What is the average child support payment in Louisiana? The answer isn’t as clear as it might seem. The average child support payment for one person might be entirely different from that of another based on their circumstances. Fortunately, there are some ways to estimate what your child support payment might look like.

Experienced Child Support Attorneys in Louisiana

Eric S. Neumann, Attorney at Law, has been helping families in Acadiana for over 25 years. Our firm works with individuals who are struggling with the details of divorce and child custody issues. We aim to provide compassion for people dealing with issues that hit close to home.

What Is the Average Child Support Payment in Louisiana?

The average child support payment in Louisiana depends on the household’s income. The median household income in Louisiana is $58,229, or a monthly income of about $4,852.

Referring to the legal guideline authored by the state, this would result in a $908 monthly child support obligation for one child and a $1,388 obligation for two children. The amount increases based on the number of children receiving child support.

However, this does not account for additional expenses that might be included beyond the initial payment. This includes expenses such as medical and transportation costs.

If the child attends private school, this tuition might need to be added to a child support payment. This also applies to any extracurricular activities that support the best interests of the child.

The actual amount one person pays is based on how much of their income contributes to the overall household income. For example, if someone earns 50% of the income in a household, they might owe 50% of the total child support obligation.

Unique Considerations

Some people worry that the other parent will choose to earn less money or hide it in assets to avoid paying child support. Louisiana courts are aware of this and can require someone to pay if they are able to get a job. They are normally exempt if they have a disability that prevents them from working.

In these cases, the courts look at how much money a parent might earn if they were working. They look at factors such as age, work history, and educational background.

If one parent has children who live with them that are not related to the other spouse, then their child support amount might be reduced to take care of the other children.

Why Hire a Child Support Lawyer?

There are several situations where hiring a child support attorney might significantly help your case. Some cases that might benefit from legal help include:

• Complicated cases. Contested divorces happen when each spouse has a different idea of what should happen in a divorce. This often leads to longer cases that involve more conflict. Most of the time, an attorney should be consulted to address cases with many competing interests.
• The other parent. The other parent might have already gotten an attorney. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to even the odds of success. It usually doesn’t work out in your favor if you try to face another attorney alone.
• Documentation. The court wants proof for its child custody determinations. An attorney can gather the right documents for them to make an informed decision.
• Child custody. In many situations, child custody and child support cases are going on at the same time. For many people, this can be difficult to handle. An attorney can look at both cases to make sure they fit with each other.
• Changing support. If you or your spouse’s income changes after the first order is made, you might need to change the amount of child support each person pays. These modifications sometimes need legal help to ensure everyone pays their fair share.

Generally, attorneys make the child support process go faster and smoother. They can answer all of your questions to help address the difficult parts of the legal system.

Why Choose Us?

We work with people who never considered that they would need an attorney. Eric S. Neumann, Attorney at Law, knows what it’s like to work with an attorney for the first time. It can be intimidating, but our firm works to make the process as simple as possible.

FAQs

How Does Louisiana Calculate Child Support?

Louisiana calculates child support based on the household’s monthly income. This income is split based on the amount that each parent contributes to the household. This amount is calculated by the court as the cost of raising a child. The number increases as the number of children being cared for increases.

How Much Does the Average Father Pay in Child Support?

How much the average father pays in child support depends on how much money each spouse makes. The amount of child support each person owes is based on the total household income and the proportion of their individual income to the total. For a more accurate estimate of your overall child support obligation, consider working with a child support attorney.

How Much Is Child Support if I Make $100,000 a Year?

How much child support is owed for a $100,000 salary a year depends on how much the other parent makes. A $100,000 a year household income would lead to an overall child support obligation of about $1,230-$1,235 monthly for one child. If the other parent makes additional income, this figure would have to be recalculated.

How Does Child Custody Affect Child Support Payments?

Child custody affects child support payments because it changes the amount each parent has to pay in child support. There are different formulas used for joint custody versus equal physical custody. Both parents are responsible for the expenses associated with raising their children, but each parent is responsible for a different amount.

Making Tough Situations More Manageable

Even with the knowledge of how much your child support payment might be, this figure might still be inaccurate. The exact amount varies based on each family’s situation. For a more precise calculation of your exact child support payment, schedule a consultation with Eric S. Neumann, Attorney at Law.