The guidelines are mandatory and give rise to a rebuttable presumption that the amount calculated under them is the proper amount for a child support award.1 Courts may deviate from the guidelines if their application would not be in the children’s best interest or would be inequitable to the parties.2 The specific reasons for the deviation, as well as the amount required under a mechanical application of the guidelines, must be stated. La. R.S. 315.1(C) provides examples of some of the common reasons for a deviation, including many of the issues discussed above.