Louisiana Alimony Calculator
Estimate spousal support and how long it lasts under La. Civ. Code art. 112. Enter your numbers below for an instant estimate with a step-by-step breakdown and statute citations.
Louisiana Alimony Calculator
This state caps maintenance at a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of the payor’s income, whichever is lower.
Based on La. Civ. Code art. 112 · Verified June 1, 2026
Enter income details to see your estimate
Eligibility: Claimant must be free from fault (in the breakup) prior to filing and must show need. A spouse who obtained the divorce on fault grounds under Art. 103(2)-(5), or who (or whose child) was a victim of domestic abuse by the other spouse during the marriage, is presumed entitled to final periodic support.
Factors Louisiana Courts Weigh
- •Income and means of the parties, including the liquidity of those means
- •Financial obligations of the parties, including any interim allowance or final child support obligation
- •Earning capacity of the parties
- •Effect of custody of children on a party's earning capacity
- •Time necessary for the claimant to acquire appropriate education, training, or employment
- •Health and age of the parties
- •Duration of the marriage
- •Tax consequences to either or both parties
- •Existence, effect, and duration of any act of domestic abuse committed by the other spouse upon the claimant or a child of one of the spouses
How Louisiana Alimony Works
- •Louisiana runs a two-stage system: interim spousal support (Art. 113) during the divorce, then final periodic support (Art. 112) after. Interim support keeps the marital standard of living; final support addresses demonstrated need.
- •There is NO percentage formula for the base amount. The court fixes the amount on need and ability to pay; the only numeric rule is the Art. 112(D) ceiling of one-third of the obligor's NET income.
- •The one-third cap can be EXCEEDED (and a lump sum allowed) where divorce was granted on certain fault grounds (Art. 103(4)/(5)) or where domestic abuse by the obligor is found.
- •Final support requires the claimant to be free from pre-filing fault and in need; a spouse who divorces on fault/abuse grounds is presumed entitled.
- •Interim support automatically terminates 180 days after the divorce judgment unless extended for good cause; this is a deadline, not a duration formula for final support.
- •Louisiana is a community-property state; property is partitioned separately and the support award is need-and-cap driven, not income-share driven.
This is an estimate for educational purposes only, not legal advice. Alimony is highly discretionary; a Louisiana judge can order a different amount or duration. Consult a licensed Louisiana family-law attorney about your situation. See the official Louisiana resource.
How Louisiana Calculates Alimony
Louisiana addresses spousal support under La. Civ. Code art. 112. It caps maintenance at a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of the payor's net income, whichever is lower. The calculator applies that cap to your figures.
Unlike child support, alimony is one of the most discretionary areas of family law. Even in states with a guideline equation, the figure is a starting point a judge can adjust after weighing the statutory factors, the length of the marriage, and each spouse's needs and ability to pay. Treat any number here as an informed estimate, not a guaranteed award.
Key Rules in Louisiana
- Louisiana runs a two-stage system: interim spousal support (Art. 113) during the divorce, then final periodic support (Art. 112) after. Interim support keeps the marital standard of living; final support addresses demonstrated need.
- There is NO percentage formula for the base amount. The court fixes the amount on need and ability to pay; the only numeric rule is the Art. 112(D) ceiling of one-third of the obligor's NET income.
- The one-third cap can be EXCEEDED (and a lump sum allowed) where divorce was granted on certain fault grounds (Art. 103(4)/(5)) or where domestic abuse by the obligor is found.
- Final support requires the claimant to be free from pre-filing fault and in need; a spouse who divorces on fault/abuse grounds is presumed entitled.
- Interim support automatically terminates 180 days after the divorce judgment unless extended for good cause; this is a deadline, not a duration formula for final support.
- Louisiana is a community-property state; property is partitioned separately and the support award is need-and-cap driven, not income-share driven.
How Long Alimony Lasts in Louisiana
No statutory duration formula. The court sets the amount AND duration of final periodic support based on the Art. 112(B) factors (including marriage length, age/health, and time needed to retrain). Awards may be open-ended/modifiable; there is no statutory multiplier or percent-of-marriage rule. (Interim support under Art. 113 ends 180 days after the divorce judgment absent good cause, but that is a separate interim award, not final-support duration.)
What Counts as Income
Louisiana's formula runs on each spouse’s net income — gross pay minus taxes and mandatory deductions. Courts can also impute income to a spouse who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, meaning support can be based on what a spouse could earn rather than what they currently do. Use your most recent pay stubs and tax return for the most accurate estimate.
Eligibility & Modifying an Order
Claimant must be free from fault (in the breakup) prior to filing and must show need. A spouse who obtained the divorce on fault grounds under Art. 103(2)-(5), or who (or whose child) was a victim of domestic abuse by the other spouse during the marriage, is presumed entitled to final periodic support.
Alimony orders can usually be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances — for example, a significant change in either spouse's income, the recipient's remarriage or cohabitation, retirement, or the payor's loss of employment. The specific rules and any non-modifiable agreements depend on your court order and Louisiana law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Louisiana alimony calculator accurate?
It applies the Louisiana guideline from La. Civ. Code art. 112 to the numbers you enter, so it gives a close estimate of a typical guideline award. It is not an official court calculation — a judge can order a different amount after weighing the statutory factors.
Is alimony taxable in Louisiana?
For divorces finalized after December 31, 2018, alimony is not deductible by the payor and is not taxable income to the recipient under federal law. Most states follow the federal treatment, but check Louisiana's current rules for state income tax.
Does cheating affect alimony in Louisiana?
It depends on the state. Some states let courts consider marital misconduct among the alimony factors, while others bar it entirely. Review La. Civ. Code art. 112 and speak with a Louisiana attorney about how fault is treated where you live.
Can alimony be changed later?
Usually yes. Alimony can often be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances — such as a large change in income, the recipient's remarriage or cohabitation, or the payor's retirement — unless your order or agreement makes it non-modifiable.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Alimony is highly fact-specific and discretionary; the amount and duration a Louisiana court actually orders may differ significantly from any estimate here. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed Louisiana family-law attorney.
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