Paternity and Child SuPPort law in iowa - Iowa Legal Aid ·  · 2017-07-22INFORMATION BEFORE USING...

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Visit our Website for More Self-Help Resources iowalegalaid.org A GUIDE TO HOW COURTS DETERMINE CHILD SUPPORT IN IOWA P ATERNITY AND C HILD S UPPORT LAW IN IOWA

Transcript of Paternity and Child SuPPort law in iowa - Iowa Legal Aid ·  · 2017-07-22INFORMATION BEFORE USING...

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Visit our Website for More Self-Help Resources iowalegalaid.org

A Guide to How Courts determine

CHild support in iowA

Paternity and Child SuPPort

law in iowa

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: READ THIS INFORMATION BEFORE USING ANY PART

OF THIS BOOKLETThis booklet is a general summary of the law. It is not meant to completely explain the subjects in this booklet. IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR LEGAL ADVICE.

The information in this booklet was correct as of the date it was printed (see the back cover). The laws may have changed. DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION IN THIS BOOKLET IS NOW CORRECT.

You should see a lawyer to get complete, correct, and up-to-date legal advice. Do not rely on the general information in this booklet for your specific case.

If you need a lawyer but can’t afford one, contact Iowa Legal Aid. You may be able to get free legal help. Call or write Iowa Legal Aid. The address and phone numbers are on the back cover.

AS YOU READ THIS BOOKLET, REMEMBER IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR LEGAL ADVICE.

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ContentsINTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................... 5

THE CHILD SUPPORT RECOVERY UNIT ...........................................................................5What Does the Child Support Recovery Unit Do? ................................................................... 5Can People Contact the Child Support Recovery Unit If They Are Not on Public Assistance (Family Investment Program/FIP or Medical Assistance)? ........................... 5CSRU Fees for Non-FIP Cases ........................................................................................................... 6What Does the Parent Owe the Department of Human Services Once Public Assistance is Received for the Child? ........................................................................................ 6How Does the State Keep Track of Support Payments? ........................................................ 6

ESTABLISHMENT OF PATERNITY ......................................................................................6What If the Mother Won’t Reveal the Father’s Name? ............................................................ 6What Happens After the Mother Suggests a Father? ............................................................. 6What If He Doesn’t Think He Is the Father? ................................................................................ 7What Will Happen If He Ignores the Notice and Fails to Contact CSRU? ......................... 7How Much Does It Cost To Get the Genetic Tests? .................................................................. 7How Are the Tests Done? .................................................................................................................. 7What Will the Tests Show? ................................................................................................................ 7How Accurate Are the Tests? ........................................................................................................... 8How Long Does It Take to Get Results? ....................................................................................... 8Can the Test Results Be Challenged? ............................................................................................ 8Are Genetic Tests the Only Way to Establish Paternity? ......................................................... 8What If the Genetic test Shows That He Is the Father or What If the Man Does Not Contest Paternity? ............................................................................................................................ 8Can Paternity Be Disestablished? ................................................................................................ 8

ESTABLISHMENT OF SUPPORT ORDERS .........................................................................9What If Paternity Is Not An Issue? .................................................................................................. 9What If the Parent Gets a Notice of Support Debt from CSRU? .......................................... 9Sample Letter to Child Support Recovery Unit ........................................................................ 9Sample Letter Regarding Paternity .............................................................................................10Is the Non-Custodial Parent (Debtor or Obligor) Entitled to a Hearing? .......................10What If the Notice Is Ignored? ......................................................................................................11How Is the Amount of Child Support Determined?..............................................................11What if the parents share custody?.............................................................................................12What is Considered “Income”? ......................................................................................................13How Does CSRU Calculate Accrued Support? ........................................................................13What is Medical Support? ..............................................................................................................13How is “cost” defined? ......................................................................................................................13

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Can the custodial parent be required to buy health insurance? ......................................13How is the insurance premium paid? ......................................................................................14What if “reasonable” cost insurance is not available to either parent? ..........................14Are there any exceptions to having to pay Cash Medical Support? ...............................14What If the Noncustodial Parent Is 19 Years Old or Younger? ...........................................14

FOSTER CARE .................................................................................................................... 14Do Parents Have To Pay Support If the Child Is In Foster Care? ........................................14

HOW CHILD SUPPORT IS ENFORCED ........................................................................... 15What If the Non-Custodial Parent Won’t Pay? .........................................................................15How Much Can Be Withheld? ........................................................................................................15

1) Challenges to Income Withholding ...............................................................................162) Garnishment ..........................................................................................................................163) Seek Work Orders .................................................................................................................164) Administrative Levy ............................................................................................................165) Contempt of Court ..............................................................................................................176) License Sanctions ................................................................................................................177) Reports to Credit Bureaus .................................................................................................178) Centralized Employee Registry .......................................................................................179) Tax Refund Intercept ...........................................................................................................18

Are There Other Ways to Collect Child Support? ...................................................................18What If the Children Are No Longer Minors? ..........................................................................18

MODIFYING CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS ........................................................................ 18Review and Adjustment of Child Support Orders .................................................................18Administrative Modification ..........................................................................................................19What if the Parent Paying Support Becomes Disabled? ......................................................19Suspension and Reinstatement of Support .............................................................................19Petition to Modify Support ............................................................................................................20Motion to Release Support Judgment ....................................................................................20What If More Than One State is Involved? ................................................................................20Where Is the Law On Child Support Found? ...........................................................................20Where Can I Find Out More About the Child Support Recovery Unit (CSRU)? ...........21How Do I Contact the Child Support Recovery Unit?...........................................................21

Offices, Addresses and Service Areas .................................................................................21Obligation to Provide Information ..............................................................................................22

GLOSSARY OF CHILD SUPPORT AND PATERNITY TERMS ......................................... 24Motion to Quash/Change Income Withholding Order ........................................................25Information Form ..............................................................................................................................27Child Support Guidelines ...............................................................................................................29

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INTRODUCTIONChildren whose parents do not live together should still get support from both of them. Either the State of Iowa or custodial parent can get an order setting how much support the non-custodial parent must pay to the custodial parent. If the parent without custody does not pay this support voluntarily, there are ways to force payment.

Orders for child support are issued by a judge or by the Child Support Recovery Unit. Orders issued by a judge most often occur in a divorce. A general booklet on divorce called Divorce Law in Iowa is available from Iowa Legal Aid. Contact Iowa Legal Aid at the address or phone number on the back cover if you want to get a copy.

Support orders may also arise when a marriage is annulled or a couple separates. Support can be ordered when domestic abuse injunctions are issued and through paternity actions. Once the order has been obtained, it can be enforced by the parent who is owed support. It can also be enforced by the State of Iowa, usually through the Child Support Recovery Unit.

THE CHILD SUPPORT RECOVERY UNITThe Child Support Recovery Unit (CSRU) is an office of the Department of Human Services. Their purpose is to help establish support orders and collect child support payments.

What Does the Child Support Recovery Unit Do?The CSRU can provide the following services:

1) Help locate an absent parent or anyone else who has to support the child of the custodial parent.

2) Help prove paternity and get a court order for support.

3) Help get support payments that a court has already ordered.

4) Help get income from a non-custodial parent to pay any money owed to the Department of Human Services or to a household not on public assistance.

5) Modify and suspend child support orders.

Can People Contact the Child Support Recovery Unit If They Are Not on Public Assistance (Family Investment Program/FIP or Medical Assistance)?Yes. By law, CSRU must make its child support and paternity determination services available to all households. The parent does not have to be on the Family Investment Program or “FIP.” (FIP used to be called the ADC Program). If CSRU refuses to help, or says there will be a long delay, contact a lawyer. If the parent cannot afford a lawyer, he or she may be able to get free legal help from Iowa Legal Aid.

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CSRU Fees for Non-FIP CasesFees are charged by the Child Support Recovery Unit. An application fee may be charged. The parent may also have to pay other fees to cover the actual costs to collect the support and determine paternity.

What Does the Parent Owe the Department of Human Services Once Public Assistance is Received for the Child?People who get Public Assistance agree to assign (meaning to give) to the Department of Human Services all right to child support owed. The amount of the assignment is limited to the amount of public assistance paid to the child’s family.

How Does the State Keep Track of Support Payments?Support to Public Assistance households must be sent to the Collection Services Center in Des Moines. Support to non-Public Assistance households may be sent either to the Collection Services Center or to the County Clerk of Court. It depends on whether CSRU is enforcing the support order and whether there is an income withholding order in place. If there is an income withholding order, payments must go to the Collection Services Center. If not, payments go to the Clerk of Court.

If the money is paid directly to the custodial parent instead of the Collection Services Center or to the Clerk of Court, it is not credited as paid. Therefore, the noncustodial parent should not pay the custodial parent directly.

ESTABLISHMENT OF PATERNITYPaternity is often established through marriage or “by operation of law.” This means that the husband is automatically the father of every child his wife gives birth to. Even if the husband and wife are separated or if the wife admits her husband is not the father, he will still be considered the dad.

If the parents are not married, paternity is established by court order or affidavit. Many paternity actions are private actions, that is, the mother of the child can sue the man she believes to be the father. However, this booklet deals with paternity actions where the state is involved. It is about cases where the State of Iowa is suing the possible father. The State is trying to get money for expenses and support of a child who gets “FIP” (Family Investment Program) benefits or medical assistance. FIP used to be called Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

Paternity actions often begin when a parent who does not get child support contacts the Department of Human Services to apply for FIP or Medical Assistance. These payments are then sent to the Child Support Recovery Unit (CSRU). The mother must usually give the name of the father (if known) or the names of several men who could be the father.

What If the Mother Won’t Reveal the Father’s Name?A mother may have good cause reasons for not revealing who the father is. However, if the mother cannot prove good cause, the mother could be charged with “failure to cooperate” and lose her FIP (but not the child’s).

