Legal Question in Family Law in Louisiana

The mother of my child(who is 4 yrs old) filed for child support at local state office back in August 2009. We went to a hearing and hearing officer suggested a judgement. I am the father. I did not think the recommendation was fair (they didn't use W2's, income tax, pay stubs and included daycare expenses the mother pays her mom to watch child at her house). I appealed the decision and another court hearing before a judge is set for March 3rd. I want to know if I can go to the child support agency and put the mother on support. We have joint custody but she is custodial parent. I make $20,ooo/year. She makes $48,ooo/year. I don't mind paying my fair share of child support, but think the hearing officer's suggestion of $678/month was excessive. Please advise me as what to do?


Asked on 12/21/10, 5:31 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Martha Amanda Mandi Lucas Mandie Seale Lucas

Child support is calculated on the gross income of both parents and is adjusted to take into account extraordinary expenses. All of the information is plugged into a form mandated by law and the total expense of the child is calculated. Each parent is assigned a percentage of the support based on their income. The amount owed to the custodial parent is then obtained from the table drawn by the legislature. There is no guesswork and income must be verified from wage documentation. You should be able to obtain a copy of the calculation form from the record.

Read more
Answered on 12/27/10, 5:24 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption questions and answers in Louisiana