Louisiana Child Support Calculator
Calculate estimated child support using Louisiana's official guidelines
About Louisiana's Guidelines
Income Shares Model
Note: Shared custody credit for 73+ days per year
Key Information
- •Model: Income Shares
- •Last Updated: January 15, 2024
Common Deviation Factors
Monthly Income
Children & Custody
Additional Monthly Expenses
Estimates only — not legal advice. Consult a Louisiana family law attorney for official calculations.
Official Louisiana Court Forms
Download official court forms from the Louisiana judiciary website. These are free, legally valid forms for your family court case.
Child Support Forms
Official petitions & worksheets
Modification Forms
Request changes to orders
Financial Disclosure
Income & expense statements
These links go to official Louisiana court websites. Forms are free and provided by the state judiciary.
Louisiana Child Support Guidelines
Louisiana uses the Louisiana Child Support Guidelines (LSA-R.S. 9:315) to determine child support obligations. Under the Income Shares model, both parents' incomes are combined to estimate what the family would have spent on the child if the household were intact. The obligation is then divided proportionally based on each parent's contribution to combined gross income.
Louisiana has several distinctive features in its child support system. Louisiana uses a low 73-day (20%) threshold for shared custody — same as Florida. The state has a unique "Shared Custody Worksheet" (separate from the sole custody worksheet). Louisiana is a community property state, which can affect income determinations in child support cases.
Louisiana bases calculations on gross income — meaning income before taxes and deductions. This includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, and other sources. The self-support reserve in Louisiana is $1,200/month, ensuring the paying parent retains enough income to cover basic living expenses.
How Louisiana Calculates Child Support
Louisiana follows a 6-step process under the Louisiana Child Support Guidelines (LSA-R.S. 9:315):
- 1
Calculate each parent's gross monthly income from all sources
- 2
Subtract pre-existing child support orders and income taxes
- 3
Combine adjusted incomes and find the basic obligation from the schedule
- 4
Add health insurance premiums and extraordinary medical, childcare, and educational expenses
- 5
Divide total obligation based on each parent's percentage of combined income
- 6
If 73+ days of custody: use the Shared Custody Worksheet which multiplies basic obligation by 1.5 and offsets
Income Thresholds & Key Numbers in Louisiana
Self-Support Reserve
$1,200/mo
Shared Custody Threshold
73 nights/yr
20% of overnights
Income Basis
gross
Sample Obligation Schedule
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $248 | $362 | $434 |
| $3,000 | $450 | $658 | $796 |
| $5,000 | $658 | $964 | $1,172 |
| $8,000 | $910 | $1,340 | $1,630 |
| $12,000 | $1,182 | $1,748 | $2,128 |
* Simplified schedule. Actual amounts may vary based on additional factors.
Custody Time Adjustments in Louisiana
Louisiana recognizes "Shared Custody" when the non-custodial parent has the children for at least 73 overnights per year (approximately 20% of the time). When this threshold is met, the standard child support formula is adjusted to reflect the increased direct expenses borne by both parents.
Under Louisiana's Income Shares approach, the shared parenting adjustment typically calculates each parent's obligation based on their income share, then applies a credit or cross-calculation that accounts for the time each parent directly supports the child. The more overnights the non-custodial parent has, the greater the reduction in their payment — but the adjustment is not dollar-for-dollar because fixed costs like housing don't decrease when the child is away.
Below 73 overnights, Louisiana generally treats the arrangement as a sole custody situation with standard visitation, and no custody time adjustment is applied to the child support calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana Child Support
What is the shared custody threshold in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana handle community property in child support?
How to Reduce Child Support Costs in Louisiana
While child support is determined by Louisiana's guidelines, there are legitimate ways to ensure your obligation is calculated fairly.
Increase Parenting Time
In Louisiana, more overnights with your children can reduce your support obligation. Document actual time spent and request a formal custody modification if needed.
Ensure Accurate Income Reporting
Both parents' incomes must be reported accurately. Verify that bonuses, overtime, and variable income are averaged correctly over the appropriate period.
Claim All Allowable Deductions
Louisiana allows deductions for items like mandatory retirement contributions, union dues, and health insurance premiums. Make sure all qualifying deductions are included.
Request a Modification When Eligible
If your income has decreased by 15-25% or more, you may qualify for a modification. File promptly — changes are typically not retroactive before the filing date.
Account for Other Children
If you have other children you're legally obligated to support, this can be factored into the calculation as a deduction in most states.
Review Healthcare & Childcare Costs
Ensure shared expenses like health insurance and childcare are divided proportionally. If costs have changed, update the court.
Key Facts About Child Support in Louisiana
Calculation Model
Income Shares
Guidelines Source
State Statute
Review Frequency
Every 4 Years
Last Updated
January 15, 2024
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