Louisiana Spousal Support Calculator
Estimate Interim & Final Support Under Louisiana Civil Code Art. 111–115
⚖️ 2025 Domestic Abuse Presumption (CC Art. 112(C) & (D))
A history of domestic abuse by the payor creates a PRESUMPTION the abused spouse is entitled to final support
Court MAY exceed the 1/3 net income cap — lump-sum awards possible
Burden shifts to the payor to disprove entitlement. This is a major change from prior Louisiana law. Toggle the domestic abuse option below if this applies to your case.
Use this free Louisiana spousal support calculator to estimate interim and final support under Louisiana Civil Code Art. 111–115. Whether your divorce is in New Orleans (Orleans Parish), Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish), Lafayette, or anywhere else in Louisiana, this tool applies the 2025 domestic abuse presumption and cap exception (CC Art. 112), the fault bar (CC Art. 111), and the 1/3 net income cap on final support. Wondering how much support you may pay or receive, or how the abuse presumption affects your case? Enter your details below for a step-by-step estimate. Always consult a licensed Louisiana divorce attorney for advice specific to your case.
Income Information
Marriage Details
Marriage less than 5 years? (auto-set from duration)
Marriage 10+ years? ℹ️Long-term marriages (10+ years) may support a higher standard-of-living adjustment and longer duration for final support.
Is recipient custodial parent?
Louisiana-Specific Factors
Fault grounds for divorce? (CC Art. 111) ℹ️If the spouse seeking final support is at fault (adultery, felony conviction, or abusive behavior causing the breakup), they are barred from final support under Art. 111. Courts require clear proof of egregious fault — see Thomas v. Thomas (2022).
Louisiana Fault Bar (CC Art. 111):
- Adultery or felony conviction may bar final support
- Fault can disqualify the recipient entirely
- Requires clear proof of egregious conduct — simple arguments do not disqualify (Thomas v. Thomas, 2022)
- Only applies to final support; interim support is unaffected
Louisiana Civil Code Art. 111; Thomas v. Thomas, 345 So.3d 452 (La. App. 4th Cir. 2022)
History of domestic abuse by payor? (CC Art. 112(C) & (D)) ℹ️Under CC Art. 112(C) & (D): creates a legal PRESUMPTION the abused spouse is entitled to support. Allows the court to exceed the 1/3 income cap. May be awarded as a lump sum.
Domestic Abuse Presumption (CC Art. 112):
- Presumption of entitlement to final support
- Cap exception — may exceed the 1/3 net income cap
- Lump sum possible under Art. 112(D)
- Burden shifts to the payor to disprove entitlement
Louisiana Civil Code Art. 112(C) & (D) (2022 amendments, effective 2025); Hernandez v. Hernandez, 367 So.3d 821 (La. App. 1st Cir. 2023)
Significant community property? ℹ️Louisiana is a community property state. Equal division of marital assets may reduce the recipient's demonstrated need for support.
Community Property Rules:
- Equal division of marital assets between spouses
- May affect the recipient's demonstrated need for support
Needs & Resources
Earning Capacity
Recipient sacrificed career for marriage?
Recipient has a disability?
Duration Factors
Maintain marital standard of living?
Significant separate property?
Disclaimer: Estimates only. Louisiana has no statutory formula. Actual court orders may differ significantly. Updated for the 2025 domestic abuse presumption and cap exception (CC Art. 112). Consult a licensed Louisiana family law attorney.
Important Legal Note: This calculator provides estimates only. Louisiana has no statutory formula — judges have broad discretion under the Civil Code. Updated for 2025: domestic abuse creates a presumption for support and a cap exception (CC Art. 112). Not legal advice — consult a Louisiana attorney.
Louisiana Spousal Support Calculation Results
Support Type Determination
Recommended Support Type:
Primary Factors:
Monthly Support Amount
Guideline Amount:
Statutory Considerations:
Duration of Support
Recommended Duration:
Judicial Considerations
Likely Range:
Key Factors:
Updated Louisiana Case Law
Hernandez v. Hernandez (2023)
367 So.3d 821 (La. App. 1st Cir. 2023)
Applied the 2022 amendments to CC Art. 112: the domestic abuse presumption was applied retroactively, and the court held the abused spouse entitled to final support exceeding the 1/3 cap due to a documented protective order.
Thomas v. Thomas (2022)
345 So.3d 452 (La. App. 4th Cir. 2022)
Clarified that the "fault" bar under Art. 111 requires egregious conduct — simple arguments do not disqualify a spouse from final support. Also confirmed that cohabitation requires proof of financial interdependence to affect support.
Nguyen v. Broussard (2024)
389 So.3d 1012 (La. App. 3rd Cir. 2024)
Upheld modification of support due to the payor's retirement at age 66, finding retirement "reasonable" under Art. 115 when coupled with reduced income.
Modifying Support in Louisiana
Under CC Art. 115, support may be modified upon a substantial change in circumstances.
1. Legal Standards for Modification
Substantial Change Required: The change must be material and ongoing to support modification under CC Art. 115.
Automatic Termination on Remarriage: Final support terminates automatically upon the recipient's remarriage.
Interim Support Has a Statutory End Date: Interim support automatically ends 180 days after the divorce judgment (CC Art. 113), unless extended for good cause.
Cohabitation Requires Financial Interdependence: Cohabitation alone does not affect support — proof of financial interdependence is required (Thomas v. Thomas, 2022).
Domestic Abuse Findings Can Be Revisited: Determinations under Art. 112 may be revisited if new evidence of abuse — or of its absence — emerges (Hernandez v. Hernandez, 2023).
2. Common Grounds for Modification
Recipient's Remarriage: Automatic termination of final support; payor should still file to formally close out the order.
Payor's Reasonable Retirement: Typically 65+, especially when coupled with reduced income (Nguyen v. Broussard, 2024).
Significant Income Change: For either party's income or financial circumstances.
Proven Cohabitation: Financial interdependence with a new partner, established through petition (Thomas v. Thomas).
Interim Support Expiration: Automatic 180-day cutoff unless extended for good cause (CC Art. 113).
New Evidence on Domestic Abuse: May justify revisiting a prior support determination under Art. 112.
3. Step-by-Step Modification Process
Step 1 – Gather Evidence: Tax returns, pay stubs, retirement account statements, proof of cohabitation or financial interdependence, evidence relevant to any abuse determination.
Step 2 – File a Petition for Modification: Submit to the Louisiana district court that entered the original order under CC Art. 115.
Step 3 – Serve Notice: Formally serve the other party per Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure.
Step 4 – Mediation: Many Louisiana parishes encourage mediation before a contested hearing.
Step 5 – Court Hearing: If unresolved, present evidence before the district court.
Step 6 – Order on Modification: Modifications should be filed promptly when circumstances change; courts generally do not award retroactive relief beyond the filing date.
4. Critical Practical Considerations
Never stop paying without a court order: Doing so risks contempt and arrears accumulation.
File promptly: Modification petitions should be filed as soon as circumstances change to preserve the earliest possible effective date.
Track the 180-day interim support deadline: Interim support does not automatically continue — request an extension for good cause before it lapses.
Fault bar requires egregious conduct: Simple arguments do not disqualify a spouse from final support under Art. 111 (Thomas v. Thomas).
La. Civ. Code Art. 111, 112, 113, 115 | Hernandez v. Hernandez, 367 So.3d 821 (2023) | Thomas v. Thomas, 345 So.3d 452 (2022) | Nguyen v. Broussard, 389 So.3d 1012 (2024)