When parents separate or divorce, one of the most common questions is: How is child support calculated in Louisiana?
At Zeringue & Associates Law Firm, many clients come to us unsure how Louisiana courts determine child support or what factors may affect the amount they pay or receive.
Louisiana courts follow a structured formula established in Louisiana Revised Statutes §9:315, known as the Louisiana Child Support Guidelines. These guidelines provide a standardized method for calculating financial support to ensure that children receive appropriate care after parents separate.
While every family situation is unique, the calculation process generally follows several steps.
This video from Zeringue & Associates Law Firm explains how Louisiana courts determine child support under the Louisiana Child Support Guidelines.
Louisiana Uses the “Income Shares” Model
Louisiana calculates child support using the income shares model. This approach assumes that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the parents were living together.
This means both parents’ incomes are considered when determining the total amount of support required for the child.
At Zeringue & Associates Law Firm, we often explain to clients that child support is not based solely on the income of the parent who will be making payments. Instead, the court looks at the combined financial resources of both parents.
Step 1: Determine Each Parent’s Income
The first step in calculating child support is determining each parent’s gross monthly income.
Income may include:
- Salary or hourly wages
- Bonuses and commissions
- Self-employment income
- Rental income
- Certain benefits or additional earnings
The court then combines both parents’ incomes to determine the combined monthly adjusted gross income.
Step 2: Determine the Basic Child Support Obligation
Louisiana law provides a child support schedule that corresponds to the parents’ combined income and the number of children involved.
Using this schedule, the court identifies the basic child support obligation, which represents the estimated cost of supporting a child at that income level.
Attorneys at Zeringue & Associates Law Firm regularly assist clients in reviewing these calculations to ensure that the correct income figures are used and that the guidelines are applied properly.
Step 3: Add Additional Child-Related Expenses
Under La. R.S. 9:315.8, certain expenses are added to the basic obligation to determine the total child support obligation.
These expenses may include:
- Work-related child care expenses
- Health insurance premiums for the child
- Extraordinary medical expenses
- Special educational or other extraordinary costs
These costs are included because they represent real financial obligations necessary for the child’s care.
Step 4: Divide the Obligation Between the Parents
After the total support amount is calculated, the obligation is divided between the parents according to their percentage share of the combined income.
For example:
- Parent A earns 65% of the combined income
- Parent B earns 35%
Parent A would typically be responsible for 65% of the total child support obligation, while Parent B would be responsible for 35%.
In most cases, the parent with less physical custody will make payments to the parent who has primary custody of the child.
Step 5: Adjustments for Custody Arrangements
Child support can also vary depending on the custody arrangement.
Shared Custody
When parents share physical custody relatively equally, Louisiana uses Worksheet B, which adjusts the support calculation because both households incur significant child-related expenses.
Sole or Primary Custody
When one parent is designated the domiciliary parent, the other parent typically pays support to help cover the child’s living expenses.
At Zeringue & Associates Law Firm, we frequently advise parents on how custody arrangements may impact child support obligations.
Can Louisiana Courts Deviate From the Guidelines?
Yes. Although the Louisiana Child Support Guidelines provide a formula, courts may deviate from the calculated amount if applying the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate.
Examples of situations that may justify deviation include:
- Extraordinary medical needs of the child
- Extremely high or low parental income
- Special educational expenses
- Other exceptional circumstances
When a court deviates from the guidelines, it must typically provide reasons for doing so.
When Can Child Support Be Modified?
Child support orders can be modified when there has been a material change in circumstances.
Common reasons for modification include:
- A significant change in either parent’s income
- A change in custody arrangements
- New medical or educational expenses for the child
The attorneys at Zeringue & Associates Law Firm often help clients request or respond to child support modifications when life circumstances change.
Speak With a Louisiana Family Law Attorney
Understanding how child support is calculated can be complicated, especially when multiple sources of income or custody arrangements are involved.
At Zeringue & Associates Law Firm, we assist parents throughout Louisiana with establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support orders. Our goal is to ensure that children receive the financial support they need while protecting our clients’ legal rights.
If you have questions about child support in Louisiana, contacting Zeringue & Associates Law Firm can help you understand your options and next steps.
