Alimony · Louisiana · Caps or time limits
Alimony in Louisiana
Louisiana courts may award interim spousal support while a divorce is pending and final periodic support to a spouse who is in need and was not at fault before the divorce filing, weighing nine listed factors. Final periodic support generally may not exceed one-third of the paying spouse’s net income, and interim support generally ends 180 days after the divorce judgment.[1]
Key facts: spousal support in Louisiana
| How the law sets it | Caps or time limits[1] |
|---|---|
| Key rule | Final support: up to one-third of the payor’s net income[1] |
| Law last checked | October 26, 2026 |
The key limit
Final support: up to one-third of the payor’s net income[1]
Louisiana law sets limits but no formula for the amount, so there's nothing to calculate: the court decides within them.
From the official text
What Louisiana law says about spousal support
Plain-English summaries of Louisiana’s statute and court rules as of the date shown on each, with the quoted text. Not legal advice: laws change and courts apply them case by case.
The statute
La. Civ. Code art. 112
The main spousal support statute: the court weighs 9 listed factors.[1]
La. Civ. Code art. 112 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“When a spouse has not been at fault prior to the filing of a petition for divorce and is in need of support, based on the needs of that party and the ability of the other party to pay, that spouse may be awarded final periodic support in accordance with Paragraph B of this Article.”
Amount cap
Final support: up to one-third of the payor’s net income
Final periodic support may not exceed one-third of the paying spouse’s net income, except in cases involving domestic abuse (or divorces under art. 103(4) or (5)), where it may exceed that and be paid as a lump sum.[1]
La. Civ. Code art. 112(D) · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“The sum awarded under this Article shall not exceed one-third of the obligor's net income.”
While the case is pending
Interim support ends 180 days after the divorce judgment
Interim spousal support, based on need, ability to pay and the marital standard of living, ends 180 days after the divorce judgment unless extended for good cause.[2]
La. Civ. Code art. 113 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“An award of interim spousal support shall terminate one hundred eighty days from the rendition of a judgment of divorce, except that the award may extend beyond one hundred eighty days but only for good cause shown.”
When it applies
Final support only for a spouse free from fault
Final periodic support may go only to a party who is in need and was free from fault before the divorce proceeding was filed.[3]
La. Civ. Code art. 111 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“may award final periodic support to a party who is in need of support and who is free from fault prior to the filing of a proceeding to terminate the marriage”
Changing an order
Modifiable on a material change
Interim or final support may be modified if either party’s circumstances materially change and ends if it becomes unnecessary; the payor’s remarriage is not a change of circumstance.[4]
La. Civ. Code art. 114 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“An award of interim spousal support or final periodic support may be modified if the circumstances of either party materially change and shall be terminated if it has become unnecessary.”
When it ends
Claim must be made within 3 years
The right to claim spousal support after divorce is perempted after three years, generally counted from the divorce judgment.[5]
La. Civ. Code art. 117 · checked October 26, 2026
Show statute text
“The right to claim after divorce the obligation of spousal support is subject to a peremption of three years.”
Divorce in Louisiana: waiting period, residency and property rules →
Questions about alimony in Louisiana
Is there an alimony calculator for Louisiana?
No. Louisiana law doesn't set alimony by formula: louisiana courts may award interim spousal support while a divorce is pending and final periodic support to a spouse who is in need and was not at fault before the divorce filing, weighing nine listed factors. Final periodic support generally may not exceed one-third of the paying spouse’s net income, and interim support generally ends 180 days after the divorce judgment. — La. Civ. Code art. 112[1]
Is there a limit on alimony in Louisiana?
Final periodic support may not exceed one-third of the paying spouse’s net income, except in cases involving domestic abuse (or divorces under art. 103(4) or (5)), where it may exceed that and be paid as a lump sum. — La. Civ. Code art. 112(D)[1]
When does alimony end in Louisiana?
The right to claim spousal support after divorce is perempted after three years, generally counted from the divorce judgment. — La. Civ. Code art. 117[5]
States with an alimony formula
Not legal advice. MediationList is a directory of court-listed mediators, not a law firm, and doesn’t endorse any mediator. Summaries follow the official text as of the date checked; courts apply it case by case.
Sources
Louisiana’s statute and court rules, read on the official site, with the date we checked each.