General
Citation: Rule 9
Last Updated: December 2018
Implementation Method: Court Rule
Guidelines Model: Income Shares
Economic Study: Betson-Rothbarth 2006
Guidelines Responsibility: Iowa Supreme Court
Guidelines Author: 2016 Iowa Child Support Guidelines Review Committee
Guidelines Approval: Iowa Supreme Court
Last Guidelines Review (2016)
Previous Guidelines Review (2012)
Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) Schedule
Last Updated:
Income Base: Net Income
Income Measure: Combined Adjusted Net Income
Frequency: Monthly
Children Categories: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more
Minimum Income Bracket: $0
Maximum Income Bracket: $25,000
More than Maximum Income:
BCSO Factors/Assumptions/Adjustments
Age: No
Cost of living: No
Expenditures Measurement:
Low-Income: Yes
Medical Expenses:
Parenting Time: Not included in table. However, there is a Extraordinary Visitation Credit
Poverty Level: 2012, $931 per month net income
Price Level: 2012
Subsequent Children:
Taxes: No
Low-Income1
SSR/LI Adjustment Amt: Low-income cases when obligator’s adjusted net income is below $1,151 per month
Discretionary: No
SSR/LI Adjustment Application: Adjustment is built into schedule for $1,151. If obligator’s income is between $1,151 and $2,650, support is lesser of support calculated using only obligator’s income or regular calculation
Deviation Criteria: N/A
Threshold Income: $1,151 adjusted net income
Limitations: If obligator’s income is less than $1,151, only their income is used to calculate. Not used in joint custody situations.
Minimum Child Support Amount: N/A
Limitations on Minimum Child Support Amount: N/A
Notes: Adjustment based on requiring order no matter the amount, more support when more children, keeping incentive to work, and phasing out adjustment with income
Deviation Factors
1. Agreed by both parties
2. Childcare expenses
Medical Expenses
Ordinary: Custodial parent pays first $250 per child up to $500 per year for all children. Additional amounts apportioned between parents
Extraordinary:
Childcare Expenses
Deviation factor
Education Expenses
No provision
Modification
Variance of 10% or more
Termination5
Age of Majority: 18 years of age
Ends: May extend to 19 if child is pursuing completion of high school or the equivalent.
Statute: Iowa Code §599.1; Iowa Code §252A.3(2)
Duty to Provide College Support:
Criminal Penalties for Nonpayment3
Citation: Iowa Code § 726.5, Iowa Code § 902.9
Crime: Class D Felony (1 year without payment or $5000+ in arrears)
Maximum Penalty: Up to 5 years imprisonment and up to $7500 fine
Interest and Arrears4
Arrears: Yes
Summary: 10% interest
Statute: Iowa Code § 252C.6, Iowa Code § 535.31
State Contact
Name: Ms. Angela Lathrop
Title: Bureau Chief
Email: alathro@dhs.state.ia.us
Phone Number: (888)229-9223
Address: Department of Human Services, 400 S.W. 8th Street, Suite H,
Important Links
Child Support Calculator
FindLaw
References
1Judicial Council of California, Review of Statewide Uniform Child Support Guideline, October 25, 2017
2https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/license-restrictions-for-failure-to-pay-child-support.aspx
3https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/criminal-nonsupport-and-child-support.aspx
4https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/interest-on-child-support-arrears.aspx
5https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/termination-of-child-support-age-of-majority.aspx