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State Guide · Louisiana
Child Support in Louisiana: How It's Calculated, Modified & Enforced
A plain-English guide to Louisiana child support — the guideline model, how the number is computed, the modification and enforcement process, and where to find the official worksheet.
Direct answer
Gross income, reduced by preexisting child/spousal support, to reach adjusted gross income; the schedule simulates the percentage of parental income spent on children.
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.
Open the Louisiana child support calculator to see your own number under the current guideline: Louisiana calculator.
How a support order is established 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).
Worked examples
Illustrative example — adjusted gross-income split (two children) — 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). 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). Louisiana allocates the basic obligation plus add-ons by each parent\'s percentage of combined adjusted gross income.
Illustrative example — imputed income — A parent quits a job to reduce support. 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. Louisiana prevents parents from lowering support by choosing not to work; income can be imputed.
Modifying or enforcing an order
Orders in Louisiana can be modified when there is a substantial change in income, custody, or circumstances. Use the modification eligibility check and the cross-state comparison tool to see how a move would change the outcome. Enforcement runs through the state agency and can include income withholding and contempt proceedings.
Official sources
Louisiana DCFS — Calculate Child Support — https://dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/calculate-child-support
Louisiana Child Support Guidelines (R.S. 9:315) — https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=107373
Is Louisiana gross or net income?
Gross income, reduced by preexisting child/spousal support, to reach adjusted gross income; the schedule simulates the percentage of parental income spent on children.
What income range does the schedule cover?
The R.S. 9:315.19 schedule covers combined monthly adjusted gross income from about $1,050 up to $50,000; above that, the court decides case-by-case.
Can the court deviate?
Yes, but it must state the guideline amount and explain why a different amount is warranted.
What if a parent won\'t work?
Under R.S. 9:315.11 the court may impute income; exceptions include incapacity, caring for a child under 5, or incarceration.
When does support end?
Generally at age 18, or 19 if still in high school; support may extend for an incapacitated child.
Where is the official guideline?
Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:315 and the schedule at R.S. 9:315.19, with the worksheet available via DCFS.
Louisiana child support calculator
Estimate for Louisiana
Louisiana uses the Income Shares model.
Enter the paying parent’s gross (pre-tax) monthly income.
Louisiana Child Support Worksheet — Planning Estimate
Generated September 22, 2026 · Model: Income Shares · Income basis: gross · Statute: La. Rev. Stat. § 9:315
This is an informal planning estimate, not a court worksheet and not legal advice. Confirm the current guideline with the state child-support agency or a licensed family-law attorney.
Estimated monthly support$985.00per month
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)
Annual estimate$11,820.00
Effective rate19.7%
MethodIncome Shares: combined income → official Louisiana schedule → split by income share (+ add-ons, parenting-time credit)
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
56%
44%
Paying parent: $985 Other parent: $788
Each parent pays their proportional share of the combined basic obligation.
Estimated monthly support by number of children
At the incomes you entered, for 2 children.
This article is general education, not legal or tax advice. For your exact number, open your state calculator.
Not legal or financial advice. This estimate follows the state’s statutory guideline formula but cannot capture every factor a court considers (health insurance, childcare, prior orders, deviations, imputed income).
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