What Louisiana Child Support Costs for One Child

Louisiana child support amounts are set by state law, not by what a parent can afford or what they agree to pay

Louisiana uses a child support formula that calculates a percentage of both parents' income. The amount depends on how much each parent earns, how much time the child spends with each parent, and whether either parent pays for health insurance or childcare. There is no flat dollar amount — a parent earning $2,000 a month will owe less than a parent earning $5,000 a month.

The state publishes child support guidelines that show the percentage of combined parental income that goes to the child. For one child, the guideline percentage is 17% of combined parental income when the child lives primarily with one parent. This percentage increases if the child spends more time with the paying parent, and it can be adjusted if either parent's income is very high or very low.

A judge can order an amount different from the guideline if the judge finds that following the guideline would be unfair to either parent or the child. This happens rarely and requires the parent requesting the change to show specific reasons why the guideline amount does not fit their situation.

Key Takeaways

• Louisiana child support for one child is calculated as a percentage of both parents' combined income, not a fixed dollar amount.
• The guideline percentage for one child is 17% of combined income when the child lives primarily with one parent.
• The actual amount owed depends on each parent's gross income, custody arrangement, and who pays for health insurance and childcare.
• A judge can order a different amount if the guideline percentage would be unfair, but this requires proof and is not common.

How Louisiana calculates the base support amount

Louisiana starts by adding together both parents' gross monthly income. Gross income includes wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, and some types of benefits. It does not include child support the parent is already paying for other children, spousal support they are paying, or certain types of public information.

Once the combined income is known, the state applies the 17% guideline for one child. If the combined income is $4,000 a month, the guideline amount is $680 a month. If the combined income is $6,000 a month, the guideline amount is $1,020 a month. This is the total amount that the child support obligation covers — it is then divided between the parents based on their individual income shares.

The parent who does not have primary custody (usually called the obligor) pays their percentage of the total guideline amount to the parent who does have primary custody (usually called the obligee). If a parent earns 60% of the combined income, they pay 60% of the guideline amount.

Adjustments that change the final amount

The guideline amount is adjusted up or down based on several factors. If one parent pays for the child's health insurance, that cost is subtracted from the guideline amount before the split is calculated. If one parent pays for childcare so the other parent can work, that cost is also subtracted. These adjustments lower the final support amount.

The custody arrangement also matters. The 17% guideline applies when the child lives with one parent most of the time. If the parents share custody more equally — for example, the child spends roughly 40% of the time with each parent — the guideline percentage changes. Louisiana has a shared custody adjustment that reduces the support amount when parenting time is more balanced.

If either parent's income is very high (above the state's income cap, which changes yearly), the judge has discretion to set support based on the guideline or to use a different method. If a parent's income is very low or zero, the judge may set a minimum support amount or may find that support should be zero.

What income counts and what does not

Louisiana defines gross income broadly. It includes W-2 wages, 1099 self-employment income, business income, rental income, interest and dividend income, Social Security benefits (except Supplemental Security Income), unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, and military allowances. It also includes bonuses and commissions if they are regular and recurring.

Income that does not count includes Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary information for Needy Families (TANF), food stamps, housing information, and child support the parent is already paying for other children. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed — meaning they could earn more but choose not to — a judge may impute income, which means the judge assigns an income amount based on what the parent could earn.

Self-employed parents must provide tax returns and business records to show their actual income. A parent who claims very low income may be asked to explain why, and the judge may find that the stated income is not accurate.

When a judge can order a different amount

Louisiana law allows a judge to deviate from the guideline amount if following it would be unfair. The parent asking for a change must show specific reasons. Common reasons include one parent having unusually high income, one parent having significant debt, one parent having other children to support, or the guideline amount being so high or so low that it does not serve the child's best interests.

The judge must write down the reasons for any deviation and explain why the guideline amount was not used. This makes it possible to appeal the decision if one parent disagrees. A deviation is not automatic — the judge must find that the guideline would be unjust or inappropriate in that specific case.

If circumstances change significantly — for example, one parent loses a job or gets a major raise — either parent can ask the court to change the support amount. The change is not automatic; the parent requesting it must file a motion and show that the change in circumstances is substantial and material.

How support is paid and enforced

Child support is usually paid through wage withholding, which means the amount is deducted from the paying parent's paycheck by their employer and sent to the state. Louisiana routes the payment through the Office of Family Support, which then sends it to the receiving parent. This method ensures the payment is made on time and creates a record.

If the paying parent is self-employed or does not have a regular employer, they may be ordered to pay directly to the receiving parent or to the state. Payments are due on a specific date each month, usually the first of the month.

If a parent falls behind on support, the state can take action to enforce the order. This can include intercepting tax refunds, placing a lien on property, suspending a driver's license, or filing a contempt of court charge. The receiving parent can also ask the court to hold the paying parent in contempt if they willfully refuse to pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Louisiana have a minimum child support amount?

Louisiana does not have a set minimum amount written into the guideline formula. However, judges often order at least a small amount even when income is very low, unless the paying parent has no income at all. The actual minimum depends on the judge and the specific case.

What if one parent makes much more money than the other?

If one parent's income is significantly higher, the guideline still applies to the combined income. However, Louisiana has an income cap above which the judge has discretion. The cap changes yearly, so you would need to check the current year's guideline table. Above the cap, the judge can order the guideline amount or a different amount based on the child's needs and the parents' ability to pay.

Can child support be changed if one parent loses their job?

Yes, but only if the job loss is involuntary and substantial. A parent who is laid off or whose business closes can ask the court to lower support. A parent who quits their job or takes a lower-paying job by choice usually cannot use that to lower support. The court will look at whether the change was voluntary and whether the parent is making a good-faith effort to find work.

Is child support the same if the parents were never married?

The formula and guidelines are the same whether the parents were married or not. The main difference is that unmarried parents may need to establish paternity first — meaning the father's legal relationship to the child must be documented — before a support order can be issued. Once paternity is established, the child support calculation follows the same rules.

Does child support end at age 18?

In Louisiana, child support typically ends when the child turns 18, unless the child is still in high school. If the child is still enrolled in high school when they turn 18, support continues until the child graduates or turns 19, whichever comes first. Support also ends if the child is emancipated, joins the military, or gets married before age 18.