Enter both parents' monthly gross incomes, use the Louisiana schedule, and prorate add-ons. This yields a base obligation; then add health premiums, childcare, and parenting-time credits.
Enter both parents' monthly gross incomes on Worksheet A. Combine those amounts to find the schedule line for your number of children. Then prorate the schedule amount by each parent's income share.
Where to enter gross income
Gross income includes wages, salary, tips, bonuses, commissions, and self-employment income before deductions. Do not enter net pay or take-home pay. Use pay stubs, year-to-date totals, or tax returns when pay varies.
Allowable deductions and adjustments
Allowed adjustments include court-ordered spousal support and payroll taxes like FICA when the worksheet directs them. The worksheet disallows personal living expenses as deductions from gross income. For self-employed parents, use business income after ordinary expenses but before owner draws.
Keep originals of all pay stubs and tax forms.
Worksheet A/B walkthrough
Worksheet A collects gross income and basic deductions. Worksheet B applies the schedule amount, prorates by income share, and adds health and childcare costs. First copy monthly gross to Worksheet A, line by line, then compute combined gross.
How custody changes the numbers
Custody and parenting time change the final support number. Apply parenting-time credits, shared or split custody models, and any judicial deviation. Model the base Income Shares obligation, then run scenarios for different percentages.
Parenting-time credit explained
A parenting-time credit reduces the paying parent's cash obligation. The credit applies when the other parent has extended overnights or large daytime care. Many guides ignore overnight counts and understate parenting time.
Shared and split custody modeling
Shared custody often lowers net cash support because both parents cover direct costs. Split custody treats each child separately in the schedule. Model support separately for each child when custody splits by child.
Run numbers before the court hearing or negotiation.
Health insurance, childcare, and tax credits
After the base schedule amount, add health premiums, childcare, and extraordinary costs. Prorate these costs by each parent's income share. Gather receipts and contracts to document payments.
Health-insurance premium credit
Employer-paid child premiums count as a credit or as an expense to share. Enter the total child-only premium on Worksheet B and list employer contributions. Assign the remaining premium to parents by income share.
Childcare and daycare allocation
Childcare needed for work or education is an add-on to prorate. Keep receipts and the provider contract to document monthly costs. Enter monthly childcare on Worksheet B and prorate like health insurance.
Dependency exemptions and tax impacts
Allocating dependency exemptions affects who claims the child on taxes. This allocation does not change the Income Shares base obligation. Check IRS guidance for federal tax law changes that affect interceptions or refunds.
See the OCSE resources for federal interception programs: OCSE.
The calculator needs both parents' monthly gross incomes and the number of children. Also enter parenting-time percentage, monthly child-only health premium, and childcare costs. The tool then shows combined gross, schedule base, each parent's prorated share, and final allocation. Use the examples below to check the calculator results.
Save copies of every worksheet and receipt.
Interactive calculator features
Include a parenting-time slider, shared and split toggles, and an imputed income option. Add export to Worksheet A/B format so the court receives a clear calculation. Test the imputed income option if a parent is voluntarily underemployed.
Worksheet A - Monthly Gross Income
- Parent 1 name: ________
- Parent 1 monthly gross: $____
- Parent 2 name: ________
- Parent 2 monthly gross: $____
- Combined monthly gross: $____ (sum lines 2 and 4)
- Adjustments (spousal, FICA if directed): $____
- Adjusted combined gross: $____
Worksheet B - Income Shares Calculation
- Number of children: __
- Schedule amount (by combined gross and children): $____
- Parent 1 share = (Parent1 gross / Combined gross) × Schedule amount: $____
- Parent 2 share = (Parent2 gross / Combined gross) × Schedule amount: $____
- Monthly child-only health premium: $____
- Employer contribution to premium: $____
- Monthly childcare cost: $____
- Extraordinary monthly expenses: $____
- Final Parent 1 obligation: $____
- Final Parent 2 obligation: $____
Notes: Attach pay stubs and receipts. Record parenting-time % used: ______%.
