Child Support

How Is Child Support Calculated in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, the amount of child support depends primarily on the number of children, both parent’s income, and the custody arrangement. For parents earning a combined monthly income of $40,000 or less, the court will consult a statutory table to determine the amount of basic child support owed by the non-domiciliary parent to the domiciliary parent (the parent designated as such because the child spends more time with that parent).

In cases of equal physical custody (the child spends equal time with both parents), a different calculation is made which takes into account that custody arrangement. In addition to the basic child support amount, each parent owes a share of certain expenses based on their percentage of the total monthly income.

Those Expenses Include:

• Health insurance premiums

• Net childcare costs

• Extraordinary medical expenses

• Tuition and certain expenses

• Costs of transporting the child between the parents

• Special expenses intended to enhance the health, athletic, social or cultural development of the child (such as camp, music or art lessons, travel and extracurricular activities)

Sometimes, a court will either increase or decrease the amount of child support if it is in the best interest of the child or if the amount appears to be unfair to a parent. That is why it is imperative to have legal representation from an experienced family law attorney.