Calculating child support can be difficult in many ways. Regardless of whether you are paying or being paid child support, you still want to be certain the amount is correct and enough to cover your child’s basic needs. With the help of an experienced Louisiana child support attorney, you can have an accurate calculation of how much child support you owe or are owed. It’s understandable to wonder: How is child support calculated in Louisiana?
Child Support in Louisiana
Child support is an ongoing, court-ordered payment made by one parent to another in the wake of a divorce or a custody battle. It’s mainly to make sure that the custodial parent can cover the costs of raising their child. These costs include food, shelter, clothing, education, and medical care, as well as other unique expenses.
Louisiana calculates child support using an Income Shares Model, which estimates the total cost of child-rearing if both parents were together.
Calculating Child Support in Louisiana
Calculating child support starts with the Income Shares Model but considers many other contributing factors to reach the total amount that the noncustodial parent pays to the other parent. Child support is common throughout Louisiana. In fact, 45% of children in Louisiana live in single-parent homes, with many of those homes receiving child support payments.
Payments are first calculated by looking at gross monthly income. To get an idea of how much child support is owed, the court calculates each parent’s gross monthly income. They consider wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, and even income generated from investments. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed, the court may calculate their income based on past earning capacity.
The state’s Department of Children & Family Services offers an online child support worksheet where you can calculate these numbers yourself to get a rough estimate of each parent’s total monthly income. Once the gross monthly income is established, calculate the following:
- Basic child support obligation. The court combines both parents’ gross incomes to find the combined adjusted monthly gross income. That number is then added to the number of children being supported to find the basic child support obligation amount.
- Adding shared expenses. The court then adds in any necessary shared child-related expenses, such as health insurance, childcare, and certain extraordinary medical expenses that may arise.
- Dividing the obligation. The total combined child support obligation is then divided proportionately based on each parent’s percentage of the combined income. Generally, the parent who makes more is the one who pays more in child support.
- Adjusting for parenting time. If the parents are sharing physical custody, the basic child support obligation may be adjusted in accordance with how much time the child spends with each parent.
Child support in Louisiana is ultimately calculated based on each parent’s income level, adjusting for extenuating circumstances and considering parenting time. If you have questions about your child support obligation or your ex’s, you should consult with a child support lawyer to learn what your options are.
Hire a Child Support Lawyer
Having the right lawyer in your corner throughout your child custody laws battle can provide you with peace of mind at the very least. A child support case can be contentious, emotional, and confusing if you don’t know how much needs to be paid. Knowing the child support amount at hand is the most important part of your situation.
The Thompson Law Office, LLC is composed of dedicated, focused professionals with decades of combined experience in family law cases just like yours. We aggressively represent our clients, whether they are seeking child support, looking to modify an order, or needing to recoup owed payments. With our attention to detail, you know the service you received is tailored to your needs.
FAQs
How Much Is Child Support for One Kid in Louisiana?
There is no telling how much child support may be for one kid in Louisiana. There is no minimum amount based on the number of kids. Child support is calculated based on each parent’s gross monthly income using an Income Shares Model. Certain factors must be considered, such as whether the parents are still living together or how much each parent is paying for the child’s health insurance premiums.
Who Enforces Child Support Payments in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, child support payments are enforced by the Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS), particularly Child Support Enforcement (CSE) services. They assist in locating absent parents, establishing paternity, and enforcing or modifying child support orders. If your ex is refusing to pay child support or is actively ignoring a court order to do so, notify your lawyer, and they can contact the CSE. You may be counting on that money for your child.
Who Pays Child Support in a 50/50 Custody Situation in Louisiana?
If the parents have a 50/50 joint custody situation in Louisiana, then the parent with the higher income is generally held responsible for paying child support to the parent with the lower income. Since both parents are sharing equal responsibility for raising their child, the goal of child support in this instance is to make sure the child experiences a similar standard of living in both households with no interruptions in quality.
Does a Father Have Equal Parenting Rights in Louisiana?
Fathers have equal parenting rights in Louisiana. The state tends to push for joint custody, and the court presumes that physical custody should be shared equally. It’s not uncommon for mothers to pay child support to fathers who hold sole physical and legal custody. Child support is paid by the parent with the higher income, and gender has nothing to do with that.
Be Sure to Hire a Child Support Lawyer Today
It’s vital to know exactly how much you need to pay for child support or how much you are owed in child support. The last thing you want is to be taken advantage of when it comes to being financially sound for your children. At The Thompson Law Office, LLC, we can help you put together a plan, seek out the absent parent, and enforce child support orders. Contact us to speak with a member of our team about your options.
