Louisiana Child Support Calculator
Louisiana's child support guidelines in R.S. 9:315 to 9:315.20 are an income-shares model built on both parents' gross income. The current schedule took effect on January 2025 and covers $1,050 to $50,000 of combined monthly income. This calculator follows the statutory worksheets: Worksheet A for sole or joint custody and Worksheet B when the parents share custody about equally.
Gross income before taxes, less preexisting child and spousal support paid
Gross income before taxes, less preexisting child and spousal support paid
Out of 365; the parent with fewer days pays under Worksheet A
Work-related cost after the federal child and dependent care credit
Work-related cost after the federal child and dependent care credit
The cost of covering the children in this case
The cost of covering the children in this case
Estimated monthly child support
Parent A (pays support)
Annual amount
Who pays
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Combined monthly adjusted gross income | $8,000.00 |
| Parent A income share 62.50% of combined income | 0.625 |
| Basic child support obligation (schedule) | $1,210.00 |
| Parent A's share of the total obligation (line 7) | $756.25 |
| Monthly child support Parent A pays | $756.25 |
This is a guideline estimate under La. R.S. 9:315 to 9:315.20 for informational purposes only — it is not legal advice and not a substitute for the official worksheet or a family-law attorney. Courts can deviate from guideline amounts based on statutory factors, and inputs like income determination or imputed income are ultimately decided by the court.
Louisiana child support at a glance
| Model | Income shares (monthly adjusted gross income) |
| Schedule range | $1,050 to $50,000 combined monthly income, $50 steps |
| Between rows | Extrapolated |
| Shared custody | Approximately equal time; basic × 1.5 |
| Children on the schedule | 1–6 |
| Schedule effective | January 2025 |
Adjusted gross income and the schedule
Louisiana starts from gross income from almost any source, less preexisting child support and spousal support actually paid; this calculator takes the adjusted figure as entered. Combined adjusted gross income is matched to the schedule for one to 6 children in $50 steps, with amounts between rows extrapolated. Below $1,050 the court sets support from the parents' actual earnings and ability to pay, and above $50,000 a month ($600,000 a year) the court uses its discretion but cannot go below the top row; the calculator shows the nearest row in both cases and flags it.
Worksheet A and joint custody
Worksheet A adds the basic obligation, net work-related child care (the cost after the federal child and dependent care credit) and the children's health insurance premium, and splits the total by income share. The nondomiciliary parent pays their share less the child care and premiums they pay directly. In joint custody that is not shared custody, a paying parent with more than 73 days a year may ask the court for a credit; the amount is up to the court, so it is not applied here.
Worksheet B: shared custody
Shared custody means each parent has the children an approximately equal amount of time, so the calculator applies Worksheet B only when you tick that box. The basic obligation is multiplied by 1.5, each parent's income share of it is multiplied by the percentage of time the children spend with the other parent, and each parent adds their share of the child care and premiums the other parent pays. The parent owing more pays the difference, but never more than they would owe under Worksheet A.
Frequently asked questions
Does Louisiana use gross or net income for child support?
Gross income from almost any source, including wages, self-employment profit, rental income and spousal support received, less preexisting child support and spousal support actually paid. Child support received and public assistance such as FITAP, SSI, food stamps and general assistance are excluded.
What is shared custody in Louisiana?
Each parent having physical custody of the children for an approximately equal amount of time, under a joint custody order or plan or as found by the court. Shared custody uses Worksheet B with the 1.5 multiplier. Joint custody with unequal time stays on Worksheet A.
Does Louisiana give credit for time with the paying parent?
In joint custody, if the paying parent has the children more than 73 days a year, the court may order a credit after weighing the time, the shift in costs between the parents and the children's best interests. The credit is discretionary, with no formula, so this calculator does not estimate it.
What if combined income is outside $1,050–$50,000 a month?
Below $1,050, the court sets support from actual earnings, the factors for imputing income and other evidence of ability to pay. Above $50,000 ($600,000 a year), the court sets support in the children's best interest but not below the highest amount in the schedule, and may put part of it in a trust for education or medical needs.
Are child care and health insurance included?
Yes. Net child care costs and the premium for the children's health insurance are added to the basic obligation and split by income share. Extraordinary medical expenses and other extraordinary expenses, such as special schooling, can be added too when agreed or ordered.
What does this calculator leave out?
Income adjustments and imputed income, the federal child care credit used to reach net child care (enter the net cost), extraordinary medical and other expenses, the child's own income, the discretionary joint custody credit, split custody, and deviations.