Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:315.2 – Calculation of basic child support obligation
Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:315.2
- Adjusted gross income: means gross income, minus:
(a) Amounts for preexisting child support or spousal support obligations owed under an order of support to another who is not a party to the proceedings and
(b) At the court's discretion, amounts paid on behalf of a party's minor child who is not the subject of the action of the court. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:315
- Combined adjusted gross income: means the combined adjusted gross income of both parties. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:315
- Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
- Gross income: means :
(a) The income from any source, including but not limited to salaries, wages, commissions, bonuses, dividends, severance pay, pensions, interest, trust income, recurring monetary gifts, annuities, capital gains, social security benefits, workers' compensation benefits, basic and variable allowances for housing and subsistence from military pay and benefits, unemployment insurance benefits, disaster unemployment assistance received from the United States Department of Labor, disability insurance benefits, and spousal support received from a preexisting spousal support obligation;
(b) Expense reimbursement or in-kind payments received by a parent in the course of employment, self-employment, or operation of a business, if the reimbursements or payments are significant and reduce the parent's personal living expenses. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:315
- Income: means :
(a) Actual gross income of a party, if the party is employed to full capacity; or
(b) Potential income of a party, if the party is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 9:315
- Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
A. Each party shall provide to the court a verified income statement showing gross income and adjusted gross income, together with documentation of current and past earnings. Spouses of the parties shall also provide any relevant information with regard to the source of payments of household expenses upon request of the court or the opposing party, provided such request is filed in a reasonable time prior to the hearing. Failure to timely file the request shall not be grounds for a continuance. Suitable documentation of current earnings shall include but not be limited to pay stubs or employer statements. The documentation shall include a copy of the party’s most recent federal tax return. A copy of the statement and documentation shall be provided to the other party. When an obligor has an ownership interest in a business, suitable documentation shall include but is not limited to the last three personal and business state and federal income tax returns, including all attachments and all schedules, specifically Schedule K-1 and W-2 forms, 1099 forms, and amendments, the most recent profit and loss statements, balance sheets, financial statements, quarterly sales tax reports, personal and business bank account statements, receipts, and expenses. A copy of all statements and documentation shall be provided to the other party.
B. If a party is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, his or her gross income shall be determined as set forth in La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.11.
C. The parties shall combine the amounts of their adjusted gross incomes. Each party shall then determine by percentage his or her proportionate share of the combined amount. The amount obtained for each party is his or her percentage share of the combined adjusted gross income.
NOTE: Subsection (D) eff. until Jan. 1, 2024. See Acts 2023, No. 24.
D. The court shall determine the basic child support obligation amount from the schedule in La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.19 by using the combined adjusted gross income of the parties and the number of children involved in the proceeding, but in no event shall the amount of child support be less than the amount provided in La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.14.
NOTE: Subsection (D) as amended by Acts 2023, No. 24, eff. Jan. 1, 2024.
D. The court shall determine the basic child support obligation amount from the schedule in La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.19 by using the combined adjusted gross income of the parties and the number of children involved in the proceeding, but in no event shall the lowest basic amount of child support in the schedule be construed as a limitation on the court’s authority to deviate under La. Rev. Stat. 9:315.1(C).
E. After the basic child support obligation has been established, the total child support obligation shall be determined as hereinafter provided in this Part.
Acts 1989, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 9, §1, eff. Oct. 1, 1989; Acts 2001, No. 1082, §1; Acts 2009, No. 378, §1; Acts 2023, No. 24, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2024.