In Need of A Child Support Attorney in Baton Rouge, LA?
At the Russell Law Firm, LLC, our Baton Rouge child support attorneys represent parents throughout Louisiana during their divorces and/or child custody cases, so they understand their legal rights and options to pay or receive a fair amount of child support.
Our family law attorneys in East Baton Rouge Parish help our clients understand how child support is calculated and, based on their unique cases, how it can be set privately through a mutual support agreement, or via litigation through a Louisiana family court.
Multiple factors are considered when determining the amount of child support to be paid, which is governed by legal guidelines. It is important for Louisiana parents to understand the courts may deviate from the guidelines under certain circumstances.
We can help you understand what that means for you and your children’s financial stability starting with a free case evaluation.
How is Child Support Determined in Louisiana?
The State of Louisiana has a set of specific child support guidelines based on an income share method. This approach is designed to ensure that both custodial and non-custodial parents contribute to their children’s well-being.
The major components associated with Louisiana child support decisions include:
- The child custody share.
- The number of minor children the parents share.
- Each parent’s adjusted gross income.
- Childcare costs.
- Extraordinary medical costs.
Under the income share model, the Louisiana family courts use economic guidelines to estimate the total monthly cost of raising the children. The non-custodial parent pays a percentage of the calculated cost that is based on their proportional share of both parents’ combined income.
Under this model, a child support determination example would include:
- The non-custodial parent of one child has an income of $2,000 per month.
- The custodial parent has an income of $1,000 per month.
- The court estimates that the cost of raising one child is $1,000 a month.
- The non-custodial parent’s income is 66.6% of the parent’s total combined income.
- Therefore, the non-custodial parent pays $666 per month in child support, or 66.6% of the total child support obligation.
Louisiana law allows the judge overseeing the child support order to use a shared custody
agreement as justification for a variation from the state’s general child support calculations.
How Long Does Child Support Last in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, the obligation to pay support for children usually ends when they reach 18.
However, there are important exceptions to this general rule, including if the child is 18, and:
- Is a “full-time” student in a “secondary school” in “good standing.”
- He or she became mentally or physically disabled before age 18.
- He or she has a disability that is so severe that he or she is incapable of self-support.
- He or she requires substantial care and personal supervision.
At The Russell Law Firm, LLC, We Also Focus On The Following Practice Areas:
- Child Custody
- Community Property Partitions
- Divorce
- Spousal Support
The Russell Law Firm Is In Your Corner, And We Fight To Win
If you are pursuing a divorce with children, or have never been married to your children’s other parent, contact our dedicated Baton Rouge child support attorneys today at (225) 307-0088 or online to get the legal support you need to produce real results for your unique case.