What Happens After the Mother Suggests a Father?Once the mother has given the CSRU the father’s name (or several names), the CSRU will serve each man a Notice of Alleged Paternity and Support Debt. The man can do one of two things at this point. If he believes that he is the father, he can admit paternity. He can work out support payments and any other related issues. To work out support payments, he can request a conference with CSRU and/or a hearing. On the other hand, if he does not think that he is the father, he can challenge it.

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What If He Doesn’t Think He Is the Father?If the man does not believe that he is the father, he needs to tell this to CSRU and request a genetic test. He must contact the CSRU in writing within 20 days after receiving the original Notice of Alleged Paternity. (See sample letter on page 10). CSRU will then arrange for the test to be done. An order will be entered requiring the mother, the child and the alleged father to submit to genetic testing. There will be only one chance to reschedule the testing appointment. If you cannot go to the appointment, be sure and contact CSRU beforehand to reschedule. The test results will be mailed to the alleged father. A conference can also be requested to discuss paternity but it is important not to miss the 20-day deadline to deny paternity.

What Will Happen If He Ignores the Notice and Fails to Contact CSRU?Most alleged fathers do contact CSRU. IF HE DOES NOT ANSWER (meaning respond within the time stated in the notice), HIS PATERNITY IS ESTABLISHED BY DEFAULT. That means the court will rule that he is the father because he did not deny it. He can challenge the default by filing with the Clerk of Court a written application to set aside the default within 60 days. After the 60 days, there is another court proceeding (called “disestablishment.” See the next page) that can be started as long as the child is not 18 years old. If he wants to challenge the default order, he should contact an attorney immediately.

Do not ignore the notice or paternity will be established by default. If this happens, CSRU will enter an administrative order for support. The order will state an amount of monthly support to be paid and an amount of past due support. Also, at this point, income, wages, driver licenses and property can be taken. This means that the state can take and even sell personal property to help pay the child support. Read all notices carefully. Pay attention to all deadlines. Keep copies of all papers sent by you or CSRU.

How Much Does It Cost To Get the Genetic Tests?If the man cannot afford to pay for the tests, the state will advance the costs for the tests. He has to sign a sworn statement about why he can’t pay the costs of the genetic tests. If the tests show that he is the father of the child, he will be required to pay the costs for the test. The costs are usually around $600.

How Are the Tests Done?Most communities specify a place where genetic samples are taken. Some Child Support Recovery Unit locations are equipped to take samples. Genetic samples can be obtained from blood or tissue. One of the most common ways is using a cotton swab to take a sample of cells from inside the person’s mouth. The samples are then sent to approved test laboratories.

What Will the Tests Show?The tests used to determine paternity are scientific and accurate. The testers look at many factors to determine genetic makeup.

The tests will show one of two things:

1. It is genetically impossible for an alleged father to be the true father, or

2. There is some chance (for example 91.2% or 96.8%) that the alleged father is the father. If the chance of paternity is 95% or more, the alleged father is “presumed” (meaning assumed) to be the father. This “presumption of paternity” means that, in most cases, the judge will rule the alleged father is the father based on the test alone. The judge could rule that the man is not the father if there is “clear and convincing evidence” to prove it. The alleged father has only 20 days to challenge a test. The 20 days start on the date the test results are filed at the courthouse. To challenge the results, a written notice challenging them has to be filed with the Clerk of Court.

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If the genetic test shows a less than 95% chance the alleged father is the father, the judge may still find him to be the father. The judge must look at all the evidence including the test to decide if he is the father. In this case, the alleged father also has 20 days to challenge the test.

No matter what the probability of paternity is, the alleged father (or mother or CSRU) can ask the judge for another genetic test. The judge must order another genetic test if the request for another test is reasonable.

How Accurate Are the Tests?Thanks to scientific developments, the accuracy of genetic tests has greatly improved. The test results will be filed with the Clerk of Court, and the man will be sent a copy, too.

How Long Does It Take to Get Results?Results are usually reported within four to six weeks.

Can the Test Results Be Challenged?Yes. But the objection must be filed in writing with the court within 20 days after the test results were mailed and advance payment for additional testing must be made. A hearing will then be held in district court to resolve the issue of paternity.

Are Genetic Tests the Only Way to Establish Paternity?No. If the parents were not married to each other at the time of the conception and birth, they can sign an Affidavit of Paternity. The only form that can be used is the one by the Iowa Department of Public Health. The form is a sworn and notarized statement that the man is the biological father. The hospital and the Clerk of Court will have the forms. The Affidavits have the same effect as a judge’s decision, which means the father can be ordered to pay child support without any genetic testing. The father should not sign the affidavit unless he is sure he is the father.

It is possible to rescind or cancel a paternity affidavit. This must be done by filing a signed form with the state registrar. It must be filed either 60 days from when the affidavit was signed or before entry of a court order in a case involving the child, whichever comes first. Either parent can file the rescission. There may be a fee to file it. Filing the rescission will take the father’s name off the birth certificate.

What If the Genetic test Shows That He Is the Father or What If the Man Does Not Contest Paternity?If the genetic tests show that he is the father, or if the man agrees that he is the father, he can meet with CSRU and/or request a hearing (see below). This meeting is called a conference and must be requested within certain time frames. The CSRU will ask him for financial information. CSRU will then tell him how much they believe he should pay in support. This amount is based on the Uniform Child Support Guidelines (see pages 29 through 38). If he disagrees, he can ask for a court hearing. This also must be done within certain time limits. (See “Establishment of Support Orders” on the next page.)

Can Paternity Be Disestablished? Yes. A court action is needed to do this. Certain requirements must be met. These include:

1. the child must still be a minor (under age 18); 2. a guardian ad litem (or attorney) must be appointed for the child; 3. genetic tests have not already been done; 4. genetic tests are done which show the established father is not the biological father; or 5. if paternity was established by a signed affidavit, it was based on fraud, duress or material

mistake of fact.

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The person requesting that paternity be disestablished is responsible for paying for the genetic tests. The court action can be filed by the mother, the father or the child.

If the court does enter an order overcoming or disestablishing paternity, no more child support will be owed. Any unpaid, past due, or accrued support will be “waived.” This means it will not have to be paid. However, any support already paid will not be refunded.

Even if the tests show the man is not the father, the court can still decide not to overcome paternity. To do this, the father must request that the parent-child relationship continue. Also, the court must conclude that continuing the relationship is in the best interest of the child. Paternity can also be disestablished in a divorce proceeding if both the husband and wife sign a statement saying husband is not the father of a child from their marriage.

ESTABLISHMENT OF SUPPORT ORDERS

What If Paternity Is Not An Issue?Sometimes the question of who the father is has already been decided. For example, the parents are married but are no longer living together; or the children are living with the father; or genetic tests say he is the father. Then the only thing for CSRU to decide is the amount of support. To make this decision, CSRU first sends a Notice of Support Debt to the parents.

What If the Parent Gets a Notice of Support Debt from CSRU?When the CSRU intends to establish a support order requiring the non-custodial parent to pay child support, it will send that parent a notice called a “Notice of Support Debt.” The parent from whom child support is sought is called the “debtor” or “obligor.”

Sample Letter to Child Support Recovery Unit

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Sample Letter Regarding Paternity

A debtor who gets notice of a support debt from the CSRU should know the amount of the support debt listed could be misleading. The figure listed may show how much FIP the state has been paying to the debtor’s family, instead of the amount paid just for the children. Also, the support debt could be less than the amount of FIP paid for the children if the debtor’s income is too low.

The notice of support debt will include a request that the parent provide financial information. The parent will be asked to complete a financial statement. It is very important to tell CSRU accurate income information. Under the law, CSRU can estimate or assume the parent’s income if they don’t know for sure. This can result in support orders that are too high.

Once a debtor gets notice of a support debt from CSRU, the debtor may request a negotiation conference. This must be done within ten days. It is in a debtor’s best interest to contact CSRU in writing to ask for a meeting (negotiation conference). A sample letter is on page 9. At this time, the debtor will have a chance to discuss his/her specific case with the CSRU. He or she can also try to work out a plan for repayment of the support debt. After the conference, CSRU will issue a new notice or a conference report.

Is the Non-Custodial Parent (Debtor or Obligor) Entitled to a Hearing?A debtor can request a court hearing instead of participating in a negotiation conference. The request for a hearing must be made within 30 days after receiving the first notice.

Also, a debtor can request a hearing after taking part in a negotiation conference if he or she disagrees with the findings at the conference. This must be done within the time limit.

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The non-custodial parent who gets a notice of a support debt from CSRU has a right to a hearing. By law, the debtor need only ask (in writing) the CSRU to arrange such a hearing. See the sample letter on page 9.

What If the Notice Is Ignored?If a debtor does not contact CSRU within the time limit, CSRU will enter a default judgment. The default judgment is a child support order and may include the full amount of support shown on the notice. The debt may be taken from the debtor’s wages (wage assignment). At this time, a debtor’s property may also be subject to collection action. It may be possible to set aside (remove) a default judgment, but it is very hard to do.

How Is the Amount of Child Support Determined?The incomes of both parents determine the amount of child support in Iowa. In most cases, the Child Support Recovery Unit and judges must use the Child Support Guidelines which include a chart called the Iowa Schedule of Basic Support Obligations (Schedule). The Schedule uses the combined net monthly income of the parents. It also uses the number of children. Based on the combined income amount and the number of children, a total amount of child support is found on the Schedule. Each parent will “pay” a percentage or share of this total amount. The share is equal to the parent’s percentage of their combined incomes. For example, if both parents earn the same, each share is 50%. If one earns $1000 and the other one earns $1500, the shares would be 40%($1000 is 40% of the total $2500) and 60% ($1500 is 60% of $2500). A copy of the Guidelines (effective as of July 1, 2009) is at the back of this booklet. The Guidelines must be reviewed every four years. The reviews may change the Guidelines and how child support is figured. To get a copy of the current Guidelines, contact a lawyer or CSRU.

