Louisiana Alimony & Spousal Support (2026)
Unlike child support, Louisiana has no fixed formula for how much alimony (spousal support) costs or how long it lasts. A judge decides both based on a list of factors set out in La. Civ. Code art. 112. There is no calculator that can honestly give you an exact number here — but the factors below are what actually drives the decision.
What determines alimony in Louisiana
Under La. Civ. Code art. 112 (Louisiana Civil Code Article 112 (Determination of final periodic support)), a court considers:
- The income and means of the parties, including the liquidity of such means
- The financial obligations of the parties, including any interim allowance or final child support obligation
- The earning capacity of the parties
- The effect of custody of a child on a party's earning capacity
- The time necessary for the party seeking support to acquire appropriate education, training, or employment
- The health and age of the parties
- The duration of the marriage
- The tax consequences to either party
- The existence, effect, and duration of any domestic abuse committed by one party against the other or against a child of the parties
Good to know
- Louisiana is the one 'discretionary' state with a real statutory ceiling: Article 112 caps final periodic support at no more than one-third of the paying spouse's net income. This is a maximum, not a formula — the actual amount within that ceiling is still set entirely at the court's discretion by weighing the factors above.
- The one-third ceiling does not apply, and support may exceed it (including as a lump sum), when the divorce was granted based on the parties living separately for the required period after a finding of fault under Article 103(4) or (5), or when the court finds domestic abuse by the payor.
- Louisiana has no statutory formula or cap on the duration of final periodic support — the statute lists duration of the marriage only as one input factor, not an output rule. (Final periodic support is also distinct from interim spousal support under Article 113, which is temporary support during the divorce proceeding itself.)
Also need a child support estimate?
Alimony and child support are calculated completely separately in Louisiana. If you also have children, use our free Louisiana child support calculator — that one does compute a real number, based on the official guideline formula.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an alimony formula in Louisiana?
No. Louisiana Civil Code art. 112 lists factors for the court to weigh, and it caps final periodic support at one-third of the paying spouse's net income in most cases — but that cap is a ceiling, not a formula. The actual amount awarded below that ceiling, and how long it lasts, is entirely up to the judge.
What factors determine alimony in Louisiana?
Louisiana courts weigh each spouse's income and means, financial obligations, earning capacity, the effect of child custody on earning capacity, time needed for education or training, health and age, the duration of the marriage, tax consequences, and any domestic abuse, under La. Civ. Code art. 112.
Source: Louisiana Civil Code Article 112 (Determination of final periodic support) · Last verified 2026-07-22
Disclaimer: This page explains the general legal framework for alimony in Louisiana and is for informational purposes only — it is not legal advice and does not predict the outcome of any specific case. Laws change; always verify with the official source above or a family law attorney licensed in Louisiana before making decisions.