Louisiana
Louisiana Child Support Laws (2026): Guidelines & Calculator
Louisiana calculates child support using the income shares model, which combines both parents' adjusted gross incomes and applies them to a schedule of basic obligations under La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.2. Each parent pays a share proportional to their contribution to the combined income.
Louisiana child support laws require both parents to contribute financially to raising their children. The state uses the income shares model, which bases the support obligation on the combined gross income of both parents. Louisiana's child support guidelines are found in La. Rev. Stat. Title 9, Part V, and the state updated its child support schedule effective January 1, 2025. Use the Louisiana child support calculator below to estimate a guideline amount, or open the full-page Louisiana child support calculator for a detailed breakdown.
This guide covers how Louisiana calculates child support, what counts as income, how to apply for and modify support orders, enforcement penalties, and when support ends.
How Louisiana Calculates Child Support
Louisiana adopted the income shares method to determine child support. This approach recognizes that both parents have a legal duty to provide for their children financially, and it estimates what the parents would have spent on the child if the family had stayed together.
The calculation follows these steps under La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.2:
- Determine each parent's monthly gross income
- Subtract any pre-existing child support or spousal support obligations to get each parent's adjusted gross income
- Combine both parents' adjusted gross incomes
- Look up the basic child support obligation in the schedule based on combined income and number of children
- Divide the obligation proportionally based on each parent's share of the combined income
- Add costs for health insurance, child care, and extraordinary expenses
The Child Support Schedule
The schedule of basic child support obligations is found in La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.19. This table was amended and reenacted by Act 86 (HB 773) during the 2024 Regular Session, with changes taking effect on January 1, 2025.
The schedule covers combined adjusted monthly gross incomes from $0 up to $45,500. For families with combined monthly income above $45,500, the court determines support on a case-by-case basis, considering the child's needs and each parent's ability to pay.
Here are examples from the 2025 Act 86 schedule for selected income levels:
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $310 | $375 | $379 |
| $3,000 | $582 | $894 | $1,089 |
| $5,000 | $933 | $1,426 | $1,730 |
| $10,000 | $1,362 | $2,053 | $2,458 |
| $20,000 | $2,125 | $3,149 | $3,702 |
| $30,000 | $2,637 | $3,960 | $4,722 |
These figures are from the current guideline schedule. Use the official Louisiana Child Support Estimator for accurate calculations based on your specific situation.
Worksheet A vs. Worksheet B
Louisiana provides two worksheets for calculating child support under La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.8 and La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.9:
- Worksheet A applies when one parent has primary physical custody and in standard joint custody arrangements. The noncustodial or non-domiciliary parent pays their proportional share of the total obligation to the custodial parent.
- Worksheet B applies to shared custody arrangements where each parent has the child for approximately equal time. The basic child support obligation is multiplied by 1.5, then divided between the parents in proportion to their respective adjusted gross incomes.
If the non-domiciliary parent has physical custody for more than 73 days per year under a joint custody order, the court may credit their obligation to reflect actual time spent with the child.
Before completing either worksheet, you will need:
- Both parents' income documentation
- Health insurance costs for the child
- Work-related child care expenses
- Unreimbursed medical expenses (over $250 per year per child)
- Educational expenses for special needs
- Extraordinary transportation costs between parents' homes
What Counts as Income in Louisiana
Under La. Rev. Stat. 9:315, Louisiana courts consider gross income from all sources when calculating child support, including:
- Wages, salaries, and commissions
- Bonuses and dividends
- Pensions and annuities
- Capital gains and interest income
- Self-employment income
- Unemployment and disability benefits
- Workers' compensation
- Social Security benefits
- Trust and investment income
- Rental income
- Military housing and subsistence allowances
- Company vehicles or employer-provided housing, when significant
Child support received for other children and public assistance benefits are excluded from gross income.
Imputed Income for Voluntarily Unemployed Parents
Under La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.11, if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may calculate support based on that parent's earning potential rather than actual income.
