One shocking fact about equal custody is that it does not excuse you from paying child support — at least not in Louisiana. On the surface, it feels logical that if both parents have the children half the time, they should each pay half the costs.
That’s often not the case, however. To understand why you have to pay child support even though you have 50/50 custody, it’s important to first learn how child support really works.
What Are Louisiana’s Laws On Child Support?
According to Louisiana Revised Statute 9:315.9, shared custody means each parent has the child for about equal time. But this doesn’t mean they split costs down the middle.
How Louisiana Calculates Child Support
The court starts with a basic amount needed to support the child, basing this figure on the couple’s financial situation when they were still raising the child together. The court increases these costs by 50% because maintaining two homes costs more than maintaining one. From this figure, each parent is assigned their share based on how much they earn.
Each parent then gets credit for their time with the child. More custody time can reduce the amount of support you might pay. But your income still matters more than custody time.
The court factors in extra costs, such as:
- Daycare during work hours
- Health insurance
- Regular medical bills
- Special needs or activities
The parent who ends up owing more — usually the higher-earning parent — sends the difference to the other parent. Louisiana parents can get rough estimates on how much they’ll be required to contribute by using the government’s child support estimator worksheet.
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Why Does Income Matter More Than Time?
Before the divorce, children benefit from everything both parents earn. A parent making $200,000 a year and one making $40,000 create a total family income of $240,000. The child’s life is built around that combined amount.
After divorce, courts want to try to keep the child’s life balanced. They don’t want the child to have a $200,000 standard of living in one home and a $40,000 standard of living in the other. Support payments are intended to help parents maintain a steadier environment for their children.
What Other Costs Come With Equal Custody?
Parents often focus on splitting basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter, but equal custody creates new expenses. Two homes now need to wholly accommodate the children. Transportation and similar costs may rise. And since moving all of the child’s belongings back and forth is not practical, the overall budget for clothing and other items can increase.
Then there are the fixed costs that don’t change with custody time:
- Sports and activities fees
- School expenses and supplies
- Medical bills and prescriptions
- Special tutoring or therapy
- Summer camps and programs
These costs must be divided fairly, not equally. Even with equal custody time, a parent who earns more may need to cover a larger share of activities or medical bills.
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Can You Modify A Child Support Order In Louisiana?
Yes. Child support orders can change if there’s a significant shift in circumstances, with top reasons including:
- Major income changes (small fluctuations are not considered)
- Job loss
- Disability, like in the event of a catastrophic car accident
- Changes in the child’s needs
- Shifts in custody arrangements
Courts require clear evidence of changed circumstances before modifying orders.
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Why You Pay Child Support Despite Equal Custody
When a court has awarded equal custody, it’s easy to assume you won’t be required to pay child support. In Louisiana, that’s not the case. Courts want children to maintain a similar standard of living as they did before the divorce. That’s why courts issue support orders that aim to ensure children’s needs are met equally, regardless of the household they’re in.
Contact our Child Support Lawyers at Knight Law Firm for Help Today
For more information, contact our experienced family law attorneys at Knight Law Firm to schedule a consultation.
We proudly serve Shreveport, Monroe, Ruston, and the surrounding areas of North Louisiana.
Knight Law Firm – Shreveport Office
401 Market Street Suite 1006
Shreveport LA 71101
Call or text 318-323-2213 or complete a Case Evaluation form