CSRU has a website you can use to get information about the current Guidelines. It is https://childsupport.dhs.state.ia.us The CSRU website includes a link to an online Child Support Estimator. The url of the Child Support Estimator is https://secureapp.dhs.state.ia.us/childsupport/changechildsupport/asppages/CSChdEst_Dis.asp

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The important part of the Guidelines is each parent’s “net monthly income.” The following items are subtracted from gross income to determine “net monthly income.”

1. federal income tax;

2. state income tax;

3. Social Security;

4. mandatory pension deductions;

5. union dues;

6. actual medical support paid under court order or administrative order;

7. cash medical support ordered in this specific case;

8. child support or alimony that is being paid and was ordered before this specific case;

9. qualified additional dependent deduction; and

10. actual child care expenses while the custodial parent is employed minus the income tax credit.

After this is all subtracted from gross income, the amount left is the “net monthly income.” The amount for each parent is combined. The basic support obligation is found on the Schedule. The non custodial parent will pay his/her share as described above. An example using the Guidelines will help. A couple has one child. Assume Mom is the custodial parent. Dad’s net income is $1600 a month. Mom’s net income is $400 a month. The total of their combined incomes is $2000. The Schedule says that the basic support obligation is $490. Dad’s income is 80% of the $2000. . Dad would pay 80% of the $490 or $392 (492 x .8).

For low-income parents, ONLY the income of the noncustodial parent is used. The incomes are NOT combined. The parents do not each pay a share of the basic support obligation. The noncustodial parent pays the full amount. The Schedule shows these low income amounts by having a “shaded area.” Example: If the noncustodial parent’s net income is only $1000 a month, and there is one child, the parent would pay $95.

What if the parents share custody?When the parents share custody about equally (joint physical care) support is decided a little different. After figuring each parent’s share of support, that amount is multiplied by 1.5 and that amount is multiplied by 50%. Support is calculated this way even if low income parents share custody.

A parent can ask a judge not to use the Guidelines to set support. This is called a Request to Deviate from the Guidelines. For example, the parent can tell the judge that the support amount set by the Guidelines is too high or too low. In the past it was very unlikely that the judge would deviate. Changes to the Guidelines in 2009 may make this a little easier. According to the rules, adjustments can be made to the support amount “to do justice between the parties...under the special circumstances of the case.” Because the Supreme Court has said to use the Guidelines except in very unusual cases, you will need to ask for a hearing to request a deviation. CSRU will not do it without a judge telling them to.

If the noncustodial parent has no income, he or she will still be ordered to pay child support. If the noncustodial parent’s net monthly income is less than $500 per month, the Judge probably will order the parent to pay $50 per month if there is one child, $75 per month if there are two children, $100 for three children, and $125 for four or more children.

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If a noncustodial parent’s court-ordered visitation exceeds 127 overnights per year, the non-custodial parent will be able to pay less in child support.

It is important for parents to tell the Child Support Recovery Unit (CSRU) how much money they make. CSRU usually asks the parent to complete a financial statement. If CSRU does not know how much money the noncustodial parent makes, the CSRU searches for information on the parent’s income. They will view records at Workforce Development, Department of Revenue and other agencies. When financial information is not available, CSRU estimates income according to the median income of all people who work in the same type of job as the obligor. If the obligor’s occupation is not known, CSRU may use the median income of the people on CSRU’s caseload.

What is Considered “Income”?The only type of money not considered income is welfare or public assistance. Therefore, CSRU will consider social security benefits, veterans benefits, pensions, unemployment benefits, wages, etc. as income but not FIP or SSI benefits.

How Does CSRU Calculate Accrued Support?It may take several months (or even years) for CSRU to get a support order after a child is born (or the parents separate). That does not mean no support will be owed for this time period. CSRU may go back 36 months from the date the parent is served papers or back to the month the child began receiving FIP, whichever is shorter. If the child has not received FIP or Medical Assistance it is quite likely no accrued support will be required.

If accrued support is ordered, this must be paid in addition to the current obligation. A payment schedule or income withholding order will usually require an additional 10% or 20% of the current amount to pay on this accrued debt.

What is Medical Support?The law says that “support” means more than just child support. It also means medical support. More emphasis is being placed on requiring the parent to provide health insurance and/or pay medical bills for the children. CSRU can obtain an order for just medical support and not child support. Usually both will be ordered at the same time. Until July of 2009, Obligors could be ordered to buy health insurance even if it was very expensive As long as it was available through his or her job, it was considered “reasonable” in cost. Oligors would have to enroll the children in the plan. All of that changed effective July 1, 2009. The definition of “reasonable” changed drastically. Now, the cost of the health insurance cannot be more than a set percentage of the parent’s gross income. The percentage will be between 1% and 5% depending on how much the parent earns. There is a Medical Support Table now in the Guidelines which lists the correct percentage.

How is “cost” defined?Cost is the child’s portion of the premium. To figure out this amount, you take the difference between the price of family coverage and the price of single coverage. So, if the family coverage costs $200 and the single coverage costs $125, $75 is the cost that must be “reasonable” under the facts of the case.

Can the custodial parent be required to buy health insurance?Yes. This is a big change in medical support. However, this would only happen if the noncustodial parent can’t get insurance at reasonable cost and the custodial parent can.

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How is the insurance premium paid? The parents share the cost according to their proportionate share of their combined incomes. For example, assume the cost of the insurance is $75, Dad’s income is $2,000 a month and Mom’s is $1500. Dad will pay 57% of the premium because his income is 57% of their combined incomes ($3500). The actual child support amount will go up or down depending on who is buying the insurance to account for this sharing.

What if “reasonable” cost insurance is not available to either parent? The Court must order “cash medical support.” This is defined as a cash amount that must be paid in addition to the child support and instead of buying health insurance. Only a “reasonable” amount can be required. What is reasonable is figured the same way as what would be reasonable to pay for health insurance. The same Medical Support Table is used to find out what percentage of gross income is correct. Cash Medical Support will be collected the same way that child support is and will be sent to the custodial parent. If the custodial parent is on Title 19, the money will go to the State just like child support does when the custodial parent is on FIP. ( support is “assigned to the State” when parent received public assistance)

Are there any exceptions to having to pay Cash Medical Support?Yes. If the parent is very low income they cannot be required to pay cash medical support. As of July 1, 2009 if the parent’s net income is below $850 a month, no cash medical can be ordered.

Medical support orders can be challenged and may be lowered if the cost of insurance is too high.

What If the Noncustodial Parent Is 19 Years Old or Younger?A noncustodial parent who is 19 years old or younger and who is still going to high school or getting a GED, will have support set according to guidelines unless special circumstances justify deviation.

FOSTER CARE

Do Parents Have To Pay Support If the Child Is In Foster Care?Yes, both the mother and father will be ordered to pay child support. The question of child support will not be part of the ChINA case (Child in Need of Assistance) or the juvenile delinquency case. Child support will be decided in a separate case started by the Foster Care Recovery Unit.

The Foster Care Recovery Unit will use the Child Support Guidelines (see pages 29 to 38 of this booklet) to decide the amount of support. There will be an order for the father to pay and a second order for the mother to pay. To determine the mother’s support, she will be considered the noncustodial parent on the Guidelines, and they will use “$0” for the custodial parent. Then to decide how much the father will pay in support, the same process will be used.

If the case plan is to return the child to one of the parents, then that parent may be able to argue that he or she should not have to pay any child support. This area of the law is not clear, and the parent should talk to an attorney immediately.

If the parents separated before the child went into foster care, there may already be a support order in effect. If so, the amount of support payable on behalf of that child is automatically assigned to the State. Unless otherwise set out in the Order, the amount of support payable on behalf of each child means that each child will get an equal share of the support ordered. For example, assume Dad has been ordered to pay $200 a month in support for two children. When one of these children is placed in foster care, one-half of that $200 (or $100) will automatically go to the State. It will not go to the mother as it did previously.

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HOW CHILD SUPPORT IS ENFORCED

What If the Non-Custodial Parent Won’t Pay?There are many ways to enforce a child support order. The following list includes the most common ways this is done.

1) Income Withholding

Child Support can be taken directly from wages or other income. Other income includes Social Security benefits, Worker’s Compensation benefits, unemployment and disability. Income is not withheld from payments received from the SSI or FIP programs.

MANDATORY. The law used to say if the parent who owes support is at least one month behind, the custodial parent can ask the Clerk of Court to take a certain amount of money directly from the wages of the parent who owes support. This is called a “wage assignment.” This usually is equal to the current monthly amount plus a percentage of this amount to go towards the past-due support. (See “How Much Can Be Withheld?” below.) It can be done without a hearing because “notice” is given in the original support order and final decree.

IMMEDIATE. Since November 1, 1990, immediate withholding of income became automatic for child support orders entered on or after that date. It will not be necessary to be behind in support first. There are two exceptions to this rule:

1. If good cause exists, which means it is in the best interest of the child; or

2. A written agreement exists between the parties providing for an alternative. This becomes void if child support is assigned to the state.

Child support payments ordered before November 1, 1990, can also be subject to immediate withholding, even if no arrearages are owed, if proper notice is given. Either parent may request immediate withholding or CSRU may determine it is necessary.

If back-due support is owed, the amount withheld under immediate withholding will probably be the current amount plus 10% of the current amount. The extra 10% is applied to the back-due amount.

