Louisiana Maintenance (Alimony) Calculator

What Is Louisiana Alimony (Spousal Support)?

In Louisiana, spousal support falls into two categories:

• Interim support – Temporary payments during divorce proceedings.
• Final support – Longer-term payments after the divorce, if certain legal requirements are met.

To qualify for final support, the requesting spouse must:

1. Be free from fault in the breakup of the marriage.
2. Prove they have financial need (expenses exceed income).
3. Show that the other spouse has the ability to pay.

And here’s the kicker: final support cannot exceed one-third of the paying spouse’s net income.

How the Louisiana Alimony Calculator Works

The calculator takes in four simple pieces of information:

1. Payor’s Net Monthly Income – What the paying spouse earns after taxes.
2. Recipient’s Net Monthly Income – What the requesting spouse earns after taxes.
3. Recipient’s Monthly Needs – Basic living expenses such as rent, food, and utilities.
4. Fault Status – Whether the requesting spouse is legally “free from fault.”

Once you click Calculate, the tool runs a quick analysis based on Louisiana law:

• If the recipient is not free from fault, the result is no final support.
• If the recipient’s needs are already met by their own income, or if the payor has no ability to pay, the result is no final support.
• Otherwise, the calculator compares:
  • The recipient’s financial shortfall (needs minus income).
  • The payor’s ability cap (one-third of their net income).

The smaller number becomes the estimated monthly payment.

Example Scenario

• Payor’s Net Income: $6,000
• Recipient’s Net Income: $1,000
• Recipient’s Monthly Needs: $2,500
• Recipient Fault-Free: Yes

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Recipient needs: $2,500 - $1,000 = $1,500
• Payor ability cap: $6,000 ÷ 3 = $2,000
• Final estimated payment: $1,500

The calculator also gives an analysis note, reminding users that the court has final say. Judges may consider additional factors like health, length of marriage, and standard of living.

Why This Calculator Matters

Divorce is stressful enough without financial guesswork. The Louisiana Maintenance Calculator helps:

• Set realistic expectations – Avoid false hopes or unnecessary fears.
• Improve negotiations – Both spouses can see a fair starting point.
• Save time with lawyers – Walk into consultations prepared with numbers.

But remember: this is not legal advice. Courts don’t just rely on math—they look at the bigger picture. The calculator is a helpful tool, not a verdict.

Key Takeaways

• Louisiana alimony is based on need, ability to pay, and fault.
• Payments are capped at one-third of the payor’s net income.
• The calculator offers an estimate only, not a guarantee.
• Always consult a Louisiana family law attorney before making legal decisions.

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