There are basic guidelines used in Louisiana that take into consideration the parties incomes in determining the amount of support. These amounts can be calculated and resolved in a law office without the parties ever going to court.

When parties separate, the party earning less income than the other can seek this from the party earning more income. The purpose is to maintain the parties in the financial situation they enjoy, as carefully as possible prior to the separation. A fault is not an issue, and Temporary Spousal Support can continue for up to 6 months after the divorce is final.

Permanent Spousal Support, which can run for life or for a term, requires that the party with less income, not only prove that they are free from fault, but that they have developed a dependency on the other spouse’s income and cannot provide for themselves, unless paid a certain sum by the other spouse.