How Much Can Be Withheld?If there is a delinquency (back child support), there are rules that state how much money can be taken through a wage assignment. Under the old law, the amount withheld will be the current support obligation plus 50 percent more of this amount. Since July 1, 1998, Orders usually require the current amount plus 20% of the current amount. However, if the total amount to be withheld is more than the amount allowed under federal law (50-65 percent of income), the federal limits will be followed.

Also a payor can request that less money be taken to pay on the delinquency on the grounds of hardship. Hardship means income below 200 percent of the poverty level for one person. (The poverty level for 2010 for one person is $10,830 income per year). There is a complicated formula for figuring how much the amount should be reduced, but the amount withheld on delinquency will never be less than $5.00. Also, the request must be made within 15 days after receiving notice of the withholding. Obligors who are receiving disability benefits can request a hardship reduction after the 15-day deadline has passed.

1) Challenges to Income WithholdingIt is possible to contest the withholding by filing a motion to quash in court and/or requesting an informal conference with CSRU. The issues to be reviewed are limited in an informal conference but include: the identity of the payor is wrong, the amount of the obligation (current or delinquent) is wrong, or the hardship criteria are met (discussed above). There is no appeal from the decision

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resulting from the informal conference. The conference must be requested within 15 days after the income withholding order is issued.

Under Iowa law, it is not clear what can be challenged by a motion to quash. The grounds for challenging an assignment are limited to “mistakes of fact.” Someone who is having money assigned (taken) from their wages for back due child support can challenge the assignment if one of the following errors has occurred:

1. The stated amount of back due or late support is not correct;2. The stated amount of back due or late support has been paid;3. The payment was not late;4. The amount exceeds the limits allowed under federal law; or5. The person whose money is being assigned is not the one who actually owes the money.

Some recent court cases suggest that you may be able to challenge wage assignments for other reasons as well. One example of a successful challenge was when a non-custodial parent claimed that he could not afford to pay back-due child support, because he also had to support two other children presently in his custody.

If the parent questions the amount of wage assignment, contact a lawyer. A sample Motion to Quash/Change Income Withholding Order is on pages 25 and 26.

2) GarnishmentGarnishment has the same results as income withholding. But it is different from income withholding in several ways. It tends to be used for non-wage income and taking of assets such as bank accounts, investments, business assets, etc. Also, garnishment may take more time because a party who seeks to garnish must go to court. So garnishment is less preferable if there are wages, but it is still an option. The court is supposed to consider each case so that all of the non-custodial parent’s money would not be taken if he or she has no other money.

3) Seek Work OrdersIf someone is not making child support payments and CSRU cannot verify that they are working, a court order can be entered requiring that person to look for a job. The order is entered by a judge “ex parte.” This means without the noncustodial parent being there. The order becomes effective 15 days after it is issued. The order can last up to three months. It will require the parent to look for a job and to report to CSRU the attempts to find a job. This report must be done weekly and show at least five new attempts to find work. Under certain circumstances the parent may be excused from these work search requirements.

4) Administrative LevyThis law allows CSRU to “levy” or seize money in bank accounts of people who are behind in their support payments. Notices are sent to the bank and the parent. The parent then has ten working days to challenge the levy. CSRU will then review their information and send a second notice. The parent can then request a court hearing which will be held within ten days. It is difficult to stop the levy. Sometimes arguments can be made that CSRU is taking too much or that the amount of alleged delinquency is not right.

5) Contempt of CourtWhen a person willfully or deliberately fails or refuses to pay child support, they can be found in contempt of court. They can also be found in contempt if they don’t obey a Seek Work Order (see

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the section 3 above). Contempt is similar to being charged with a crime. The process starts with a “rule to show cause” being served on the person. This will include a hearing date and time. At the hearing the parent has a chance to explain why they haven’t paid support. If they have a good reason such as being sick or disabled, they may not be found in contempt.

If found in contempt of court, the judge can impose a number of penalties including: jail time, fines, payment of child support into special accounts, community service or stopping the parent from doing anything that requires a license (such as practicing medicine, operating a business). Because of the possibility of a jail sentence, the parent may have the right to a court appointed attorney. It is best to ask for a court appointed attorney before the hearing date by contacting the clerk of court’s office.

6) License SanctionsCSRU can cause certain licenses to be taken away (suspended, revoked, not issued or not renewed) for failure to pay child support. These licenses include business or professional licenses as well as licenses to drive and register vehicles and recreational licenses. The parent must be behind in his or her payments three months and must meet certain other criteria. A notice is given to the parent that a “Certificate of Noncompliance” will be sent to the agency or department that issues that license. Later, that agency will also send a notice to the parent and start proceedings to take the license.

The parent can challenge this and possibly stop or lift the sanction. They should first request a conference with CSRU. After the conference, CSRU will issue a written decision. CSRU will not send a Certificate of Noncompliance or will withdraw it if certain conditions are met including:

• If the parent enters into a written agreement with CSRU regarding payments; or• If the parent pays the delinquency; or• Other facts exist which make the sanctions inappropriate.

If CSRU does issue the Certificate or won’t withdraw one, a hearing can be requested in district court. The deadline for requesting such a hearing is 30 days after the Notice from the agency or department that grants the license.

7) Reports to Credit BureausAny parent who owes overdue support of more than $1,000 will be reported to consumer reporting agencies (credit bureaus). This is a requirement imposed by federal law. A notice is sent to the parent explaining that the report will be made in 30 days. The parent can request a review within 15 days from the date of the Notice. At the review CSRU will look at the evidence presented by the parent and decide if more than $1,000 is actually owed. If so, the report will still be made. This decision cannot be appealed through CSRU. Once the report is made, it is not possible to withdraw it even if the delinquency gets below $1,000. The only way to prevent the report is to get the delinquency below $1,000 before the report is made or bring the account current (pay full amount).

8) Centralized Employee RegistryAll employers must report to CSRU all the people they hire. These reports are due ten days from the date the person is hired. The report must include information on whether health insurance is available. The goal is to help CSRU find and keep track of parents who change jobs frequently so that wage assignments can be imposed quicker.

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9) Tax Refund InterceptBoth federal and state refunds can be taken to pay past due support. For federal refunds, the amount of past due support that triggers the offset is either $150 or $500 depending on whether the custodial parent is on public assistance or not. For state refunds, the amount is $50 and applies to all cases. Other criteria must also be met and notices are sent both before the offset occurs and at the time of the offset. An administrative review by CSRU and/or an appeal hearing can be held to contest the offset but certain deadlines must be met. Also, the law does not allow obligors very many reasons to undo the offset. According to CSRU, tax offset is one of the most effective and successful collection tools they have.

Are There Other Ways to Collect Child Support?The nine ways listed above are not the only ways to collect child support, but they are the most common. Other ways include taking payments owed to the parent by a state agency (debtor offset) and seizure of property.

What If the Children Are No Longer Minors?Child support is usually no longer payable after a child is 18 years old. The support will continue until age 19 if the child is still in high school or working on a G.E.D. However, if there is still back-due support owed, CSRU can continue to take steps to collect it. Also, either parent in a divorce can be ordered to pay a “post-secondary education subsidy.” This is to help with educational expenses for a child ages 18-22 who is regularly attending college or involved in a vocational-technical program through school. The subsidy is paid to the child or the school or to both. Before ordering the subsidy, the court considers the educational costs, the income of the parents and the child and whether or not the child has “disowned” the parent. CSRU does not obtain or enforce orders for an education subsidy.

MODIFYING CHILD SUPPORT ORDERSChild support debts that have not been paid cannot be reduced or forgiven. Once a child support debt exists, it cannot be lowered. However, future payments can be lowered if the financial situation of the one who pays support changes a great deal or if other circumstances change that would justify a change in child support. A person who owes support must “modify” the support order to change the amount of support owed.

Review and Adjustment of Child Support OrdersAt the request of either parent, CSRU will review the amount of the support ordered and adjust the amount if certain conditions are met. They will look only at orders being enforced by CSRU, however. The conditions include:

1. The current amount varies from the Guidelines by more than 20 percent, or the net monthly income of the parent ordered to pay support does not fall within the income limits of the Guidelines, and

2. The variation is due to financial circumstances which have lasted for three months and can reasonably expect to last for an additional three months. Or,

3. Health coverage is available to the parent and the children are not already covered (does not include Title XIX).

Notice will be sent to the parents that a review is being conducted. There is no time limit on how long the reviews can take. After the review is completed, parents will get a written decision. The decision will tell them whether CSRU will file a Petition in court or an Administrative Order to change the child

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support amount. If a parent is not happy with the decision, they have ten days to request a review by CSRU. After that, a final decision is made by CSRU. If changing the child support is not appropriate, CSRU will not do anything more but parents can ask a court to review CSRU’s decision.

If, after initial or final review, adjustment is recommended, the CSRU attorney will review this recommendation. Then that attorney will file the Petition or an Administrative Order in court. However, if CSRU believes there is material misrepresentation of fact involved or that the reduction in income is voluntary, no Petition or Administrative Order will be filed.

The parent can have an attorney in this proceeding. CSRU will only let people request review every two years except in certain circumstances.

Administrative ModificationThis is a second way to change child support. It is available only in special circumstances. These include:

1. 50% change in income of either parent2. A child needs to be added to the order;3. The non-custodial parent is no longer a minor;4. Clerical or typographic errors need to be corrected; or5. The original order set support at zero or not at all.

The process is the same as in Review and Adjust but the two-year minimum does not apply.

What if the Parent Paying Support Becomes Disabled?When a parent receives Social Security Disability benefits (or retirement), dependent children may also receive a monthly check from the Social Security Administration. These benefits to the children can be used to help satisfy or pay the child support. They should contact CSRU right away if they become eligible for Social Security Disability or retirement. However, because of a change in the law, CSRU will change or modify the order for support and will count the amount paid to the children as income to the parent. The parent can still get credit (deduction) for the amount the children received, but the support order must be changed to include the credit.

