Louisiana Divorce with Children
Everything you need to know about divorce with children in Louisiana — custody types, child support guidelines, parenting plans, and protecting your children through the process. Updated for 2026.
Types of Custody in Louisiana
Legal Custody
The right to make major decisions about your child's education, healthcare, religion, and welfare.
Physical Custody
Determines where the child lives on a day-to-day basis and the parenting time schedule.
"Best Interests of the Child" Factors
Louisiana courts consider multiple factors when determining custody arrangements:
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Divorce.ai helps you build a comprehensive parenting plan that meets Louisiana court requirements.
Child Support in Louisiana
Louisiana uses the Income Shares Model under La. R.S. 9:315 through 9:315.47. Both parents' adjusted gross incomes are combined and a basic child support obligation is determined from the statutory schedule in La. R.S. 9:315.19. The obligation is divided between parents in proportion to their respective incomes. The combined income cap is $40,000 per month; above this, the court sets support on a case-by-case basis. Two worksheets exist: Worksheet A for sole/joint custody and Worksheet B for shared custody (uses a 1.5x multiplier). Adjustments are made for health insurance, childcare, extraordinary medical expenses, and pre-existing support obligations.
Official Louisiana child support calculator →Factors Considered
Additional Forms Required (Children)
| Form | Name |
|---|---|
| Child Support Worksheet A/B | Louisiana Child Support Obligation Worksheet |
Mandatory Parenting Course
Louisiana requires both parents to complete a parenting education course when filing for divorce with minor children.
Under Louisiana law, courts may order both parties to attend a court-approved parenting education seminar when minor children are involved. Many judicial districts have standing orders requiring completion of a parenting course to inform parents about the effects of divorce on children. The seminar is typically 4 to 6 hours and may be completed online or in person. Both parents must complete the course before the divorce can be finalized.
Typical cost: $50
Protect your children through the process
Divorce.ai helps you create a child-focused parenting plan and prepares all custody-related Louisiana forms.
What Goes in a Parenting Plan?
A comprehensive parenting plan should cover:
Regular Parenting Schedule
Week-by-week schedule of where the child lives and when transitions occur.
Holiday & Vacation Schedule
How holidays, school breaks, and vacation time are divided between parents.
Decision-Making Authority
Who makes decisions about education, healthcare, extracurriculars, and religious upbringing.
Communication Rules
How the child communicates with the non-custodial parent (phone, video calls, etc.).
Transportation & Exchange
Who handles pickups/dropoffs and where exchanges occur.
Dispute Resolution
How disagreements about the parenting plan will be resolved (mediation first, then court).
Relocation Rules
Notice requirements and procedure if either parent wants to move.
Tips for Protecting Your Children During Divorce
Never speak negatively about the other parent in front of your children. It puts them in the middle and can harm your custody case.
Maintain routines. Keep school, activities, and daily routines as consistent as possible during the transition.
Communicate openly with your children in age-appropriate ways. Let them know the divorce is not their fault.
Consider counseling. A child therapist can help children process their emotions during this time.