A Primer on Child Support in Louisiana

Abstract

This Article is the seventh in a series of primers on Louisiana Family Law. The Louisiana Civil Code of 1870, as amended to date, operates as the primary source of law, with other ancillary statutes and codes on particular subject matters. The law of child support is found predominantly in Code Title V on Divorce in Part 1-A of Chapter 1 in Title 9 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. Like the majority of states, Louisiana adopted the income shares model to calculate the amount of child support owed by parents. While much of the law is prescribed by formulas and worksheets, unique legal issues determine child support dollars that flow to the child. Ultimately, children should share in the income of both parents, without economic dislocation, until the child’s majority or emancipation.

Keywords: Louisiana Civil Code, Louisiana Family Law, child support