CHILD SUPPORT
You Owe It To Your Kids
The obligation to support one's children is a fundamental human obligation. Children have a specific legal right to child support.

The District Attorney's Office, Child Support Enforcement, is committed to vigorously enforcing children's legal right to child support.

Child support pays food, clothing, and housing for children. It also provides other benefits. Establishment of paternity provides emotional security for the children, as well as providing entitlement to certain Social Security, pension, and health insurance benefits.

Receipt of child support benefits may enable a welfare recipient to leave the welfare system or a non-welfare recipient to remain off welfare. In this way, the program not only assists children and parents, it saves tax dollars.

The overall goal of Child Support Enforcement is to enforce the laws in this most important area and provide excellent service to the public.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
The District Attorney Child Support Enforcement Office is responsible for ensuring that children and custodial parents receive the court-ordered financial support to which they are entitled.
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HOW CAN YOU GET HELP?
Any Parent may request the help of the District Attorney in obtaining child support. Child support may be established in court and enforced even if the parents are not legally separated or divorced or were never married. The program is available to children and custodial parents whether or not they are receiving welfare.

Help is obtained by contacting the office in your area or by calling our general information number (504)447-0952.
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HOW IS SUPPORT COLLECTED?
Child support is collected in many ways, including wage assignments, garnishments, levies on property and interception of state and federal income tax refunds, state disability and unemployment insurance benefits, and lottery winnings.
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HOW ARE WELFARE CASES HANDLED?
Parents who receive welfare assign their child support rights to the State. The support collected reimburses the taxpayers.
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HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Your help regarding the absent parent will assist us in obtaining and enforcing court orders. The following information is useful: Social Security number, last known address, last known employer, driver's license number, vehicle licence number, birth date, and physical description. All information is confidential.
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HOW DO WE ENFORCE YOUR CASE?
Child support orders are enforced in both civil and criminal courts. Most cases are civil; however, violations of child support court orders can be punishable by fines and jail sentences.
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WHAT HELP IS PROVIDED?
  • Absent Parents are located.
  • Paternity is established.
  • Court orders are obtained and enforced against absent parents in Louisiana, other states, and certain foreign countries.
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