When deciding whether to impute income, the judge considers:
- The parent's age and health
- Employment history and job skills
- Education level
- Local job market conditions
- Availability of employers willing to hire the parent
If there is no evidence of actual income or earning potential, Louisiana law creates a rebuttable presumption that the parent can earn a weekly gross amount equal to 32 hours at the applicable minimum wage (state or federal, whichever is higher).
2025 Update: Effective January 1, 2025, Louisiana expanded the caregiver exemption. A parent will not be considered voluntarily unemployed or underemployed if they have caregiving responsibility for a child who needs close supervision and care because of a serious intellectual or physical disability. Previously, the exemption only applied to parents caring for a child under age five.
How to Apply for Child Support in Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) administers child support enforcement services. Parents who do not receive Medicaid, FITAP, or KCSP pay a non-refundable $25 application fee.
Apply for child support services online or call 1-888-524-3578.
DCFS provides the following services:
- Establishing paternity through genetic testing or voluntary acknowledgment
- Locating absent parents using state and federal databases
- Establishing child support orders by working with the court system
- Collecting and distributing payments through income withholding and other methods
- Enforcing existing orders when a parent falls behind on payments
- Reviewing and adjusting orders when circumstances change
How to Modify Child Support in Louisiana
Louisiana allows child support modification when there is a material change in circumstances that is substantial and continuing. The governing statute is La. Rev. Stat. 9:311.
When Modification Is Presumed Warranted
A rebuttable presumption that modification is warranted exists when a strict application of the child support guidelines would result in at least a 25% change from the existing child support order.
However, the court retains discretion in both directions. A judge may:
- Grant modification even without a 25% difference if a material change in circumstances is proven
- Deny modification even with a 25% difference if applying the guidelines would not be appropriate under the specific facts
Important exception: If the original amount resulted from a court-approved deviation from the guidelines, the 25% presumption does not apply unless the circumstances that justified the deviation have themselves changed.
Valid Grounds for Modification
- Substantial change in either parent's income (increase or decrease)
- Job loss or disability
- Changes in the child's needs (medical, educational)
- Changes in custody or parenting time arrangements
- Imprisonment of the obligor parent
- Bankruptcy
How to Request Modification
You can pursue modification through two paths:
Through DCFS: Contact the Child Support Modification Process or call 1-888-524-3578 to request a review of your order.
On your own or with an attorney: File a Rule to Modify Child Support with the clerk of court's office in the parish where your order was issued. You will need to provide:
- Proof of current income (pay stubs, tax returns)
- Child care costs
- Health insurance information
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Documentation of the changed circumstances
Warning: Filing a frivolous modification request can result in the court ordering you to pay the other party's attorney fees and court costs.
Enforcement: What Happens If You Do Not Pay
Louisiana enforces child support aggressively. The state has both administrative and criminal tools available to collect unpaid support.
Administrative Enforcement Actions
DCFS and the courts can take the following actions without a criminal prosecution:
- Wage and income withholding (garnishment)
- Interception of federal and state tax refunds
- Bank account levy and seizure
- Suspension of driver's license
- Suspension of recreational licenses (hunting, fishing)
- Suspension of professional licenses
- Denial or suspension of passport
- Vehicle registration suspension
- Contempt of court proceedings
- Liens on property
Criminal Penalties Under the Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act
Louisiana's "Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act" under La. Rev. Stat. 14:75 imposes criminal penalties for intentional failure to pay child support:
| Offense | Fine | Imprisonment |
|---|---|---|
| First offense | Up to $500 | Up to 6 months |
| Second or subsequent offense | Up to $2,500 | Up to 2 years (with or without hard labor) |
Criminal charges may apply when a parent has not paid support for more than six months or owes more than $2,500 in arrears.
If arrears exceed $15,000 and remain unpaid for at least one year, the penalties increase to a fine of up to $2,500 and imprisonment with or without hard labor.
The law does provide an opportunity for leniency. If the parent makes full restitution before sentencing (except for second or subsequent offenses), the court may suspend all or part of the sentence.
