
Are you seeking to receive child support or ensure that you pay a fair amount? If so, a compassionate Shreveport child support attorney at Knight Law Firm is here to help with every aspect of your child support matter. Contact our law office in Shreveport, Louisiana by calling (318) 726-2565 to schedule a consultation.
Our lawyers can work to make this challenging process more manageable for you and your family.
Ensuring your child receives the support they need in Shreveport, LA, is of the utmost importance. Our dedicated legal team can negotiate for a just outcome and provide courtroom representation if an amicable resolution cannot be reached.
Contact our law office in Shreveport, Louisiana, to schedule a consultation with a compassionate child support attorney.
How Knight Law Firm Can Help With a Child Support Case in Shreveport

When your relationship comes to an end, it may be difficult to determine what each parent is responsible for financially. You shouldn’t have to face this uncertainty alone. Knight Law Firm has been successfully navigating the child support system in Shreveport, LA, for 19 years. With over 20 years of experience and thousands of cases handled, our skilled Shreveport family law attorney is prepared to handle your family law matter with compassion.
When you hire our Shreveport child support lawyer, you can expect us to do the following for your case:
- Discuss your legal options
- Provide sound legal advice
- Explain Louisiana child support laws
- Protect your rights
- Gather relevant information, including financial documents, to strengthen your case
- Identify any sources of income that can impact a child support calculation
- Develop a case strategy tailored to your specific needs
- Negotiate for a fair child support agreement
- Help with any child support modifications
- Represent you in court when needed
Schedule a consultation today with a Shreveport family law lawyer to learn more about your options and how we can advocate for you and your child.
How Is Child Support Calculated?
In Louisiana, both parents are responsible for financially providing for their children.
In order to estimate child support, the following are considered:
- Both parents’ monthly gross income
- Who is considered the custodial parent
- The number of children
- Any pre-existing child support
- Any pre-existing spousal support
- Childcare costs
- Educational expenses
- Parenting time
- Health insurance premiums
- Medical expenses
- Other expenses
It’s crucial to consult a family law attorney about your potential child support payments or obligations to learn what you can expect in your case.
Who Is Eligible to Receive Child Support?
In Louisiana, various parties may be entitled to receive child support from the other parent, including:
- A custodial parent
- An unmarried parent
- A divorced parent
- A legal guardian
- Recipients of public assistance
- Parents of children with special needs
Whether you are eligible to receive child support often depends on whether you are the custodial parent. If you are the primary caretaker of your child, you are more likely to receive support from the non-custodial parent.
What Does Child Support Cover?
Child support is intended to be used to care for the child. Children may have various financial needs that child support can help meet.
Child support is often used to cover the following costs:
- Food
- Clothing
- Housing
- School supplies
- Tuition
- Extracurricular activities
- Medical expenses
- Dental expenses
- Insurance premiums
- Co-pays
- Prescription medications
- Daycare
- Babysitters
- Therapy
- Special education
- Adaptive equipment
A skilled family law attorney can help assess the financial needs of your child and explain the details of any child support obligations or payments.
Can I Request a Modification of Child Support in Louisiana?
If your circumstances or the circumstances of the other parent change, you can request a modification of child support.
The following are important factors when considering child support modifications in Louisiana:
- The employment status of both parents
- The income of both parents
- Whether a parent’s income has increased or decreased
- A change in status to the child’s medical insurance coverage
- Whether the child is living with a different parent than they were previously
- Any relevant information
In addition to the above factors, the child support order must have been established or modified three or more years prior, the monthly amount must differ from the guidelines by 25% or more, or there must have been a material and substantial change.
What Are the Penalties for Failing to Pay Child Support in Louisiana?
If a parent fails to pay child support in Louisiana, they could face significant penalties, including the following:
- First offense: Fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment for up to six months
- Second or subsequent offense: Fine of up to $2,500 and/or up to two years of imprisonment
- Restitution: In an amount equal to the unpaid child support
- Owing more than $15,000 for at least a year: Fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment for up to two years
There are also enforcement methods that can be used if a parent doesn’t pay child support, including the following:
- Garnishing wages
- Intercepting tax refunds
- Suspending a driver’s license, professional license, or recreational license
- Holding a parent in contempt of court which can lead to fines or jail time
- Placing a lien on property, including homes or cars
- Seizing assets
- Denying a passport
- Reporting unpaid child support to credit bureaus
If the other parent is ordered to pay child support and refuses to do so, contact a child support lawyer to begin the process of holding them accountable and getting the financial support your child needs.
How Long Are Parents in Shreveport Required to Pay Child Support?

In Louisiana, parents typically have child support obligations until children turn 18 years old. However, there are exceptions that may cause child support payments to end or be extended.
The following can impact when child support ends:
- Schooling: If a child is still in high school at age 18, child support can continue until the child graduates high school or turns 19, whichever occurs first.
- Emancipation: If a child is emancipated through marriage, military service, or court order, child support obligations may come to an end.
- Death of a child: If the child dies, parents are no longer required to pay child support.
- Disabilities: If a child is unable to support themselves as a result of a physical or mental disability, child support can continue past their 18th birthday until they are no longer dependent.
- Post-secondary education: Parents may be ordered by the court or agree to provide financial support for a child’s college education or vocational training.
- Incarceration: If a parent is incarcerated and unable to pay child support, the payments may be suspended until the parent is released.
- Modifications: If there is a change in custody or a child’s needs, a parent can request to end or extend child support.
It is important to consult a family law attorney about how long you can expect to receive or pay child support, as each case is different.
How Are Child Support Payments Made in Louisiana?
Child support payments are made in a variety of ways, including the following methods:
- Income assignment order
- Money order
- Cashier’s check
- Expert Pay
- MoneyGram
While there are various methods used to pay child support, the most common is income assignment order, which allows an employer to withhold child support from employee wages.
What Does a Louisiana Court Consider When Determining Child Support Obligations?
Courts in Louisiana use a fixed formula to determine child support. The formula takes into account the monthly income of both parents and the number of children a parent has.
The following may be counted as income for child support:
- Wages
- Salaries
- Money earned from freelance work
- Regular cash gifts
Add-on expenses are also taken into account with basic child support to determine the total child support obligation.
How Can Parents Best Navigate the Child Support Process?

It may be difficult to come to a resolution in a child support matter. However, it is important to remember that the child’s best interest is paramount.
Remember to do the following when considering a parenting plan and how to navigate the child support process:
- Keep track of your child’s expenses, including educational, medical, food, extracurricular, housing, and more.
- Keep detailed financial documents, including pay stubs, tax forms, and more.
- Track the payments you receive or make and note any missed child support payments.
- Maintain clear communication.
- Continue to put your child’s needs first.
It is also crucial to contact a child support lawyer if you are seeking to receive child support payments or are facing child support obligations.
Contact Our Shreveport Child Support Lawyer to Schedule a Consultation

If you are dealing with a child support issue in Shreveport, LA, you need excellent legal representation to help you navigate this complex family law matter. We’ve remained committed to helping families during these challenging times for 19 years. With over 20 years of experience, our dedicated legal team is prepared to help you reach the equitable outcome your family deserves.
Contact Knight Law Firm today to schedule a consultation with our compassionate Shreveport child support lawyer and learn more about your legal options.