet B for shared custody)
- Provide income documentation including pay stubs, tax returns, and employment verification
- Submit documentation for health insurance, childcare, and extraordinary expenses
Fee waivers (In Forma Pauperis) are available for households with income below 125% of federal poverty guidelines: $18,075 for individuals or $36,900 for a family of four in 2026. Courts have discretion to grant waivers based on individual circumstances.
Note on filing fees: As of March 2026, verify exact amounts with your local parish clerk of court before filing, as fees change periodically.
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana Child Support
How much is child support in Louisiana for one child?
Louisiana child support for one child ranges from $43 to over $3,900 per month depending on combined parental income. At the state median household income of approximately $5,000/month combined, basic support for one child is $908. The paying parent's actual obligation equals their percentage of combined income multiplied by the total obligation amount.
Can child support be modified if I lose my job in Louisiana?
Yes, job loss qualifies as a material change in circumstances under La. R.S. 9:311. You must file a Rule to Modify Child Support with the court. Modifications become effective from the filing date, not retroactively. Continue making payments until the court issues a new order, as arrears accumulate regardless of changed circumstances until formally modified.
Does Louisiana consider overtime income for child support?
Louisiana includes regular overtime in gross income calculations. However, courts may exclude extraordinary overtime or seasonal work income when inclusion would be inequitable under La. R.S. 9:315. The determination depends on whether overtime is consistent and expected versus sporadic and unusual.
What happens if the other parent hides income in Louisiana?
Louisiana courts can impute income to parents who are voluntarily unemployed or underemployed to avoid support obligations. Courts examine earning capacity, education, work history, and job market conditions. For self-employed parents, courts scrutinize business expense deductions and may disallow unreasonable writeoffs. Forensic accountants may be employed in complex cases.
How does 50/50 custody affect child support in Louisiana?
With equal custody time, Louisiana uses Worksheet B (shared custody) rather than the standard Worksheet A. The basic obligation is multiplied by 1.5 to account for two household costs. Each parent's payment is calculated based on their income percentage and custody time percentage. The higher earner typically still pays support, though amounts are reduced from sole custody calculations.
Can grandparents be ordered to pay child support in Louisiana?
No, Louisiana child support obligations apply only to biological or adoptive parents under La. R.S. 9:315. Grandparents have no legal obligation to support grandchildren unless they have legally adopted them. However, grandparents may voluntarily provide support or be appointed as custodians with separate legal arrangements.
Does child support cover private school tuition in Louisiana?
Private school tuition is not included in basic child support but may be added as an extraordinary expense under La. R.S. 9:315.8. Courts may order tuition contributions if parents agree or if circumstances justify the expense. Both parents share tuition costs proportionally based on their income percentages when ordered.
How long does it take to get child support in Louisiana?
Establishing a child support order typically takes 30-90 days for uncontested cases where both parents cooperate with paperwork and hearings. Contested cases involving income disputes, custody disagreements, or enforcement issues may take 6-12 months. The Louisiana DCFS Child Support Enforcement program can expedite administrative orders without full court proceedings in some cases.
What is the minimum child support payment in Louisiana?
The minimum basic child support obligation under Louisiana's schedule is $100 per month for one child at the lowest income brackets. However, courts may order amounts below $100 if the obligor is disabled or if split custody arrangements apply. The schedule starts at $43 for combined monthly income around $1,050.
Can child support be paid directly to the child in Louisiana?
No, Louisiana child support must be paid to the custodial parent or through the Louisiana DCFS Support Enforcement Services. Direct payments to minor children do not satisfy the legal obligation. For children age 18-19 still in high school, support continues to the custodial parent. Payments made outside the official system may not be credited against the obligation.
Content reviewed by Antonio G. Jimenez, Esq. (Florida Bar No. 21022). This guide provides general information about Louisiana child support law and should not be construed as legal advice. Child support calculations involve complex factors specific to each family's circumstances. Consult a Louisiana family law attorney for guidance on your particular situation.