Suspension and Reinstatement of SupportIn some cases, the people involved in a child support order experience a change in circumstances. For example, the parents may reconcile and start living together again or the children may go to live with the person ordered to pay child support. When things like that happen, CSRU can be required to suspend or stop the support obligation. To do this, certain conditions must be met. These include:

1. The request to suspend the support obligation must be signed by both parents.

2. The reason for the suspension or the change in circumstances must be expected to continue for at least six months.

3. If the request for suspension applies to at least one, but not all of the children affected by the order, the order must contain a “step change”. This means that the order already says what amount will be paid as the number of children entitled to support changes. (for example, $200 for 3 children; $150 for 2 and $100 for 1).

4. No prior request for suspension has been filed with the unit during the two-year period preceding the request.

If the conditions are met, CSRU will approve the request. They will then prepare an Order for the judge to sign suspending the support. This is a temporary order which becomes effective the date it is filed. After six months, this temporary order becomes final by operation of law and the support obligation is ended.

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During the six month waiting period, either person involved or CSRU can request Reinstatement of the order. This is done by submitting a written request to CSRU. A hearing will be scheduled if any person objects to the Reinstatement. The objections have to be filed with the clerk of court.

Sometimes support will keep adding up for a while before it can be suspended. The parent who is owed this support can ask that this amount be “satisfied” (forgiven or considered paid) as part of the suspension process. This means that the person previously ordered to pay support will not have to pay this amount. People who have already gone through the suspension may need to file a Motion with the Court to get rid of this back support. (See “Motion to Release Support Judgment” below.)

Petition to Modify SupportChild support orders can also be changed if one parent files a Petition to Modify in Court. This is like starting a new lawsuit and a filing fee must be paid. To modify the Order there must be a substantial and material change in circumstances. The change must also be permanent or long term. If the change involves reduced income, the reduction must be involuntary. For example, the parent cannot quit a good paying job just to pay less support. This process usually requires an attorney and can take several months to finish.

Motion to Release Support Judgment Sometimes parents start living together again or the child goes to live with the parent ordered to pay support. The support will continue to add up unless the order is changed by the court. This can be done through the Suspension process (explained above). However, sometimes a lot of time passes before parents ask for the suspension. The problem of what to do about the support that adds up during this waiting time can now be solved as part of the suspension process. This is because of a 1998 change in the law (explained above). However, if this new law did not apply or take care of the back support it will be necessary to file a Motion. When the Motion is filed, the parent who is owed the support signs a “release.” The release tells the court to forgive the debt of support owed to that parent. Most of the time people need a lawyer to help file this Motion. Note: any support owed to the state because the other parent was on FIP will not be forgiven.

What If More Than One State is Involved?Recent changes in federal law make it mandatory that each state adopt the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). This law explains what to do in cases where the parents do not live in the same state. The purpose of this law is to prevent several different orders for support being entered which involve the same family. It contains rules about which state has to decide the amount of support, how to collect support in other states and which state can modify the order. It is a very complicated law. If your case involves more than one state, contact CSRU or a lawyer.

Where Is the Law On Child Support Found?The area of child support law includes many different statutes in the Iowa Code: 252A, 252B, 252C, 252D, 252E, 252F, 252G, 252H, 252I, 252J, 252K, 598, and 600B. This is an area of the law that changes often. The Code of Iowa can be found at a local library or courthouse. Recent changes in the law are kept in special books which are usually kept with the Code itself. Talk to a librarian about using these books, but when in doubt, see a lawyer.

You can also find the Code of Iowa on the Internet. Go to the website of the Iowa State Legislature at http://www.legis.state.ia.us/IowaLaw.html

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Where Can I Find Out More About the Child Support Recovery Unit (CSRU)?The Child Support Recovery Service has a website at childsupport.dhs.state.ia.us

The website has information including:• Support guidelines• general information• changing an order• reliacard information• forms you use• contact information

How Do I Contact the Child Support Recovery Unit?CSRU now has a customer service number: 1-888-229-9223. If you call the CSRU office in your area (there are 19 different offices) you will probably be instructed to call this Customer Service number. You can also write or visit the CSRU office in your area. If you don’t know the address, it should be on papers you have received or through the Customer Service office.

CSRU local offices are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST Monday - Friday, except state holidays. You can also call the child support automated information line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-229-9223 (toll free nationwide) for additional information.

Office: Address: Service Area:Burlington Child Support Recovery Unit

409 N. 4th St., PO Box 638 Burlington, IA 52601-0638 319-753-6322

Counties: Des Moines, Henry, Lee, Louisa

Dubuque Child Support Recovery Unit

960 Main St., PO Box 3068 Dubuque, IA 52004-3068 563-557-7113

Counties: Dubuque

Carroll Child Support Recovery Unit

625 N. West St.; PO Box 937 Carroll, IA 51401-0937 712-792-5691

Counties: Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, Guthrie, Sac, Shelby

Fort Dodge Child Support Recovery Unit

330 1st Ave. No Fort Dodge, IA 50501-3718 515-955-5464

Counties: Calhoun, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Webster, Wright

Cedar Rapids Child Support Recovery Unit

411 3rd St. S.E., Ste. 600 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1842 319-362-2866

Counties: Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones

Linn County Child Support Recovery Unit

411 3rd St. S.E., Ste. 200 Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1837 319-398-3619

Counties: Linn

Clinton Child Support Recovery Unit

121 6th Ave. So., PO Box 1175 Clinton, IA 52733-1175 563-243-8237

Counties: Cedar, Clinton, Jackson

Marshalltown Child Support Recovery Unit

204 1/2 W. State St. Marshalltown, IA 50158-5842 641-753-6408

Counties: Grundy, Hardin, Marshall, Poweshiek, Tama

Council Bluffs Child Support Recovery Unit

300 W. Broadway, Ste. 32 Council Bluffs, IA 51503-9030 712-242-2358

Counties: Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, Taylor

Mason City Child Support Recovery Unit

Mohawk Square 22 N. Georgia Ave Ste 13 Mason City, IA 50401-3435 641-424-1147

Counties: Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Kossuth, Mitchell, Winnebago, Worth

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Office: Address: Service Area:Creston Child Support Recovery Unit

215 W. Adams Creston, IA 50801-3106 641-782-5844

Establishment Counties: Adair, Adams, Boone, Cass, Clarke, Dallas, Decatur, Jasper, Marion, Madison, Polk, Ringgold, Story, Union, Warren

Ottumwa Child Support Recovery Unit

127 E. Main, Ste. 100 Ottumwa, IA 52501-2951 641-682-8802

Counties: Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Monroe, Van Buren, Wapello, Washington, Wayne

Davenport Child Support Recovery Unit

3911 W. Locust, PO Box 4226 Davenport, IA 52808-4226 563-388-0409

Counties: Muscatine, Scott

Sioux City Child Support Recovery Unit

520 Nebraska St., Ste. 218 Sioux City, IA 51101-1315 712-255-2749

Counties: Buena Vista, Cherokee, Ida, Monona, Plymouth, Woodbury

Decorah Child Support Recovery Unit

317 Washington St., Ste. 2 Decorah, IA 52101-1832 563-382-2666

Counties: Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard, Winneshiek

Spencer Child Support Recovery Unit

t20 W. 6th St., Ste. 200 Spencer, IA 51301-3907 712-262-1412

Counties: Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Sioux

Child Support Recovery Unit - Des Moines Area

Mailing Address for all Des Moines area offices: CSRU, PO Box 9135, Des Moines, IA 50306-9135

-Ankeny - 1605 SE Delaware, Suite A, Ankeny, IA515-369-2800

Enforcement Payor O - S for Counties: Adair, Adams, Cass, Clarke, Decatur, Polk, Ringgold, Union

Grimes - 3560 SW Brookside Dr., Ste. E, Grimes, IA 515-369-2850

Enforcement Payor W - Z for Counties: Adair, Adams, Cass, Clarke, Decatur, Polk, Ringgold, UnionEnforcement Payor A - Z for Counties: Boone, Dallas, Story

Pleasant Hill - 1300 Metro East Dr., Suite 112-114, Pleasant Hill, IA 515-261-5870

Enforcement Payor A - C for Counties: Adair, Adams, Cass, Clarke, Decatur, Polk, Ringgold, Union

Indianola - 1807 West 2nd Ave (Hwy 92 W), Indianola, IA 515-962-5400

Enforcement Payor T - V for Counties: Adair, Adams, Cass, Clarke, Decatur, Polk, Ringgold, UnionEnforcement Payor A - Z for Counties: Jasper, Madison, Marion, Warren

South Des Moines - 525 SW 5th Street, Suite H, Des Moines, IA 515-369-2860

Enforcement Payor J - N for Counties: Adair, Adams, Cass, Clarke, Decatur, Polk, Ringgold, Union

North Des Moines - 6200 Aurora Ave., Suite 301 East, Urbandale, IA 515-369-2750

Enforcement Payor D - I for Counties: Adair, Adams, Cass, Clarke, Decatur, Polk, Ringgold, Union

Obligation to Provide InformationBoth parties must report certain information to keep their records current. Changes in address, driver’s license number, employer, etc. must be reported. A sample form used by the Clerks of Court is included on pages 27 and 28 in the back of this book. If a parent does not provide this information, he or she may not be notified in the future if something happens in his or her case.