Multiple solved numeric examples
The examples below show the math step by step for common income ranges and custody splits. The 2024 Louisiana guideline schedule provides the base amounts used in these examples. Use the examples to check calculator output.
Example 1 (Low income, 1 child): Parent A $2,000, Parent B $1,000, combined $3,000. Schedule amount for one child at $3,000 combined = $600 (example schedule figure). Parent A share = (2000/3000) × 600 = $400. Parent B share = $200. Add $100 childcare prorated: Parent A pays $66.67, Parent B pays $33.33.
Example 2 (Median income, 2 children): Parent A $4,000, Parent B $2,000, combined $6,000. Schedule amount for two children at $6,000 combined = $1,100 (example). Parent A share = (4000/6000) × 1100 = $733.33. Parent B share = $366.67. Add $250 monthly health premium with $50 employer contribution, remaining $200 prorated.
Example 3 (High income, shared custody): Parent A $12,000, Parent B $6,000, combined $18,000. Schedule amount for two children at $18,000 combined = $2,200 (example). Parent A share = $1,466.67. Parent B share = $733.33. If parenting time is 45% for Parent A, model a parenting-time credit to see net cash transfer.
Comparison table: sample obligations
| Income Bracket (combined) |
Children |
Sample schedule amount |
Parent A share (2:1 split) |
| $3,000 |
1 |
$600 |
$400 |
| $6,000 |
2 |
$1,100 |
$733.33 |
| $18,000 |
2 |
$2,200 |
$1,466.67 |
1. Enter both parents' monthly gross income
2. Find schedule amount by combined income and children
3. Prorate schedule by income share
4. Add health, childcare, extraordinary costs
5. Apply parenting-time credit or deviation
Fully worked, end-to-end numeric examples:
- To avoid ambiguity, here are three complete computations that carry every line through to a final monthly cash transfer. Example A (low-income, 1 child): Parent A $2,000, Parent B $1,000 — combined $3,000.
- Schedule base (illustrative) $600 — Parent A share = (2000/3000) × 600 = $400; Parent B = $200. Add childcare $100/month (no employer contribution): Parent A pays $66.67, Parent B pays $33.33.
- Final cash transfer = Parent A owes $400 + $66.67 = $466.67; Parent B owes $200 + $33.33 = $233.33 (net transfer depends on who is primary custodian). Example B (median, 2 children with employer premium): Parent A $4,000, Parent B $2,000 — combined $6,000.
- Schedule base $1,100 — Parent A $733.33, Parent B $366.67. Health premium $250 with $50 employer contribution leaves $200 net: Parent A pays $133.33, Parent B $66.67. Childcare $200/month prorated: Parent A $133.33, Parent B $66.67. Final obligations: Parent A $733.33 + $133.33 + $133.33 = $999.99.
- Parent B $366.67 + $66.67 + $66.67 = $500.01. Example C (high-income, shared custody with parenting-time credit): Parent A $12,000, Parent B $6,000 — combined $18,000.
- Schedule base $2,200 — Parent A $1,466.67, Parent B $733.33. Child-only premium $300 with $100 employer contribution → $200 net (Parent A share $133.33, Parent B $66.67). Childcare $400/month → Parent A pays $266.67, Parent B $133.33. If Parent A exercises 45% parenting time and the modeled parenting-time credit reduces cash obligation by $300, apply the credit against Parent A's cash obligation: Parent A total before credit: $1,866.67; after credit: $1,566.67.
These stepwise totals show how each add-on and credit moves the final payment.
Modification, enforcement, and practical steps
To modify support, a parent files a petition showing a material change in circumstances. Provide supporting documents like pay stubs, tax returns, and custody orders. Courts review whether the change is substantial and continuing.
