Quick answer: Louisiana directs that physical custody in a joint custody decree be shared equally unless the court finds that is not feasible or not in the child’s best interest. For child support, “shared custody” means approximately equal time, with no fixed overnight line, and the worksheet uses each parent’s actual percentage of the child’s time.
This Louisiana parenting time calculator turns a schedule into overnights a year and percentages, and shows how far the schedule is from an equal split under R.S. 9:335. Enter the overnights in a 14-day cycle and any extra nights: the result is arithmetic, and the court decides custody and support.
Louisiana parenting time and custody rules at a glance
| Rule | What Louisiana says |
|---|---|
| Joint custody implementation order | The court renders an implementation order that allocates the time each parent has physical custody so the child has frequent and continuing contact with both (R.S. 9:335(A)(1)-(2)) |
| Equal sharing | Physical custody is to be shared equally unless the court determines it is not feasible or not in the child’s best interest (9:335(A)(2)(b), as amended by Act 605) |
| Domiciliary parent | The court designates one unless the implementation order says otherwise or for good cause; the domiciliary parent is the one with whom the child primarily resides (9:335(B)) |
| Shared custody for support | Each parent has physical custody for an approximately equal amount of time; no overnight number is stated (R.S. 9:315.9) |
| Worksheet B | Basic obligation times 1.5, split by income, then each parent’s share is multiplied by the actual percentage of time with the other parent (9:315.9(A)(2)-(3)) |
| Moving | Written notice 60 days before a relocation of the child’s principal residence, with 30 days to object (R.S. 9:355.5) |
How do custody and parenting time work in Louisiana?
- Joint or sole custody. See joint versus sole custody in Louisiana.
- Schedules. See parenting time schedules in Louisiana.
- Moving with a child. See moving away with a child in Louisiana.
What does this parenting time calculator check?
You enter the overnights the other parent has in a typical 14-day cycle and any extra overnights a year, such as summer and holidays. The calculator scales the cycle to 365 nights, adds the extras, and shows each parent’s overnights and percentage and the distance from an equal split of 182.5 nights. It does not calculate child support: use the Louisiana child support calculator for that, and the Louisiana divorce timeline calculator for the dates of the case.
Frequently asked questions
Does Louisiana presume equal parenting time?
The joint custody statute says physical custody is to be shared equally unless the court determines it is not feasible or not in the child’s best interest.
How many overnights is shared custody in Louisiana?
The child support statute defines shared custody as approximately equal time and names no overnight number.
Does shared time change Louisiana child support?
Yes. In shared custody the basic obligation is multiplied by 1.5 and each parent’s share is multiplied by the actual percentage of time with the other parent.
Who is the domiciliary parent in Louisiana?
The parent with whom the child primarily resides under a joint custody decree, designated by the court unless an implementation order says otherwise.
Does this Louisiana calculator set child support?
No. It counts overnights and percentages; the Louisiana child support calculator estimates the guideline amount.
Official sources
- La. R.S. 9:335: joint custody decree and implementation order
- Louisiana Act 605: R.S. 9:335(A)(2)(b), equal sharing of physical custody
- La. R.S. 9:315.9: effect of shared custodial arrangement
- La. R.S. 9:355.5: mailing notice of proposed relocation address
- Louisiana relocation statutes, R.S. 9:355.1 to 9:355.20