• Learn about child support in Louisiana.Child image by ivan kmit from Fotolia.com
  
  In Louisiana, all non-custodial parents are required by law to financially support their children by paying child support. Child support is a monthly payment to the custodial parent that helps covers the child's basic needs like food, clothing and shelter. The Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support, Support Enforcement Services enforces child support in Louisiana.
  
  

Income Shares Model

• Louisiana family law courts use the Income Shares Model to determine the amount of child support the non-custodial parent must pay each month. This formula takes into account both parent's gross income and applies a percentage to it based on the number of minor children they have together. That figure is then divided proportionately based on each parent's ability to pay and which parent has primary custody.
  
  

Deviations & Adjustments

• At the court's discretion, it will deviate or make adjustments to the sum calculated by the Income Shares Model when the combined gross income is exceptionally low or high, one or both parents is already paying child support for children from previous relationships, the child has special medical or educational needs, one party has excessive debt or the non-custodial parent is or becomes disabled.
  
  

Delinquency

• Delinquency occurs when a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support for six consecutive months or longer. Once the Department of Social Services has exhausted all efforts to collect past due payment, such as intercepting tax refunds or a portion of the non-custodial parent's paycheck, the non-custodial parent will be placed on Louisiana's Delinquent Payors "Most Wanted" Poster.