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GLOSSARY OF CHILD SUPPORT AND PATERNITY TERMSArrears: The amount of child support that is past due or unpaid. Arrears can be set as of the date the child support order is first entered. This is usually the case when CSRU is getting the order and the child has been receiving welfare benefits from the State. CSRU rules say that they will calculate arrears based on the current amount of support ordered multiplied by the number of months (up to a maximum of 36) the child has been receiving benefits. It is not unusual to have a current obligation to pay plus an arrears totaling several thousand dollars. Payments must be made on both amounts.Assignment: The State (DHS) gets the right to collect money owed to a parent. When a parent receives FIP or Medicaid (Title XIX) on behalf of a child, the law requires that they assign or give their right to receive child support to the State. The assignment is automatic, meaning it just happens without the parent having to do much except receive the benefits. This is why child support paid will often go to the State instead of directly to the other parent. The child support is paid to reimburse the State for benefits paid out by FIP on behalf of the child. An assignment also happens if a child under a child support order goes into foster care. This is an automatic assignment of the child’s share of the order. For example, if there are three children under the order, one-third of the support order will belong to each child. If the order requires the parent to pay $300 per month and one of the children goes into foster care, $100 will be considered assigned to the state. The $100 will automatically be taken from the support paid and the remaining $200 will be sent to the other parent. Child Support: The amount of money the court requires a noncustodial parent (the one who does not have physical care of the child) to pay towards the cost of raising a child. The amount is based on both parents’ income and set according to strict Guidelines.Child Support Recovery Unit: An office of the Department of Human Services. Their job is to obtain support orders and collect child support payments. They also locate parents and establish paternity. Collection Services Center: A centralized distribution center where most child support payments are sent and then given out (distributed) to the appropriate person (parent or state). If payments are not sent through CSC, they will probably not be counted as being paid. The CSC replaces, for the most part, the clerks of court as a collector of child support.Deviating from the Guidelines: The mandatory child support Guidelines will always require a certain amount of support. The law presumes (or assumes) this amount is fair to both parents--enough for the child while leaving enough for the other parent to live on. Sometimes parents disagree with the amount and want the court to “deviate” or set a different amount of support. The court can do this only under special circumstances. It is usually quite difficult to convince a court to deviate. Disestablishment: This means a court order declaring that a man previously believed to be the established father is not the biological father. He will then no longer have to pay child support. Certain court procedures must be followed in order to obtain such an order.Genetic Testing: Medical analysis of blood or body tissue (such as saliva cells) to determine if a man is the biological father of a child. The mother, alleged father and the child give a blood or tissue sample. A laboratory then compares genetic “markers” to find out what the probability is that the man is the father. The results are stated in terms of a percentage (91.2 percent or 98.99 percent for example). If the percentage is 95 percent or higher, the law assumes the man is the father. Genetic tests are considered very accurate by scientists and the court. Guidelines: A set of rules and charts that must be used to set the amount of child support. They are written by the Iowa Supreme Court and are designed to make support orders “uniform” or fair for all parents based on their income. The Guidelines work by taking the net monthly income of both parents and placing those figures on a certain chart depending on the number of children involved. The chart will state what percentage, such as 25 percent or 22.2 percent (of the noncustodial parent’s income) is to be paid out in child support.

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Income: For purposes of calculating child support, there are two basic types of income to be aware of: gross and net. Gross income is the total amount a person earns or receives. The income does not have to be taxable to be counted. Income includes such things as Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, workers compensation benefits, wages, salary, commission and VA benefits. Some types of income, however, are not counted--such as FIP benefits and SSI. Net income is the amount you have after taking certain deductions from gross income such as taxes, Social Security, medical insurance premiums, other child support payments and child care costs. Net income is used when calculating the amount of support under the Guidelines.If the correct income of a parent is not known, the law allows the court and CSRU to impute income, or assume the person is making a certain amount of money.Income Withholding: This is the most common way to collect support. It involves a court order being sent to an employer requiring them to take a certain amount of money out of the parent’s paycheck each pay period. If the parent is behind in their support payments, this amount will include the amount due each month (current support) plus an amount to be paid on the back support (arrears). A parent can challenge the amount being taken, but the reasons to lower it are fairly limited under the law. Medical Support: The purchase of health insurance or a health benefit plan to meet the needs of a child (and sometimes a custodial parent). It can also be a cash payment to the noncustodial parent instead of buying the insurance. It is separate from child support and usually obtained through an employer.Obligee: Person legally entitled to receive a support payment on behalf of a child. Often the obligee is the custodial parent. The obligee is also known as the payee.Obligor: Person legally responsible for support. This is usually the noncustodial parent and is also known as the payor. Parental Liability: Child support assessed against a parent when their child goes into foster care. The law says a parent must contribute something to the cost of the foster care placement. The Guidelines are used to determine what this amount will be. Paternity: The legal conclusion that a man is the biological or natural father of a child. Paternity can be established a number of different ways: the parents can agree he is the father by signing a paternity affidavit; the court can order it based on genetic test results or because a man does not deny he is the father. Also, when the parents are married at the time the child is conceived or born, the husband will be considered the legal father of the child.Post-Secondary Education Subsidy: An amount either parent in a divorce may be required to pay for education expenses of a child past high school. The child must be between the ages of 18 and 22 and be regularly attending an approved school or vocational program. The amount cannot exceed one-third of the total cost of the education expenses. It is paid to either the child and/or the school; not the custodial parent. Putative Father: The man who is believed to be the biological or natural father of a child but is not yet declared the legal father. A putative father is also called an “alleged father.”Review and Adjust: A way to change (modify) a child support order through the Child Support Recovery Unit. If certain criteria are met, the amount of support can be increased or decreased. Medical support can also be added to the support order in this way. Specialized Customer Service Unit (SCSU): A special office, located in Des Moines, to handle questions and complaints from those paying and receiving support. The Unit’s phone number is 1-888-229-9223. It is no longer possible to call the local CSRU offices. It is necessary to call the SCSU first.Suspension: A service provided by CSRU to stop the support order due to an agreement between the obligor and obligee. Frequently, it is because a child moved and is now living with the parent who is currently paying support. During the first six months, the order is suspended. This means the support does not add up. If the change in circumstances continues for six months, the order is stopped.

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Child Support GuidelinesIOWA SCHEDULE OF BASIC SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS

1. Except as provided in 2, only the noncustodial parent’s income is used in the shaded area in accordance with the low-income adjustment. The parents’ combined incomes are used in the remaining (non-shaded) area of the schedule.

2. In joint (equally shared) physical care cases, regardless whether a parent is low income, use the parents’ combined incomes in the shaded and non-shaded areas of the schedule.

3. For combined net monthly incomes above $20,000, the amount of the basic support obligation is deemed to be within the sound discretion of the court or the agency fixing support by administrative order but shall not be less than the basic support obligation for combined net monthly incomes equal to $20,000.

Combined* Adjusted Net Income

One Child

Two Children

Three Children

Four Children

Five or More Children

0 - 100 10 20 30 35 40 101 - 200 10 20 30 35 40 201 - 300 20 30 30 45 50 301 - 400 30 40 40 55 60 401 - 500 40 50 50 65 70 501 - 600 50 60 70 75 80 601 - 700 60 70 80 85 90 701 - 800 70 80 90 95 100 801 - 850 80 90 100 105 110 851 - 900 85 95 105 110 115 901 - 950 90 100 110 115 120 951 - 1000 95 105 120 130 145

1001 - 1050 120 135 153 163 178 1051 - 1100 145 165 185 195 210 1101 - 1150 170 195 218 228 243 1151 - 1200 195 225 250 260 275 1201 - 1250 220 255 283 293 308 1251 - 1300 245 285 315 325 340 1301 - 1350 270 315 348 358 373 1351 - 1400 295 345 380 390 405 1401 - 1450 320 375 413 423 438 1451 - 1500 345 405 445 455 470 1501 - 1550 370 435 478 488 503 1551 - 1600 395 465 510 520 535 1601 - 1650 406 495 543 553 568 1651 - 1700 418 525 575 585 600 1701 - 1750 430 555 608 618 633

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Combined* Adjusted Net Income

One Child

Two Children

Three Children

Four Children

Five or More Children

1751 - 1800 442 585 640 650 665 1801 - 1850 454 615 673 683 698 1851 - 1900 466 645 705 715 730 1901 - 1950 478 675 738 748 763 1951 - 2000 490 705 770 780 795 2001 - 2050 502 727 803 813 828 2051 - 2100 514 744 835 845 8602101 - 2150 526 761 868 878 893 2151 - 2200 538 778 900 910 925 2201 - 2250 550 795 933 943 958 2251 - 2300 562 813 957 975 990 2301 - 2350 574 831 978 1000 1023 2351 - 2400 586 848 999 1021 1045 2401 - 2450 598 866 1020 1043 1067 2451 - 2500 610 883 1041 1064 1089 2501 - 2550 622 901 1061 1086 1111 2551 - 2600 634 919 1082 1107 1133 2601 - 2650 647 936 1103 1129 1155 2651 - 2700 659 954 1124 1150 1177 2701 - 2750 671 971 1145 1172 1199 2751 - 2800 683 989 1166 1193 1221 2801 - 2850 695 1007 1186 1215 1243 2851 - 2900 707 1024 1207 1236 1265 2901 - 2950 717 1038 1223 1258 1287 2951 - 3000 726 1051 1237 1279 1309 3001 - 3050 736 1064 1251 1301 1331 3051 - 3100 745 1076 1265 1322 1353 3101 - 3150 754 1089 1279 1344 1375 3151 - 3200 764 1102 1294 1365 1397 3201 - 3250 773 1115 1308 1387 1419 3251 - 3300 782 1127 1322 1408 1441 3301 - 3350 792 1140 1336 1430 1463 3351 - 3400 798 1149 1347 1451 1485 3401 - 3450 803 1157 1357 1473 1507 3451 - 3500 809 1166 1367 1494 1529 3501 - 3550 815 1174 1377 1516 1551 3551 - 3600 820 1183 1387 1537 1573 3601 - 3650 826 1191 1397 1559 1595 3651 - 3700 832 1200 1408 1572 1617 3701 - 3750 837 1208 1418 1584 1639 3751 - 3800 843 1216 1428 1595 1661

