New Orleans Child Support Lawyer

CHILD SUPPORT

In Louisiana, child support is determined under the following  guidelines set by the state legislature. The guidelines consider:

1. The net income of both parents: Net income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, dividends, pension, retirement benefits, etc. It also includes income from trust funds and annuities.

2. The number of children: The amount of child support increases with the number of children involved.

3. Health care costs: The cost of health insurance for the child and any extraordinary medical expenses are factored into the calculation.

4. Childcare costs: If either parent incurs childcare expenses due to work, job search, or education, those costs are considered.

5. Shared or split custody: The arrangement of custody can affect the calculation. In shared or split custody situations, each parent has the child for a significant amount of time, which can reduce the amount of child support.

Once these factors are considered, a basic child support obligation is determined. This amount can be adjusted for extraordinary expenses like education costs or special needs of the child. Please note that the court has the discretion to deviate from the guidelines if it would be in the best interest of the child or if the result would be inequitable to either parent.

Enforcement of child support is done through the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. If a parent fails to pay child support, the department can enforce payment through various measures such as wage garnishment, seizure of property, suspension of licenses, etc.

The attorneys at The Sunseri Law Firm, LLC strives to “Make The Complex Understandable”. If you have any questions, contact The Sunseri Law Firm, LLC today to schedule a consultation.