Most Wanted Delinquent Payors List
If you owe six months of back support or at least $10,000, your name, photograph, address, and occupation may be published on the state's Most Wanted Delinquent Payors page.
Federal Criminal Charges
Delinquent parents may also face federal charges if they willfully refuse to pay child support and either live in a different state than the child or have traveled to another state to avoid paying. Federal prosecution typically requires that the parent has not paid for more than one year or owes at least $5,000 in back support.
When Does Child Support End in Louisiana?
Child support in Louisiana does not always end automatically at age 18. Under La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.22, the general rules are:
- Age 18: Support terminates when the child reaches the age of majority (18) or becomes emancipated
- Age 19: Support continues until age 19 if the child is unmarried, dependent on either parent, and enrolled as a full-time student in good standing in a secondary school or its equivalent
Support for Disabled Children (2025 Update)
Louisiana has two separate rules extending support for children with disabilities. Under La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.22(D)(1)(a), a court may continue support for a minor child with a developmental disability until the child turns 22, as long as the child remains a full-time student in secondary school; a motion to continue support on this basis must be filed before the child reaches the age of majority (18). Separately, effective January 1, 2025, Act 448 (HB 770) created La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.22.1:
- Intellectual or physical disability: Support continues indefinitely for an unmarried child who is incapable of self-support and requires substantial care and personal supervision, provided the disability was manifested before the child reached age 18
An action to establish or continue support under La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.22.1 may be filed regardless of the child's age. Substance abuse or addiction does not qualify as a disability under this statute. The court may also consider the child's eligibility for public benefits and may establish trusts to serve the child's best interests.
Key change: Under the prior law, support for disabled children was addressed less specifically. The new statute creates a clearer legal framework and explicitly permits filing actions regardless of the child's current age.
Emancipation in Louisiana
Minors can become emancipated and potentially end child support obligations through three methods:
- Marriage with parental consent
- Court hearing where the minor demonstrates readiness for independence
- Authentic act (notarized document signed by the parent)
To qualify for judicial emancipation, the minor must be at least 16 years old, financially independent, and have a legal income source. Emancipation does not affect age-based laws such as the legal drinking age.
Termination of Parental Rights
Louisiana allows parents to voluntarily relinquish parental rights, but the standards are strict. If parental rights are terminated, the parent has no financial obligation to the child and no say in how the child is raised.
Voluntary termination typically occurs in the context of adoption. Involuntary termination may occur if the court finds:
- The parent has abandoned the child
- The parent is addicted to drugs
- The parent has committed a serious felony resulting in bodily injury or death
- There is evidence of abuse, neglect, incest, or other serious misconduct
More Louisiana Laws
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is child support in Louisiana for one child?
The amount depends on both parents' combined adjusted gross income. For example, if the combined monthly income is $5,000, the basic obligation for one child is approximately $677. Louisiana uses a schedule that increases the obligation as combined income rises. Use the official Louisiana Child Support Estimator at dcfs.louisiana.gov to calculate your specific obligation.
Does parenting time affect child support in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana uses different worksheets depending on the custody arrangement. Worksheet A applies when one parent has primary custody or under standard joint custody. Worksheet B applies to shared custody where both parents have approximately equal time; it multiplies the basic obligation by 1.5 before dividing it proportionally. If the non-domiciliary parent has custody for more than 73 days per year, the court may also credit the obligation to reflect actual time spent.
Can parents agree to waive child support in Louisiana?
No. Child support is considered a right that belongs to the child, not the parents. While parents can agree on an amount different from the guidelines, a judge must approve any agreement and ensure it serves the child's best interests. A parent cannot waive or bargain away the child's right to support.
What happens to child support if a parent goes to jail in Louisiana?
Imprisonment can serve as grounds for modifying a child support order under La. Rev. Stat. 9:311. However, the obligation does not automatically stop. The incarcerated parent must file a motion to modify the order. Unpaid support continues to accrue as arrears until the court modifies the order.
Is there a statute of limitations on child support arrears in Louisiana?