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Combined* Adjusted Net Income

One Child

Two Children

Three Children

Four Children

Five or More Children

3801 - 3850 849 1225 1438 1606 1683 3851 - 3900 855 1233 1447 1616 1705 3901 - 3950 861 1242 1457 1627 1727 3951 - 4000 867 1250 1466 1638 1749 4001 - 4050 874 1259 1476 1649 1771 4051 - 4100 880 1267 1486 1659 1793 4101 - 4150 886 1276 1495 1670 1815 4151 - 4200 892 1284 1505 1681 1837 4201 - 4250 898 1292 1514 1691 1859 4251 - 4300 902 1297 1518 1695 1865 4301 - 4350 905 1301 1522 1700 1870 4351 - 4400 909 1305 1526 1704 1875 4401 - 4450 912 1310 1530 1709 1880 4451 - 4500 916 1314 1534 1714 1885 4501 - 4550 919 1318 1538 1718 1890 4551 - 4600 923 1323 1542 1723 1895 4601 - 4650 926 1327 1546 1727 1900 4651 - 4700 930 1332 1551 1732 1906 4701 - 4750 935 1338 1558 1740 1914 4751 - 4800 939 1344 1565 1749 1923 4801 - 4850 944 1351 1573 1757 1932 4851 - 4900 948 1357 1580 1765 1941 4901 - 4950 953 1364 1587 1773 1950 4951 - 5000 958 1370 1594 1781 1959 5001 - 5050 962 1376 1602 1789 1968 5051 - 5100 967 1383 1609 1797 1977 5101 - 5150 971 1389 1616 1805 1986 5151 - 5200 976 1395 1623 1813 1995 5201 - 5250 981 1402 1631 1822 2004 5251 - 5300 985 1408 1638 1830 2013 5301 - 5350 990 1415 1645 1838 2022 5351 - 5400 995 1422 1653 1847 2031 5401 - 5450 1000 1429 1661 1856 2041 5451 - 5500 1006 1436 1669 1865 2051 5501 - 5550 1011 1444 1678 1874 2061 5551 - 5600 1016 1451 1686 1883 2071 5601 - 5650 1022 1458 1694 1892 2081 5651 - 5700 1027 1465 1702 1901 2091 5701 - 5750 1032 1473 1710 1910 2101 5751 - 5800 1038 1480 1718 1919 2111 5801 - 5850 1043 1487 1726 1928 2121

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Combined* Adjusted Net Income

One Child

Two Children

Three Children

Four Children

Five or More Children

5851 - 5900 1048 1495 1734 1937 2131 5901 - 5950 1054 1502 1742 1946 2141 5951 - 6000 1059 1509 1750 1955 2151 6001 - 6050 1064 1516 1759 1964 2161 6051 - 6100 1069 1524 1767 1974 2171 6101 - 6150 1074 1531 1776 1983 2182 6151 - 6200 1079 1538 1784 1993 2192 6201 - 6250 1084 1545 1793 2002 2202 6251 - 6300 1090 1553 1801 2012 2213 6301 - 6350 1095 1560 1809 2021 2223 6351 - 6400 1100 1567 1818 2031 2234 6401 - 6450 1105 1574 1826 2040 2244 6451 - 6500 1110 1582 1835 2049 2254 6501 - 6550 1115 1589 1843 2059 2265 6551 - 6600 1120 1596 1852 2068 2275 6601 - 6650 1125 1603 1860 2078 2286 6651 - 6700 1130 1611 1868 2087 2296 6701 - 6750 1135 1618 1876 2096 2305 6751 - 6800 1140 1625 1884 2104 2315 6801 - 6850 1145 1631 1892 2113 2324 6851 - 6900 1150 1638 1900 2122 2334 6901 - 6950 1155 1645 1907 2130 2343 6951 - 7000 1160 1652 1915 2139 2353 7001 - 7050 1166 1659 1923 2148 2363 7051 - 7100 1171 1666 1931 2156 2372 7101 - 7150 1176 1673 1938 2165 2382 7151 - 7200 1181 1680 1946 2174 2391 7201 - 7250 1186 1687 1954 2182 2401 7251 - 7300 1191 1694 1962 2191 2410 7301 - 7350 1196 1701 1969 2200 2420 7351 - 7400 1201 1708 1977 2208 2429 7401 - 7450 1206 1715 1985 2217 2439 7451 - 7500 1211 1721 1993 2226 2448 7501 - 7550 1216 1728 2000 2234 2458 7551 - 7600 1221 1736 2009 2244 2468 7601 - 7650 1226 1743 2017 2253 2479 7651 - 7700 1231 1750 2026 2263 2490 7701 - 7750 1236 1758 2035 2273 2500 7751 - 7800 1241 1765 2044 2283 2511 7801 - 7850 1246 1772 2052 2293 2522 7851 - 7900 1251 1780 2061 2302 2533

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Combined* Adjusted Net Income

One Child

Two Children

Three Children

Four Children

Five or More Children

7901 - 7950 1256 1787 2070 2312 2543 7951 - 8000 1262 1795 2079 2322 2554 8001 - 8050 1267 1802 2087 2332 2565 8051 - 8100 1272 1809 2096 2341 2576 8101 - 8150 1277 1817 2105 2351 2586 8151 - 8200 1282 1824 2114 2361 2597 8201 - 8250 1287 1832 2122 2371 2608 8251 - 8300 1292 1839 2131 2381 2619 8301 - 8350 1297 1846 2140 2390 2629 8351 - 8400 1302 1854 2149 2400 2640 8401 - 8450 1307 1861 2158 2410 2651 8451 - 8500 1311 1866 2163 2416 2658 8501 - 8550 1313 1870 2167 2421 2663 8551 - 8600 1316 1873 2171 2425 2668 8601 - 8650 1318 1877 2175 2430 2673 8651 - 8700 1321 1880 2179 2434 2678 8701 - 8750 1324 1884 2183 2439 2682 8751 - 8800 1326 1888 2187 2443 2687 8801 - 8850 1329 1891 2191 2448 2692 8851 - 8900 1331 1895 2195 2452 2697 8901 - 8950 1334 1898 2199 2457 2702 8951 - 9000 1337 1902 2203 2461 2707 9001 - 9050 1339 1906 2207 2466 2712 9051 - 9100 1342 1909 2211 2470 2717 9101 - 9150 1344 1913 2215 2475 2722 9151 - 9200 1347 1916 2219 2479 2727 9201 - 9250 1349 1920 2223 2484 2732 9251 - 9300 1352 1923 2227 2488 2737 9301 - 9350 1355 1927 2231 2493 2742 9351 - 9400 1359 1933 2238 2499 2749 9401 - 9450 1363 1938 2244 2507 2757 9451 - 9500 1367 1944 2251 2514 2765 9501 - 9550 1372 1950 2257 2521 2773 9551 - 9600 1376 1956 2263 2528 2781 9601 - 9650 1380 1962 2270 2535 2789 9651 - 9700 1385 1968 2276 2543 2797 9701 - 9750 1389 1973 2283 2550 2805 9751 - 9800 1393 1979 2289 2557 2813 9801 - 9850 1397 1985 2296 2564 2821 9851 - 9900 1402 1991 2302 2571 2829 9901 - 9950 1406 1997 2309 2579 2836

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Combined* Adjusted Net Income

One Child

Two Children

Three Children

Four Children

Five or More Children

9951 - 10000 1410 2002 2315 2586 2844 10001 - 10050 1415 2008 2321 2593 2852 10051 - 10100 1419 2014 2328 2600 2860 10101 - 10150 1423 2020 2334 2607 2868 10151 - 10200 1428 2026 2341 2615 2876 10201 - 10250 1432 2031 2347 2622 288410251 - 10300 1436 2037 2354 2629 2892 10301 - 10350 1440 2043 2360 2636 2900 10351 - 10400 1445 2049 2366 2643 2908 10401 - 10450 1449 2055 2373 2651 2916 10451 - 10500 1454 2061 2380 2659 2925 10501 - 10550 1458 2068 2388 2668 2934 10551 - 10600 1463 2075 2396 2676 2944 10601 - 10650 1468 2081 2404 2685 2953 10651 - 10700 1473 2088 2412 2694 2963 10701 - 10750 1477 2095 2419 2702 2973 10751 - 10800 1482 2102 2427 2711 2982 10801 - 10850 1487 2108 2435 2720 2992 10851 - 10900 1492 2115 2443 2729 3001 10901 - 10950 1496 2122 2451 2737 3011 10951 - 11000 1501 2129 2458 2746 3021 11001 - 11050 1506 2135 2466 2755 3030 11051 - 11100 1511 2142 2474 2763 3040 11101 - 11150 1515 2149 2482 2772 3049 11151 - 11200 1520 2156 2490 2781 3059 11201 - 11250 1525 2162 2497 2790 3069 11251 - 11300 1530 2169 2505 2798 3078 11301 - 11350 1534 2176 2513 2807 3088 11351 - 11400 1539 2183 2521 2816 3097 11401 - 11450 1544 2189 2529 2824 3107 11451 - 11500 1549 2196 2536 2833 3116 11501 - 11550 1553 2203 2544 2842 3126 11551 - 11600 1558 2210 2552 2851 3136 11601 - 11650 1563 2216 2560 2859 3145 11651 - 11700 1568 2223 2568 2868 3155 11701 - 11750 1572 2230 2575 2877 3164 11751 - 11800 1577 2237 2583 2885 3174 11801 - 11850 1582 2243 2591 2894 3184 11851 - 11900 1587 2250 2599 2903 3193 11901 - 11950 1591 2257 2607 2912 3203 11951 - 12000 1596 2264 2614 2920 3212

