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Last Modified on Oct 12, 2025
Getting a divorce is difficult, even without children. However, former spouses who are parents often struggle with issues like child custody and child support. Many divorcing couples ask, “What is the average child support payment in Louisiana?” Knowing the answer can provide a better understanding of what these payments might be in your situation.
Experienced Child Support Attorneys in Louisiana
The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory is dedicated to protecting the rights of both children and adults alike. In child support cases, this means making sure children have enough to develop and that parents are not excessively burdened financially. To achieve this goal, we work individually with clients to help them obtain the results they need.
What Is Child Support?
Child support is a way for the court to make sure children are being taken care of in a divorce. One parent makes these payments to the other to pay for expenses related to the child, including:
- Living expenses: These are the most common costs people think of when taking care of children. Shelter, food, water, and clothing are considered basic, so they should be taken care of first. These items promote stability in a child’s life.
- School: If the child goes to a private school, this might include tuition money. In other situations, expenses in this category can include uniforms, books, and other school supplies. Child support can also assist with extracurricular activities the child may take part in.
- Medical expenses: Health insurance is typically paid for by one parent on behalf of the child. If the child needs additional medical treatment, like surgeries or emergency room visits, then these expenses are compensated in the form of child support.
- Childcare: In many situations, both parents work. If a parent needs to pay for childcare while they go to work, then they might need child support to cover this additional expense.
- Unique circumstances: Additional expenses might come up, depending on the child and family. For example, children with disabilities might need additional care or equipment. In these situations, child support might be increased to address this need.
Child support should be used to benefit the child. This money can greatly help protect a child during a stressful time, like a divorce.
What Is the Average Child Support Payment in Louisiana?
In short, there is no real average child support payment in Louisiana. There is such a diverse range of payments that an average number would be extremely misleading. The figure is primarily calculated by using both parents’ combined monthly income.
Louisiana’s child support laws have established a schedule of payment amounts, depending on the gross income of the parents. It ranges from as little as $43 to as much as $8,783. However, these numbers do not reflect the payments of the average person.
For a hypothetical child support payment that makes more sense for Louisiana families, consider the median household income for the state, which is $60,986. Broken down into a monthly figure, the combined gross income would be just over $5,082.
Using the strict schedule dictated in the guideline, this means the average child support payment could be anywhere from $940 to $2,329, depending on the number of children involved. However, this does not account for every factor.
The custody and living situation of the family has a large role in child support obligations. For example, children who live with both parents for an equal amount of time might have less need for child support, especially if both parents make about the same amount.
If one spouse does not make an income and is the main custodian of the children, then they might receive much more in child support. It all depends on the individual family situation.
Why Hire a Child Support Lawyer?
At The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory, we know that every family situation is different. Even though Louisiana has a set amount of child support payments, that figure might not reflect an individual family’s full needs. Our firm can find a solution that benefits both the children and the parents.
FAQs
How Does Louisiana Calculate Child Support?
Louisiana calculates child support based on both parents’ income. This is called the combined adjusted monthly gross income. Based on this amount, there are set numbers for child support payments. If there is more than one child involved, then the number increases so that all children are accommodated. The court also considered factors unique to the children and parents.
What Is the Cap on Child Support in Louisiana?
There is no official cap on child support in Louisiana. However, the schedule that determines the monthly payments only goes up to $50,000 a month, or $600,000 annually. This does not mean that parents making over that total are capped at that amount. Parents who earn more than that must determine child support on a case-by-case basis.
What’s the Lowest You Can Pay for Child Support?
The lowest you can pay for child support depends on your and the other parent’s income. The less money you both make, the less you might pay in child support. There might be situations where child support is not needed. This happens if both parents make a similar amount of money and keep the children for a similar amount of time.
Can You Change Child Support in Louisiana?
You can change child support in Louisiana. This might be needed due to shifts in income or a family change, like a new marriage. If you need to alter your child support, you can file a modification with the court. This allows the court to re-evaluate the situation and change the payments accordingly, based on the new income. A Louisiana child support attorney can assist with this process.
Contact a Louisiana Child Support Attorney
23.1% of Louisiana residents are under 18. For many of these individuals, child support is necessary to keep them safe so they can grow. If you need assistance with calculating what your child support payment might be, schedule a consultation with The Law Office of Joshua S. Guillory today.