Child support judgments in Louisiana are enforceable for 10 years from the date they become final. However, the judgment can be renewed before it expires to continue enforcement. Back child support does not simply go away because time has passed. Contact an attorney or DCFS at 1-888-524-3578 for help with enforcement of past-due support.
Louisiana Child Support Calculator
Estimate your child support obligation under La. R.S. 9:315. This calculator provides a step-by-step breakdown with statute citations.
Louisiana Child Support Calculator
This state uses the Income Shares model, which considers both parents' income to determine a combined obligation, then splits it proportionally.
Based on La. R.S. 9:315 · Effective January 1, 2024
Enter income details to see your estimate
How Louisiana Calculates Child Support
- •Louisiana uses the Income Shares model under La. R.S. 9:315, combining both parents' adjusted gross incomes to determine the basic child support obligation.
- •The basic obligation is taken from the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations (La. R.S. 9:315.19) and prorated between parents based on each parent's share of combined income.
- •Louisiana has one of the lowest shared custody thresholds in the country — a shared custody adjustment applies when the noncustodial parent has 73 or more overnights per year (approximately 20% of the time) under La. R.S. 9:315.9.
- •Health insurance premiums, work-related childcare costs, and extraordinary medical expenses are added to the basic obligation and divided proportionally between parents.
- •Adjusted gross income includes all income from any source, minus pre-existing child support obligations and certain deductions specified in La. R.S. 9:315.2.
- •Courts may deviate from the guidelines if their application would not be in the best interest of the child or would be inequitable to the parties (La. R.S. 9:315.1).
- •Louisiana requires completion of an Income Assignment Order as part of every child support judgment.
What Is the Average Child Support Payment in Louisiana?
Estimated Average Monthly Payment
$992/month
Estimated Annual Total
$11,904/year
Louisiana does not publish an official “average” child support payment. This estimate was calculated using the Louisiana guideline formula above with median income data from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 — Louisiana Median Earnings. Your actual amount will differ — use the calculator above with your own numbers for a personalized estimate.
Assumptions used in this estimate
- •Obligor net monthly income of $3,400 (Louisiana median full-time earnings after taxes, U.S. Census ACS 2024)
- •Obligee net monthly income of $2,600 (Louisiana median female full-time earnings after taxes)
- •2 children (average for Louisiana child support cases)
- •$200/month for children's health insurance
- •No childcare costs; 52 overnights/year with obligor (below shared custody threshold)
Data year: 2024
Important Legal Disclaimer
This calculator provides an estimate only based on Louisiana's child support guidelines. Actual court-ordered amounts may differ based on factors not captured here, including special needs, shared custody arrangements, travel costs, and judicial discretion.
This is not legal advice. Consult a family law attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
Updates
Corrected the R.S. 14:75 criminal-nonsupport arrears threshold to $2,500 (was misstated as $2,000), fixed the enhanced-penalty test so both conditions (arrears over $15,000 AND unpaid at least one year) must be met rather than either alone, and corrected the misattribution of the developmental-disability age-22 support rule to R.S. 9:315.22(D)(1)(a) instead of R.S. 9:315.22.1 (which covers only intellectual/physical disability).