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Combined* Adjusted Net Income

One Child

Two Children

Three Children

Four Children

Five or More Children

12001 - 12050 1601 2270 2622 2929 3222 12051 - 12100 1606 2277 2630 2938 3232 12101 - 12150 1610 2284 2638 2947 3241 12151 - 12200 1615 2291 2646 2955 3251 12201 - 12250 1620 2297 2653 2964 3260 12251 - 12300 1623 2302 2659 2970 3267 12301 - 12350 1627 2307 2664 2976 3273 12351 - 12400 1630 2312 2670 2982 3280 12401 - 12450 1634 2317 2675 2988 3287 12451 - 12500 1637 2322 2681 2994 3294 12501 - 12550 1641 2326 2686 3000 3301 12551 - 12600 1644 2331 2692 3007 3307 12601 - 12650 1648 2336 2697 3013 3314 12651 - 12700 1652 2341 2703 3019 3321 12701 - 12750 1655 2346 2708 3025 3328 12751 - 12800 1659 2351 2714 3031 3334 12801 - 12850 1662 2356 2719 3037 3341 12851 - 12900 1666 2361 2725 3044 3348 12901 - 12950 1669 2366 2730 3050 3355 12951 - 13000 1673 2371 2736 3056 3361 13001 - 13050 1676 2376 2741 3062 3368 13051 - 13100 1680 2380 2747 3068 3375 13101 - 13150 1683 2385 2752 3074 3382 13151 - 13200 1687 2390 2758 3081 3389 13201 - 13250 1691 2395 2763 3087 3395 13251 - 13300 1694 2400 2769 3093 3402 13301 - 13350 1698 2405 2774 3099 3409 13351 - 13400 1701 2410 2780 3105 3416 13401 - 13450 1705 2415 2785 3111 3422 13451 - 13500 1708 2420 2791 3117 3429 13501 - 13550 1712 2425 2796 3124 3436 13551 - 13600 1715 2429 2802 3130 3443 13601 - 13650 1719 2434 2807 3136 3450 13651 - 13700 1723 2439 2813 3142 3456 13701 - 13750 1726 2444 2818 3148 3463 13751 - 13800 1730 2449 2824 3154 3470 13801 - 13850 1733 2454 2830 3161 3477 13851 - 13900 1737 2459 2835 3167 3483 13901 - 13950 1740 2464 2841 3173 3490 13951 - 14000 1744 2469 2846 3179 3497 14001 - 14050 1747 2474 2852 3185 3504

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Combined* Adjusted Net Income

One Child

Two Children

Three Children

Four Children

Five or More Children

14051 - 14100 1751 2479 2857 3191 3510 14101 - 14150 1755 2483 2863 3198 3517 14151 - 14200 1758 2488 2868 3204 3524 14201 - 14250 1762 2493 2874 3210 3531 14251 - 14300 1765 2498 2879 3216 3538 14301 - 14350 1769 2503 2885 3222 3544 14351 - 14400 1772 2508 2890 3228 3551 14401 - 14450 1776 2513 2896 3234 3558 14451 - 14500 1779 2518 2901 3241 3565 14501 - 14550 1783 2523 2907 3247 3571 14551 - 14600 1786 2528 2912 3253 3578 14601 - 14650 1790 2532 2918 3259 3585 14651 - 14700 1794 2537 2923 3265 3592 14701 - 14750 1797 2542 2929 3271 3599 14751 - 14800 1801 2547 2934 3278 3605 14801 - 14850 1804 2552 2940 3284 3612 14851 - 14900 1808 2557 2945 3290 3619 14901 - 14950 1811 2562 2951 3296 3626 14951 - 15000 1815 2567 2956 3302 3632 15001 - 15050 1818 2572 2962 3308 3639 15051 - 15100 1822 2577 2967 3315 3646 15101 - 15150 1826 2582 2973 3321 3653 15151 - 15200 1829 2586 2978 3327 3659 15201 - 15250 1833 2591 2984 3333 3666 15251 - 15300 1836 2596 2989 3339 3673 15301 - 15350 1840 2601 2995 3345 3680 15351 - 15400 1843 2606 3000 3351 3687 15401 - 15450 1847 2611 3006 3358 3693 15451 - 15500 1850 2616 3011 3364 3700 15501 - 15550 1854 2621 3017 3370 3707 15551 - 15600 1858 2626 3022 3376 3714 15601 - 15650 1861 2631 3028 3382 3720 15651 - 15700 1865 2635 3033 3388 3727 15701 - 15750 1868 2640 3039 3395 3734 15751 - 15800 1872 2645 3044 3401 3741 15801 - 15850 1875 2650 3050 3407 3748 15851 - 15900 1879 2655 3056 3413 3754 15901 - 15950 1882 2660 3061 3419 3761 15951 - 16000 1886 2665 3067 3425 3768 16001 - 16050 1889 2670 3072 3431 3775 16051 - 16100 1893 2675 3078 3438 3781

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Combined* Adjusted Net Income

One Child

Two Children

Three Children

Four Children

Five or More Children

16101 - 16150 1897 2680 3083 3444 3788 16151 - 16200 1900 2684 3089 3450 3795 16201 - 16250 1904 2689 3094 3456 3802 16251 - 16300 1907 2694 3100 3462 3808 16301 - 16350 1911 2699 3105 3468 3815 16351 - 16400 1914 2704 3111 3475 3822 16401 - 16450 1918 2709 3116 3481 3829 16451 - 16500 1921 2714 3122 3487 3836 16501 - 16550 1925 2719 3127 3493 3842 16551 - 16600 1929 2724 3133 3499 3849 16601 - 16650 1932 2729 3138 3505 385616651 - 16700 1936 2734 3144 3512 3863 16701 - 16750 1939 2738 3149 3518 3869 16751 - 16800 1943 2743 3155 3524 3876 16801 - 16850 1946 2748 3160 3530 3883 16851 - 16900 1950 2753 3166 3536 3890 16901 - 16950 1953 2758 3171 3542 3897 16951 - 17000 1957 2763 3177 3548 3903 17001 - 17050 1961 2768 3182 3555 3910 17051 - 17100 1964 2773 3188 3561 3917 17101 - 17150 1968 2778 3193 3567 3924 17151 - 17200 1971 2783 3199 3573 3930 17201 - 17250 1975 2787 3204 3579 3937 17251 - 17300 1978 2792 3210 3585 3944 17301 - 17350 1982 2797 3215 3592 3951 17351 - 17400 1985 2802 3221 3598 3957 17401 - 17450 1989 2807 3226 3604 3964 17451 - 17500 1992 2812 3232 3610 3971 17501 - 17550 1996 2817 3237 3616 3978 17551 - 17600 2000 2822 3243 3622 3985 17601 - 17650 2003 2827 3248 3629 3991 17651 - 17700 2007 2832 3254 3635 3998 17701 - 17750 2010 2837 3259 3641 4005 17751 - 17800 2014 2841 3265 3647 4012 17801 - 17850 2017 2846 3270 3653 4018 17851 - 17900 2021 2851 3276 3659 4025 17901 - 17950 2024 2856 3282 3665 4032 17951 - 18000 2028 2861 3287 3672 4039 18001 - 18050 2032 2866 3293 3678 4046 18051 - 18100 2035 2871 3298 3684 4052 18101 - 18150 2039 2876 3304 3690 4059

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38

Combined* Adjusted Net Income

One Child

Two Children

Three Children

Four Children

Five or More Children

18151 - 18200 2042 2881 3309 3696 4066 18201 - 18250 2046 2886 3315 3702 4073 18251 - 18300 2049 2890 3320 3709 4079 18301 - 18350 2053 2895 3326 3715 4086 18351 - 18400 2056 2900 3331 3721 4093 18401 - 18450 2060 2905 3337 3727 4100 18451 - 18500 2063 2910 3342 3733 4106 18501 - 18550 2067 2915 3348 3739 4113 18551 - 18600 2071 2920 3353 3745 4120 18601 - 18650 2074 2925 3359 3752 4127 18651 - 18700 2078 2930 3364 3758 4134 18701 - 18750 2081 2935 3370 3764 4140 18751 - 18800 2085 2939 3375 3770 4147 18801 - 18850 2088 2944 3381 3776 4154 18851 - 18900 2092 2949 3386 3782 4161 18901 - 18950 2095 2954 3392 3789 4167 18951 - 19000 2099 2959 3397 3795 4174 19001 - 19050 2103 2964 3403 3801 4181 19051 - 19100 2106 2969 3408 3807 4188 19101 - 19150 2110 2974 3414 3813 4195 19151 - 19200 2113 2979 3419 3819 4201 19201 - 19250 2117 2984 3425 3826 4208 19251 - 19300 2120 2989 3430 3832 4215 19301 - 19350 2124 2993 3436 3838 4222 19351 - 19400 2127 2998 3441 3844 4228 19401 - 19450 2131 3003 3447 3850 4235 19451 - 19500 2135 3008 3452 3856 4242 19501 - 19550 2138 3013 3458 3862 4249 19551 - 19600 2142 3018 3463 3869 4255 19601 - 19650 2145 3023 3469 3875 4262 19651 - 19700 2149 3028 3474 3881 4269 19701 - 19750 2152 3033 3480 3887 4276 19751 - 19800 2156 3038 3485 3893 4283 19801 - 19850 2159 3042 3491 3899 4289 19851 - 19900 2164 3048 3498 3907 4298 19901 - 19950 2169 3056 3506 3917 4308 19951 - 20000 2174 3064 3515 3927 4319

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Page 40: Paternity and Child SuPPort law in iowa - Iowa Legal Aid ·  · 2017-07-22INFORMATION BEFORE USING ANY PART ... You should see a lawyer to get complete, correct, ... The Child Support

Printed May 2011

by

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