How to request a modification
File a petition in the local parish court to modify child support. Attach proof such as pay stubs, tax returns, and medical records. A typical showing is at least a 15 percent change in income.
Enforcement options and steps
Enforcement starts with an income-withholding order sent to the payer's employer. Parish child support offices can pursue administrative measures like intercepts and liens. Other tools include passport denial and contempt proceedings.
Calculating arrearages and interest
Arrearages are unpaid support amounts plus any interest ordered by law or court. Keep a clear payment ledger with dates, amounts, and application details. When disputing arrears, file a motion for accounting and attach bank and wage records.
Special situations and exceptions
Certain cases need special handling, such as imputed income, self-employment, seasonal earnings, retroactive support, and support for disabled adult children. The next paragraphs explain how to treat each case in the worksheet.
Imputed income rules
Courts may impute income when a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. Common methods include using prior earnings, earning capacity, or industry averages. A common case is a parent who quits a high-paying job and the court imputes salary.
Self-employed
For self-employment, use Schedule C and profit after ordinary business costs to estimate monthly gross. Average seasonal work over two to three years when possible. This works well on paper, but courts ask for detailed bookkeeping in practice.
Retroactive support
Retroactive support needs proof the child lacked support and that paternity existed or was recognized. Emancipation events like reaching majority or marriage end regular support unless the court orders otherwise. For disabled adult children, support may continue when the court finds ongoing need.
This guidance does not apply when parties have a written agreement or a court-approved deviation. It also does not apply when paternity is not established or the dispute concerns custody allocation. Check local parish rules and any standing orders that may control procedure.
If a proposed order or worksheet looks incorrect, prepare a corrected Worksheet A/B and attach pay stubs. Then email the corrected worksheet to the other party or file it with the court.
Frequently asked questions
Use both parents' monthly gross incomes, number of children, monthly child-only health premium, monthly childcare cost, and parenting-time percentage. Then run the schedule lookup and prorate the schedule amount, adding the prorated add-ons.
How does parenting time affect the amount?
Parenting time can produce a credit that lowers the paying parent's cash obligation by accounting for direct expenses during custodial time. The court calculates credit differently by parish and may consider travel or overnight counts.
Can self-employed income be averaged?
Yes, courts commonly average self-employment income using 2 or 3 years of tax returns when monthly income varies. Include Schedule C profit figures and adjust for reasonable business expenses when calculating monthly gross.
How are employer-paid health premiums treated?
Employer-paid child-only premiums may count as a credit or as an expense to be shared, depending on the order language. List the total premium and employer contribution on Worksheet B and prorate the remainder by income share.
When can support be modified?
A modification requires a material change in circumstances since the order, such as a 15% income change, job loss, or custody change. File a petition in the original court and attach pay stubs, tax returns, or custody orders to support the claim.
What enforcement steps work fastest?
Income withholding through the employer and parish administrative enforcement usually produce the quickest results for regular payments. Tax refund intercepts and liens take longer but collect arrears when available.
How to model split custody with multiple children?
Model each child separately, treating each child's time and costs as distinct, then sum obligations. For example, when each parent has primary care of one child, compute support for each child based on the parent's income share and apply add-ons by child.
Actionable next steps
Prepare a corrected Worksheet A/B now using two months of pay stubs and your last filed tax return. Run three scenarios: no parenting-time credit, estimated parish credit, and a 50/50 shared custody split. File the worksheet with the court or email it to the other party when negotiating.
DRAFT: Anonymous example ledger to attach to a petition
Ledger for payments
Date Amount Purpose Applied to
2025-03-05 $400 Monthly support Principal: $400
2025-04-05 $200 Partial payment Principal: $200
2025-05-05 $100 Health premium Health: $100
Total principal paid: $600
Total health paid: $100
Legal deadline: check local parish filing rules. Many parishes require service and filing within 30 days of the proposed hearing date for modification petitions. Use the parish clerk's office for exact deadlines.