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on 10 statutory provisions held in our own legal record, each retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Louisiana Revised Statutes
§ 14:75Failure to pay child support obligationIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
A. This law may be cited as the "Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of Louisiana". B. It shall be unlawful for any obligor to intentionally fail to pay a support obligation for any child who resides in the state of Louisiana, if such obligation has remained unpaid for a period longer than six months or is greater than two thousand five hundred dollars. C.(1) For a first offense, the penalty for failure to pay a legal child support obligation shall be a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. (2) For a second or subsequent offense, the penalty for failure to pay a legal child support obligation shall be a fine of not more than twenty-five hundred dollars or imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more than two years, or both. (3) Upon a conviction under this statute, the court shall order restitution in an amount equal to the total unpaid support obligation as it exists at the time of sentencing.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-29 · Read the full section at legis.la.gov
Cited in 15 court opinionsMost recently applied by a court: 2020
Leading cases: State v. Stanley (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2015, 161 So. 3d 1034) · State v. Kiper (Supreme Court of Louisiana 1982, 408 So. 2d 1312) · State v. Spotville (Supreme Court of Louisiana 1977, 350 So. 2d 1194)
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 9:311Modification or suspension of support; material change in circumstances; periodic review by Department of Children and Family Services; medical supportIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
A.(1) An award for support shall not be modified unless the party seeking the modification shows a material change in circumstances of one of the parties between the time of the previous award and the time of the rule for modification of the award. The material change in circumstances must be substantial and continuing since the last award for support. (2) The Department of Children and Family Services shall prepare and distribute information, forms, and rules for the modification or suspension of support orders, in accordance with this Subsection, and for proceeding in forma pauperis. The information provided by the Department of Children and Family Services shall specifically include what may constitute a material change in circumstances. The clerks of court in all parishes shall make this information available to the public upon request. This information shall also be distributed by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or the sheriff of any parish, as appropriate, to every person incarcerated in every state and parish jail and prison facility.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-29 · Read the full section at legis.la.gov
Cited in 117 court opinionsMost recently applied by a court: 2025
Leading cases: Stogner v. Stogner (Supreme Court of Louisiana 1999, 739 So. 2d 762) · Kirby v. Kirby (Louisiana Court of Appeal 1991, 579 So. 2d 508) · Richardson v. Richardson (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2003, 859 So. 2d 81)
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 9:315Economic data and principles; definitionsIn forcecited in 6 of our articles
A. Basic principles. The premise of these guidelines as well as the provisions of the Civil Code is that child support is a continuous obligation of both parents, children are entitled to share in the current income of both parents, and children should not be the economic victims of divorce or out-of-wedlock birth. The economic data underlying these guidelines, which adopt the Income Shares Model, and the guideline calculations attempt to simulate the percentage of parental net income that is spent on children in intact families incorporating a consideration of the expenses of the parties, such as federal and state taxes and FICA taxes. While the legislature acknowledges that the expenditures of two-household divorced, separated, or non-formed families are different from intact family households, it is very important that the children of this state not be forced to live in poverty because of family disruption and that they be afforded the same opportunities available to children in intact families, consisting of parents with similar financial means to those of their own parents. B. Economic data.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-29 · Read the full section at legis.la.gov
Cross-referenced in the statute itself: § 9:315.19
Cited in 254 court opinionsMost recently applied by a court: 2026
Leading cases: Guillot v. Munn (Supreme Court of Louisiana 2000, 756 So. 2d 290) · Shaw v. Shaw (Louisiana Court of Appeal 1998, 714 So. 2d 906) · Gautreau v. Gautreau (Louisiana Court of Appeal 1997, 697 So. 2d 1339)
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Louisiana Spousal Support (Alimony) Laws: Interim and Final Support (2026), Louisiana Divorce Laws (2026): Grounds, Residency, and Process
§ 9:315.11Voluntarily unemployed or underemployed partyIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
A.(1) If a party is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, child support shall be calculated based on a determination of income earning potential, unless the party is physically or mentally incapacitated, or is caring for a child of the parties under the age of five years. In determining the party's income earning potential, the court may consider the most recently published Louisiana Occupational Employment Wage Survey. In determining whether to impute income to a party, the court's considerations shall include, to the extent known, all of the following: (a) Assets owned or held by the party. (b) Residence. (c) Employment and earnings history. (d) Job skills. (e) Educational attainment. (f) Literacy. (g) Age and health. (h) Criminal record and other employment barriers. (i) Record of seeking work. (j) The local job market. (k) The availability of employers willing to hire the noncustodial parent. (l) Prevailing earnings level in the local community. (m) Other relevant background factors in the case.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-29 · Read the full section at legis.la.gov
Cited in 60 court opinionsMost recently applied by a court: 2026
Leading cases: McDaniel v. McDaniel (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2004, 878 So. 2d 686) · Langley v. Langley (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2008, 982 So. 2d 881) · Lambert v. Lambert (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2007, 960 So. 2d 921)
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 9:315.19Schedule for supportIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
The schedule of support to be used for determining the basic child support obligation is as follows: LOUISIANA CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINE SCHEDULE OF BASIC CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS COMBINED ADJUSTED ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX MONTHLY CHILD CHILD- CHILD- CHILD- CHILD- CHILD- GROSS REN REN REN REN REN INCOME (TOTAL) (TOTAL) (TOTAL) (TOTAL) (TOTAL) 1050 43 43 44 44 45 45 1100 82 83 84 85 86 87 1150 124 125 126 128 129 130 1200 158 160 162 164 165 167 1250 193 195…
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-29 · Read the full section at legis.la.gov
Cited in 56 court opinionsMost recently applied by a court: 2025
Leading cases: Bagwell v. Bagwell (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2002, 812 So. 2d 854) · Loftin v. Loftin (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2010, 28 So. 3d 1274) · Tuft v. Tuft (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2017, 214 So. 3d 916)
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 9:315.2Calculation of basic child support obligationIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
A. Each party shall provide to the court a verified income statement showing gross income and adjusted gross income, together with documentation of current and past earnings. Spouses of the parties shall also provide any relevant information with regard to the source of payments of household expenses upon request of the court or the opposing party, provided such request is filed in a reasonable time prior to the hearing. Failure to timely file the request shall not be grounds for a continuance. Suitable documentation of current earnings shall include but not be limited to pay stubs or employer statements. The documentation shall include a copy of the party's most recent federal tax return. A copy of the statement and documentation shall be provided to the other party.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-29 · Read the full section at legis.la.gov
Cross-referenced in the statute itself: § 9:315.19
Cited in 72 court opinionsMost recently applied by a court: 2025
Leading cases: Guillot v. Munn (Supreme Court of Louisiana 2000, 756 So. 2d 290) · Walden v. Walden (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2002, 835 So. 2d 513) · State, Department of Social Services ex rel. P. B. v. Reed (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2010, 10 La.App. 5 Cir. 410)
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 9:315.22Termination of child support upon majority or emancipation; exceptionsIn forcecited in 4 of our articles
A. When there is a child support award in a specific amount per child, the award for each child shall terminate automatically without any action by the obligor upon each child's attaining the age of majority, or upon emancipation relieving the child of the disabilities attached to minority. B. When there is a child support award in globo for two or more children, the award shall terminate automatically and without any action by the obligor when the youngest child for whose benefit the award was made attains the age of majority or is emancipated relieving the child of the disabilities attached to minority. C. An award of child support continues automatically with respect to any unmarried child who attains the age of majority, or to a child who is emancipated relieving the child of the disabilities attached to minority, as long as the child is a full-time student in good standing in a secondary school or its equivalent, has not attained the age of nineteen, and is dependent upon either parent. Either the primary domiciliary parent or the major or emancipated child is the proper party to enforce an award of child support pursuant to this Subsection.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-29 · Read the full section at legis.la.gov
Cited in 18 court opinionsMost recently applied by a court: 2021
Leading cases: Curtis v. Curtis (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2000, 773 So. 2d 185) · Arrington v. Arrington (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2006, 930 So. 2d 1068) · Smith v. Smith (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2009, 16 So. 3d 643)
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Louisiana Emancipation Laws: How to Get Emancipated in Louisiana (2026)
§ 9:315.22.1Support for disabled childrenIn force
A. In accordance with the child support guidelines contained in this Part, an award of child support continues or shall be set with respect to any unmarried child who, whether institutionalized or not, is incapable of self-support and requires substantial care and personal supervision because of an intellectual or physical disability that is manifested before the child attains the age of majority. A disability under this Section shall not include substance abuse or addiction. B. An action under this Section to establish an initial award of child support may be filed regardless of the age of the child. C.(1) An action to establish, modify, continue, or enforce an award of child support pursuant to this Section may be filed by the domiciliary parent or any other proper party as determined by the court or law. (2) Nothing in this Section or any other provision of law shall be construed to require the Department of Children and Family Services to obtain an order of continuing tutorship or judgment of interdiction. D.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-29 · Read the full section at legis.la.gov
§ 9:315.8Calculation of total child support obligation; worksheetIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
A. The total child support obligation shall be determined by adding together the basic child support obligation amount, the net child care costs, the cost of health insurance premiums, extraordinary medical expenses, and other extraordinary expenses. B. A deduction, if any, for income of the child shall then be subtracted from the amount calculated in Subsection A. The remaining amount is the total child support obligation. C. Each party's share of the total child support obligation shall then be determined by multiplying his or her percentage share of combined adjusted gross income times the total child support obligation. D. The party without legal custody or nondomiciliary party shall owe his or her total child support obligation as a money judgment of child support to the custodial or domiciliary party, minus any court-ordered direct payments made on behalf of the child for work-related net child care costs, health insurance premiums, extraordinary medical expenses, or extraordinary expenses provided as adjustments to the schedule. E. "Joint Custody" means a joint custody order that is not shared custody as defined in R.S. 9:315.9.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-29 · Read the full section at legis.la.gov
Cited in 54 court opinionsMost recently applied by a court: 2025
Leading cases: Guillot v. Munn (Supreme Court of Louisiana 2000, 756 So. 2d 290) · DeSoto v. DeSoto (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2005, 893 So. 2d 175) · Curtis v. Curtis (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2000, 773 So. 2d 185)
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
§ 9:315.9Effect of shared custodial arrangementIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
A.(1) "Shared custody" means that each parent has physical custody of the child for an approximately equal amount of time. (2) If there is a joint custody order or joint plan for implementation providing for shared custody, or if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that shared custody exists, the basic child support obligation shall first be multiplied by one and one-half and then divided between the parents in proportion to their respective adjusted gross incomes. (3) Each parent's theoretical child support obligation shall then be cross multiplied by the actual percentage of time the child spends with the other party to determine the basic child support obligation based on the amount of time spent with the other party. (4) Each parent's proportionate share of work-related net child care costs and extraordinary adjustments to the schedule shall be added to the amount calculated under Paragraph (3) of this Subsection.
Official text (excerpt) · as of 2026-07-29 · Read the full section at legis.la.gov
Cross-referenced in the statute itself: § 9:315
Cited in 64 court opinionsMost recently applied by a court: 2025
Leading cases: DeSoto v. DeSoto (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2005, 893 So. 2d 175) · Greene v. Greene (Louisiana Court of Appeal 1994, 634 So. 2d 1286) · Lea v. Sanders (Louisiana Court of Appeal 2004, 890 So. 2d 764)
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
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Sources and References
- Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 9, Part V - Child Support Guidelines(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.19 - Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations(legis.la.gov).gov
- Act 86 (HB 773) - 2024 Regular Session (Child Support Schedule Update)(legis.la.gov).gov
- Louisiana DCFS Child Support Enforcement(dcfs.louisiana.gov).gov
- DCFS Child Support Enforcement Services(dcfs.louisiana.gov).gov
- DCFS Child Support Modification Process(dcfs.louisiana.gov).gov
- Louisiana Child Support Estimator (Official Calculator)(dcfs.louisiana.gov).gov
- La. Rev. Stat. 9:311 - Modification of Support(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. Rev. Stat. 14:75 - Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.22 - Termination of Child Support(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. Rev. Stat. 9:315 (Definitions)(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.2 (Calculation of Basic Child Support Obligation)(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.8 (Total Child Support Obligation; Worksheet A)(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.9 (Shared Custody; Worksheet B)(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.11 (Voluntarily Unemployed Party)(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.22 (Termination of Child Support)(legis.la.gov).gov
- La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.22.1 (Support for Disabled Children)(legis.la.gov).gov
- Act 448, HB 770 (2024 Regular Session) - Disabled Child Support(legis.la.gov).gov
- Louisiana DCFS Child Support Services(dcfs.louisiana.gov).gov