What is Child Support And When Does It Occur In Louisiana?

Child support in Louisiana is part of the welfare stipulations for children involved in the legal process of a divorce, separation, or annulment. It is a financial responsibility of divorcing parties imposed by state laws to ensure the child does not suffer neglect because of the parents’ decision to part ways.

Records that are considered public may also be accessible from some third-party websites. Aggregate sites are generally a convenient alternative for inquirers searching for multiple records across several US districts. To search these databases, however, users are typically expected to provide:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved. This includes information such as the city, county, or state in which the person resides or was accused

Third-party sites are operated independently of government sources. Consequently, the validity and accuracy of the information provided by these sites may not be guaranteed.

What is Louisiana Child Support?

According to the Louisiana legislature, child support is a parent’s obligation to support a child in at least three ways: emotional, financial, and medical. The Department of Children and Family Services plays a significant role in ensuring that concerned parties fulfill these obligations.

What Does Child Support Cover in Louisiana?

The child support payments formula in Louisiana covers the expenses of food, accommodation, education, clothing, and other essential activities. These costs may not cover non-essential extracurricular activities, private health insurance, and special needs that amount to extravagant living.

What Is The Average Child Support Payment in Louisiana?

According to the state's stipulations, a child should be comfortable with $1000 monthly, which brings costs to $12,000 a year. After combined income calculations, non-custodial parents may have a 66.6% share of this allocation, while the custodial parent sponsors the balance. The custodial parent typically spends over 50% of the parenting time with the child. In Louisiana, the custodial parent gets compensated for the time by bearing only a third of the financial support required.

How Do I Apply for Child Support in Louisiana?

The Department of Child and Family Services in Louisiana (DCFS) has the sole responsibility of managing child support payments in the state. The starting point for applying for child support services depends on the circumstances surrounding the arrangement. If the non-custodial parent is compliant, applications are easier and straightforward. If there is a need to locate the non-custodial parent, the agency may assist by partnering with the Federal Parent Locator Service. This federal initiative provides information about the social security status of citizens and pension schemes for veterans. Louisiana also partners with the Electronic Parent Locator Network (EPLN), a database from a consortium of 18 US states. Should it be necessary to enforce the obligation, the Child Support Enforcement Locator Services may assist in the process, at a fee. It is $10 if the social security number of the non-custodial parent is available, and $14 if it is unavailable.

If there is a paternity dispute, the agency typically helps establish it through affidavit documents, court processes, and genetic testing.

If it is a question of how the child support is paid, the agency works in line with the award guidelines for child support and with the court to calculate how much the non-custodial parents may be required to pay. Visit the nearest agency office to the child’s county of residence to begin the process. Use the 'Find an Office' link to locate the relevant address. Be clear about the reason for the visit to obtain the appropriate paperwork. Follow the instructions provided for each type of case. Processed applications initiate a collection and distribution of payments by the payor to the custodial parent, respectively. The agency's Centralized Collection Unit carries out this task. Payments usually get posted a day after they come in. Below is the address of the unit:

Centralized Collection Unit
P. O. Box 260222
Baton Rouge, LA 70826

Note that there are private collection agencies that help custodial parents collect child support. The custodial parent usually decides where to collect payments. However, this may not stop them from getting assistance in support enforcement from the state.

How Do I Get Out of Paying Child Support in Louisiana?

Getting out of child support may not be a simple process in Louisiana unless the child reaches the age of 18 years, and there is no court-approved basis for extension. Reasons for extension generally include:

• The child is unmarried
• The child is a full-time student
• There are developmental disabilities. Here, payments stop at age 22.

The inquirer/petitioner may request modification after showing through evidence that there is a downward material shift between the time of the award and the request for modification. According to state law (La Rev Stat 9:31(e), the court is required to approve the modification before the asking party can effect the changes. Otherwise, the requester may be found liable for failure in compliance.

What is Back Child Support in Louisiana?

Back child support refers to unpaid child support arrears by the non-custodial parent. The Department of Social Services in Louisiana maintains a list of defaulters of this type as delinquent payors. The agency also assesses the degree of severity for each case. The most wanted category is payors who have not paid in the last six months and owe up to $10,000 in arrears payments. The agency typically publishes its names and addresses on its website.

How Do I Get Back Child Support Paid in Louisiana?

The DCFS agency may assist custodial parents in enforcing payments in the following ways:

• Interception of state and federal tax refunds
• Suspension of occupational or professional licenses
• Passport denials
• Motor vehicle registration suspension
• Assignment of incomes
• Contempt of court hearings leading to heavy fines and incarceration for up to 6 months

Is There A Louisiana Statute of Limitations on Child Support?

The Louisiana statute of limitations for back child support is 10 years from the age of majority (Revised Statutes 13:4291; LA Civil Code Article 3501.1). There is no statute of limitations imposed on paternity establishment. However, under the state laws, the child's paternity should be established within one year after the death of the supposed father.