How Long Does Spousal Support Last in Louisiana?
Last reviewed: March 2026
Louisiana uses judicial discretion to determine spousal support duration. Court discretion. Permanent periodic support available for need-based claims.
How Louisiana determines spousal support duration
Louisiana is a community property state. Louisiana refers to spousal support as “spousal support”. Louisiana does not have a statutory formula for spousal support duration. Judges have broad discretion to determine both the amount and length of spousal support based on the specific circumstances of each case.
Final periodic support cannot exceed one-third of obligor net income.
Estimated spousal support duration by marriage length
The table below shows estimated maximum spousal support duration for different marriage lengths in Louisiana. These are rough estimates based on common judicial patterns, not statutory requirements. Actual duration may vary significantly.
| Marriage length | Est. max spousal support duration |
|---|---|
| 5 years | 1.7 years |
| 10 years | 3.3 years |
| 15 years | 5 years |
| 20 years | 6.6 years |
| 25 years | 8.3 years |
Important: Louisiana does not have a statutory formula for spousal support duration. The estimates above are based on common judicial patterns and should be used as rough guidelines only. The court will consider your specific circumstances including income disparity, earning capacity, health, age, and standard of living during the marriage.
When does spousal support end in Louisiana?
Spousal Support in Louisiana typically ends when:
- The court-ordered term expires
- The recipient spouse remarries
- Either party dies
- A court modifies or terminates the order due to a significant change in circumstances
In some cases, cohabitation with a new partner may also be grounds for modification or termination of spousal support in Louisiana.
Is spousal support taxable in Louisiana?
For divorce agreements finalized after December 31, 2018, spousal support is not deductible by the payer and not taxable to the recipient under federal tax law (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act). This applies in Louisiana and all other states.
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