Shreveport Spousal Support Attorney

Achieving a Fair Alimony Agreement for Both Parties

Spousal support, also known as alimony, is a court-ordered payment that one spouse makes to the other after a divorce. The purpose of spousal support is to help the receiving spouse maintain the same standard of living that they experienced during the marriage. The court will consider a variety of factors when determining whether to award spousal support and, if so, how much and for how long.

At Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney at Law, we understand how crucial spousal support is to your financial future. With more than 25 years of family law experience, our Shreveport spousal support lawyer can help you understand your rights and options and work to protect your interests throughout the legal process.

Call (318) 633-0186 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our spousal support attorneys in Shreveport.

What is Alimony?

Alimony, or spousal support, is a court-ordered financial payment from one spouse to another during or after a divorce. The purpose of alimony is to minimize the economic impact of a separation by providing ongoing income to a spouse who may be financially disadvantaged or unable to fully support themselves immediately after divorce.

In Louisiana, spousal support falls into two main categories:

• Interim Spousal Support – Temporary support provided while the divorce is pending.
• Final Spousal Support – Longer-term financial assistance awarded after the divorce is finalized.

Alimony is not automatic and must be requested. Courts consider a variety of factors before deciding whether to award support and how much should be paid.

It's important to note that Louisiana law also allows for lump-sum support or rehabilitative support in some cases, particularly when one spouse needs time and resources to gain employment or complete education or training.

How to Determine Alimony

Unlike child support, which has a strict formula, spousal support in Louisiana is determined based on a range of factors. A judge will look at the overall financial situation and specific details of each spouse's needs and abilities.

Some of the factors the court will consider include:

• The length of the marriage
• The age and health of each spouse
• The earning capacity of each spouse
• The financial needs of each spouse
• The standard of living during the marriage
• The education and training of each spouse
• The contributions of each spouse to the marriage
• The tax consequences of spousal support
• Whether one spouse committed adultery

To qualify for final spousal support, the receiving spouse must be free from fault in the breakup of the marriage. This aspect of Louisiana spousal support law makes legal representation even more important, as proving or defending against allegations of fault can be complex.

At Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney at Law, we will work diligently to build a strong case on your behalf—whether you're seeking support or challenging a request for it.

Interim vs. Final Spousal Support: Key Differences

While the page already introduces interim and final support, it's worth clarifying how differently the two are actually evaluated by Louisiana courts, since this distinction often confuses clients early in the divorce process:

• Interim spousal support is based primarily on need and ability to pay. Fault is generally not a bar to receiving interim support, meaning even a spouse who may later be found at fault in the divorce can often still receive support while the case is pending.
• Final spousal support, by contrast, requires the requesting spouse to prove they were not at fault in causing the dissolution of the marriage — a significantly higher bar.
• Interim support typically ends once a final divorce judgment is issued (or after 180 days from that judgment, whichever applies), while final support can continue for a period the court deems appropriate, or in limited cases, permanently.

Because the standards differ so much between the two phases, it's common for a spouse's support situation to change meaningfully once the divorce is finalized — which is why ongoing legal guidance through both phases matters.

How Fault Affects Your Right to Spousal Support

Louisiana is one of the few states where fault still plays a central role in determining eligibility for final spousal support. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 111, a spouse seeking final support must show they did not commit legal fault contributing to the divorce — which can include:

• Adultery
• Habitual intemperance or excesses (such as substance abuse)
• Cruel treatment or outrages that make living together insupportable
• Abandonment
• Conviction of a felony

Because fault can completely eliminate a spouse's right to final support, these allegations are often among the most contested issues in a divorce. Our firm handles both sides of this equation — helping clients pursuing support build the evidentiary record needed to establish freedom from fault, and helping clients accused of fault mount an effective defense against those allegations.

Modifying or Terminating Spousal Support

Spousal support orders aren't necessarily permanent. Louisiana law allows either spouse to request a modification when circumstances materially change. Common triggers for a modification request include:

• A significant increase or decrease in either spouse's income
• Involuntary job loss or a change in employment status
• Retirement
• Remarriage or cohabitation of the receiving spouse (which typically terminates support automatically)
• Serious illness or disability affecting either spouse's finances

To modify support, the requesting spouse generally must file a motion with the court and demonstrate that the change in circumstances is substantial and was not anticipated at the time the original order was issued. Our attorneys handle both petitions to modify support and defense against modification requests filed by a former spouse.

Spousal Support for Self-Employed or High-Asset Spouses

Determining a fair support amount becomes more complex when one or both spouses are self-employed, own a business, or have income that isn't reflected on a simple pay stub. In these situations, courts may need to look beyond reported income to determine a spouse's true earning capacity, including:

• Business income versus personal draw
• Deferred compensation, bonuses, or stock options
• Assets that generate passive income
• Historical income trends versus a temporarily reduced current income

These cases often benefit from financial documentation review and, in some cases, expert input to ensure support calculations reflect a spouse's actual financial picture — not just what appears on a recent tax return.

Spousal Support Cases in Caddo and Bossier Parish Courts

Spousal support determinations are handled in Louisiana's district courts, and procedures — including how interim hearings are scheduled and how support motions are handled — can vary somewhat by jurisdiction. With 25 years of family law experience throughout Northwest Louisiana, our firm is familiar with the practices of the local courts handling divorce and support matters in Caddo Parish, Bossier Parish, and the surrounding area, which can help move your case forward efficiently and avoid unnecessary delays.

Spousal Support FAQs

Who qualifies for spousal support in Louisiana?

To qualify for support, a spouse must demonstrate a financial need and show that they are not primarily at fault for the breakdown of the marriage. Fault could include adultery, abuse, or abandonment.

How long does spousal support last?

The duration of alimony depends on the circumstances. Interim support typically ends when the divorce is finalized, while final support may last for several years or until the receiving spouse becomes financially independent. It can also end upon remarriage, cohabitation, or death.

Can spousal support be modified or terminated?

Yes. Final spousal support can be modified or terminated if either spouse experiences a significant change in circumstances, such as loss of income, job change, or remarriage.

Is spousal support taxable in Louisiana?

For divorces finalized after January 1, 2019, spousal support payments are no longer taxable to the recipient or tax-deductible by the payer for federal tax purposes, though state tax treatment may vary.

What happens if my ex-spouse stops paying alimony?

If your former spouse fails to make court-ordered spousal support payments, you can file a motion for enforcement with the court. This may result in wage garnishment, contempt charges, or other penalties.

Why Work With an Attorney on Spousal Support

Spousal support cases involve a mix of financial analysis and legal argument that can be difficult to navigate without experienced representation, particularly because:

• Support determinations are highly discretionary, and outcomes can vary significantly based on how effectively each side presents evidence
• Fault allegations can eliminate a spouse's right to final support entirely if not properly defended against
• Support orders interact with property division, tax considerations, and — in many cases — child support obligations
• Modification and enforcement actions require specific legal procedures to be effective

At Ryan E. Gatti, Attorney at Law, our team has represented both spouses seeking support and spouses defending against support claims, giving us a well-rounded understanding of how these cases are argued from every angle.

Contact Our Shreveport Spousal Support Lawyers for Guidance

Our firm is committed to providing our clients with the compassionate and effective legal representation they deserve. Our spousal support lawyers in Shreveport can help you navigate the legal process and work to protect your interests. We serve clients across Northwest Louisiana, including those in Shreveport, Bossier City, and Bossier Parish.

Call (318) 633-0186 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.