Last verified: February 2026
Iowa child support guidelines place the responsibility of child care on both parents. This guide covers how Iowa calculates support, the modification process, enforcement actions, and when support obligations end.
Quick Summary: Iowa Child Support
- Model Used: Income Shares Model
- Age of Termination: 18 years old (or 19 if still in high school)
- Governing Law: Iowa Court Rules, Chapter 9; Iowa Code Section 598.21C
- Recent Update: Guidelines effective January 1, 2026
- Statute of Limitations: No statute of limitations on arrears
- Customer Service: 1-888-229-9223
If after reading this you have further questions and would like a consultation, you can get a free case consultation from a lawyer here.
Table Of Contents
How Child Support Is Calculated in Iowa
Iowa requires judges to use the Iowa Schedule of Basic Support Obligation (Chapter 9 of the Iowa Court Rules) to calculate child support. The calculation considers:
- Monthly net income of both parents
- Number of children
- Overnights the child spends with the non-custodial parent
- