Louisiana Child Support Calculator

Estimate Louisiana child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under La. R.S. 9:315 et seq.. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

Louisiana follows the Income Shares model under La. R.S. 9:315 et seq.. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that income level and number of children, then prorates the obligation between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of the combined income.

Louisiana uses a shared-care formula for parenting time. When each parent has the child for at least 146 overnights per year, the case qualifies as shared custody and the court uses a separate shared-custody worksheet instead of the standard one. That shared worksheet can change the support number because it accounts for both households carrying real costs for the child. Below that overnight level, the standard Income Shares worksheet under La. R.S. 9:315 et seq. applies and parenting time alone does not automatically reduce the obligation.

The cost of the child's health insurance premium is treated as an add-on in Louisiana, not part of the basic obligation. Under La. R.S. 9:315 et seq., the premium for the child is added to the basic support figure and then split between the parents in proportion to each parent's share of combined gross income. The parent who actually pays the premium typically gets credit for it, so the math reflects who is carrying the coverage.

Work-related child care and daycare are also handled as add-ons under the Louisiana guidelines. Net reasonable child care costs needed so a parent can work or look for work are added on top of the basic support obligation, then divided between the parents pro rata by their percentage shares of combined gross income. Because these costs are added before the split, they raise the total number both parents are responsible for rather than falling on one parent alone.

The guideline amount produced under La. R.S. 9:315 et seq. is presumed correct, but a Louisiana judge may deviate when applying it would not be in the child's best interest or would be unjust. The parent asking for a deviation carries the burden of showing why, and the court must put specific reasons on the record for going above or below the guideline figure. Common grounds include extraordinary expenses, the child's special needs, or other facts the standard schedule does not capture.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in Louisiana?

Louisiana uses the Income Shares model under La. R.S. 9:315 et seq. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that combined income and the number of children, then prorates that obligation between the parents based on each parent's percentage share of the combined income. Add-ons like health insurance, work-related child care, and extraordinary medical costs are factored in pro rata. The calculator on this page gives an estimate only. The official Louisiana worksheet and a licensed attorney control the real number, so treat any online figure as a starting point, not legal advice.

Is there an official Louisiana child support worksheet?

Yes. Louisiana courts use an official guideline worksheet built from La. R.S. 9:315 et seq., and that worksheet, not any website estimate, is the controlling document a judge relies on. There is a standard worksheet for most cases and a separate shared-custody worksheet for cases where each parent has at least 146 overnights per year. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, Child Support Enforcement Section publishes guidance at dcfs.louisiana.gov/childsupport. Our on-page calculator follows the same Income Shares logic to give you a rough estimate, but you should confirm every figure against the official worksheet or with a licensed Louisiana attorney before relying on it.

How does shared or 50/50 custody change child support in Louisiana?

Louisiana does not treat shared custody as an automatic deduction. The shared-care formula kicks in only when each parent has the child for at least 146 overnights per year. At that point the court switches from the standard worksheet to a separate shared-custody worksheet under La. R.S. 9:315 et seq., which recognizes that both households are paying real costs for the child. A true 50/50 split usually qualifies and can lower the number, but the higher earner often still pays something because the math is driven by each parent's share of combined gross income, not just overnights. Use the official worksheet to see your actual figure.

What income counts when calculating child support in Louisiana?

Louisiana bases support on gross income from nearly any source. That includes salaries, wages, commissions, bonuses, dividends, severance, pensions, interest, trust income, Social Security, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and recurring gifts. So overtime and bonuses generally count if they are a regular part of your earnings. Self-employment income is treated differently and is figured net of ordinary and necessary business expenses, not on total receipts. Because Louisiana looks at gross rather than take-home pay under La. R.S. 9:315 et seq., the income figure on the worksheet is usually higher than your paycheck after taxes, which surprises many self-represented parents.

Can income be imputed to an unemployed or underemployed parent in Louisiana?

Yes. If a Louisiana parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court can base support on that parent's earning potential rather than actual current income. Under the guidelines in La. R.S. 9:315 et seq., a judge may impute income using work history, education, job skills, and local job opportunities so a parent cannot dodge support by quitting or taking a lower-paying job. There are exceptions, such as a parent caring for a young child of the current relationship, but the general rule is that a parent who can work is expected to. The estimate here cannot predict imputed income, so a worksheet or attorney is essential in these cases.

When does child support end in Louisiana?

Louisiana child support generally continues until the child turns 18, or until the child graduates from high school if that happens later, but it does not run past age 19. So a child who is still finishing high school at 18 may keep receiving support a bit longer, while support typically stops by 19 regardless. There is an important exception: continuing support is available for an adult child with a disability that began before the child reached the age of majority. Support does not automatically stop on its own date in every case, so check your specific order and the rules under La. R.S. 9:315 et seq.

How do I modify a Louisiana child support order?

You can file a rule to modify in the district court that issued your order, or request a review through Louisiana Child Support Enforcement, run by the Department of Children and Family Services. Louisiana law presumes a material change of circumstances when there is at least a 25% difference between your existing order and a new figure calculated under the current guidelines in La. R.S. 9:315 et seq. Job loss, a significant income change, or a change in custody can all support a modification. The agency enforces orders through income withholding, tax intercept, license suspension, credit reporting, and contempt referrals, so do not simply stop paying while you wait for a ruling.