Louisiana Child Support
Estimate for Louisiana
Louisiana uses the Income Shares model.
Official schedule: Louisiana Revised Statutes §9:315.19 — Schedule for support (main / pre-2025 table, applicable for 2024; the 2025-revised starred table took effect Jan. 1, 2025) (2024)
View calculation breakdown
| Combined parental income | $9,000 |
|---|---|
| Total basic obligation (schedule) | $1,773 |
| Obligor income share | 55.6% |
| Obligor basic obligation | $985 |
| Estimated monthly support | $985 |
How the basic obligation splits between parents
Estimated monthly support by number of children
§ How Louisiana calculates support
Louisiana uses the Income Shares model under La. R.S. 9:315. Each parent's gross income is reduced by preexisting child/spousal support to reach adjusted gross income; the combined figure is applied to the Schedule for Basic Child Support Obligation (R.S. 9:315.19), which covers about $1,050–$50,000 combined monthly adjusted income. Health insurance, childcare (net of tax credit), and ordinary medical costs are added; deviations require the court to state the guideline amount and reasons. The schedule includes a self-sufficiency reserve for low-income obligors.
Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.
✦ How to open or modify a case in Louisiana
- Apply through Louisiana DCFS Child Support Enforcement or file in court.
- Establish paternity if unmarried (voluntary acknowledgment or court-ordered genetic testing).
- Both parents file a verified income statement with documentation (pay stubs, tax returns); complete the guidelines worksheet using the R.S. 9:315 schedule.
- The court enters an order; the guideline amount is a rebuttable presumption and deviations require written findings.
- Payments via income withholding; DCFS enforces.
- To modify, file showing a change in circumstances; the worksheet is recalculated (the schedule is reviewed every four years).
◈ Illustrative examples
Scenario: Parent A adjusted gross $5,000/mo; Parent B $3,000/mo; combined $8,000/mo; two children; child health insurance $150/mo; childcare $300/mo (net of tax credit).
Walk-through: Parent A = 62.5% of combined. Look up the basic obligation for $8,000 combined and two children on the R.S. 9:315.19 schedule; add-ons = $450. Parent A's share ≈ 0.625 × (basic obligation + $450).
Takeaway: Louisiana allocates the basic obligation plus add-ons by each parent's percentage of combined adjusted gross income.
Scenario: A parent quits a job to reduce support.
Walk-through: If a parent is voluntarily unemployed/underemployed (R.S. 9:315.11), the court imputes income based on work history, skills, and local wages; if no evidence, it presumes 32 hrs/week at minimum wage.
Takeaway: Louisiana prevents parents from lowering support by choosing not to work; income can be imputed.
? Frequently asked questions
↗ Official policy & agency links
Sources verified: https://dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/calculate-child-support · https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107373 · La. R.S. 9:315; R.S. 9:315.19 (Schedule for Basic Child Support Obligation)