How Iowa Child Support is calculated
First it’s calculated by using the child support guidelines that are set by the Iowa Supreme Court and we first look at each parent’s gross income. That would be income before any taxes or any other deductions. Then each parent is allowed certain deductions under the guidelines for items such as health insurance and education contributions.
Eventually the Court reaches a number called the net income for each parent. Those two net income numbers are added together to get a family net income.
A Divorce Court or Divorce Lawyer will then refer to the Iowa guideline chart which has a place for combines family net income and also a place for the number of children for child support. Where those two cells intersect will give an actual dollar number that dollar number then needs to be divided between the parents.
How is Iowa child support divided?
Iowa child support is divided based on the parents respective incomes. For example, if the parents have a combined family net income of $4000 and parent ‘A’ has $2500 and parent ‘B’ has $1500 you do the following simple math:
- $2500 / $4000 would be parent A’s contribution
- $1500 / $4000 would be parent B’s contribution
Health insurance and a few other things make the Iowa child support calculator a little more complex but basic the basic idea is that whatever that dollar number was in the chart you multiply by each parent’s perspective percentage and then you get their basic child support obligation.
Child support in Iowa and physical care
- If a parent has physical care they will receive child support from the parent who has visitation.
- If the parents have joint physical care child support is calculated as if one parent would pay to the other and then it’s run the other other way. Whoever has the higher child support obligation will pay the difference between the two calculations.
- So if one parent would pay $500 a month and the other liable to pay $300 a month then one parent would pay the other two hundred dollars a month, and then they would normally split other expenses for the children equally.
How is Iowa child support collected?
The first would be an income withholding order, where an order is sent to a person’s employer and they take it out of that person’s paycheck every time they get paid. It is then sent to the central agency with the state of Iowa before being sent to the person who should receive the child support payment.
Another method would be via check or cash directly to the Court in the Iowa county in which the judgment was entered. The clerk of court would process the payment and then send it on to the recipient.
Not paying child support in Iowa
If someone’s not paying child support then you could contact the Iowa local child support recovery unit to see what options they could give you but you could also contact a private lawyer and file a contempt action to try to collect.
Punishment for not paying child support in Iowa
- Contempt of court
- Seizure of assets
- Cancellation of drivers license
- Bank account seizure
- Criminal record
- Jail
Some parents attempt to use loopholes in Iowa Child Support proceedings, if this is you make sure you only pursue legal loopholes. some are illegal and can get you into serious trouble.
Iowa child support for parents with shared custody
When a custodial parent has custody of the child, the non-custodial parent makes child support payments in Iowa. In a relationship when parents share custody, the arrangements for which parent pays child support differs. When shared or joint custody is involved, the parent with the greater income most often makes child support payments.
The payments are only made to the parent with the lesser income at a rate that makes up the difference between the two. Some parents may believe that making more money is a punishment. This is not the case as the parent is simply paying for the child’s standard of living to be the same if the parents were still together.
Which parent gets custody of the child in Iowa?
There are a variety of factors that determine which parent gets custody of the child. Each factor is added up with the child’s best interest kept in mind when making a decision. Factors that go into which parent receives custody in Iowa are:
- Which parent has been the primary caregiver?
- Have parental duties been shared?
- Are there any medical, physical, or mental issues to exclude a parent from having custodial rights?
- Does the parent have any alcohol, drug, or physical abuse problems?
- Has the parent failed to build a relationship with the child?
Iowa child custody is determined by a set of guidelines. The guidelines are laid out by law and are binding. The guidelines recognize the duties and responsibilities of both the non-parent and custodial parents. The guidelines also keep the child’s best interests in mind. Iowa courts can alter child support based on the needs of a family or specific family situations.
What is joint custody in Iowa child support?
Joint custody occurs when both parents consult and attempt to resolve the parenting of the child after divorce. In joint custody, both parents can make decisions for the child. Joint custody in Iowa means that the parents share the parenting duties. Parents will have equal time with the child. In addition, the parents will have equal decision-making responsibilities. Parents can agree on the custodial time they have with the child and split it as they see fit.
What is sole custody for Iowa child support?
Unfortunately, a large number of divorces in Iowa end with parents having sole custody. A parent to with sole legal custody of the child has all of the decision-making responsibility. The responsibility extends past day to day care. Custodial parents with sole custody can make decisions regarding a variety of aspects including education, afterschool events, child care, doctor appointments, and much more.
Children in sole custody live in a primary residence with the custodial parent rather than splitting time 50/50 between the parents’ homes. The non-custodial parent is given visitation rights and must abide by the ruling of the court. Non-custodial parents with visitation rights must still adhere to the guidelines in the Iowa child support order.
Which parent receives custody in Iowa for child support?
Iowa courts are supposed to keep the child’s best interest in mind when selecting the custodial parent. However, the courts and judges can favor the mother. Traditionally, the mother is considered the primary caregiver. This is a gender bias that exists in Iowa as well as other states in the United States. The human element and gender bias can lead courts to show favoritism to the mother even if the father is more fit to be the custodial parent.
Any Child Support matter will be concluded by the Iowa Family Court. Child support is part of any Divorce in Iowa that involves children.
