Louisiana Child Support Calculator – Accurate & Easy to Use

What Is the Louisiana Child Support Calculator?

The Louisiana Child Support Calculator is an online tool based on the Louisiana Child Support Guidelines. It takes into account both parents’ incomes, the number of children, custody arrangements, and extra expenses like health insurance and child care.

By entering this information, the calculator estimates how much one parent will likely need to pay the other each month.

Important: The calculator gives you an estimate, not a final legal order. Judges may adjust the amount depending on specific circumstances.

How the Calculator Works

The Louisiana Child Support Calculator follows the state’s legal formula. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown of how it calculates:

1. Enter Parent Incomes
   • Parent A’s monthly income
   • Parent B’s monthly income
   • Both are combined to figure out the family’s total adjusted gross income.
2. Select Number of Children
   • The law sets different obligations depending on whether you have 1, 2, 3, or more children.
3. Choose Custody Arrangement
   • Sole/Joint Custody (Worksheet A): Typically, the non-custodial parent pays support.
   • Shared Custody (Worksheet B): The formula is adjusted since both parents share significant time with the children.
4. Add Extra Expenses
   • Health insurance premiums for the children
   • Child care costs (like daycare or after-school programs)
5. Get Your Result
   • The calculator applies Louisiana’s official support schedule.
   • It shows who pays, who receives, and the estimated monthly payment.

Example: How Payments Are Estimated

Let’s say:

• Parent A earns $5,000 per month
• Parent B earns $3,000 per month
• They have 2 children
• Custody is sole custody with Parent A
• Health insurance is $200 per month

Here’s what happens:

• The calculator finds the basic child support obligation based on combined income ($8,000).
• It divides this obligation between the parents according to their income share.
• It adds health insurance and child care expenses to the total.
• The result shows how much Parent B pays Parent A each month.

Why Use the Louisiana Child Support Calculator?

Quick & Easy – No need to dig through complicated tables or legal forms.
Transparent – Helps both parents understand how the law applies to their case.
Planning Tool – Useful for negotiations, mediation, or preparing for court.
Fairness Check – Ensures both parents see how their income and expenses are factored in.

Things to Keep in Mind

While the calculator is very helpful, remember:

• It’s an estimate. Judges can adjust support orders depending on circumstances.
• Extraordinary expenses (like private school, special medical needs, or extracurricular activities) may not be fully included.
• Legal advice matters. Always consult a family law attorney for accurate guidance tailored to your case.

Louisiana Child Support Guidelines in a Nutshell

The Louisiana guidelines use what’s called the Income Shares Model. This means both parents’ incomes are combined to reflect what they would have spent on their children if they were still together. The support obligation is then split proportionally between parents.

So, child support is not just about who has custody—it’s about each parent contributing fairly based on income.

Try the Louisiana Child Support Calculator

If you’re ready to see your estimate, you can use the tool right on this page:

[Louisiana Child Support Calculator] (insert calculator code here)

Enter your details, and the calculator will instantly show you the estimated payment.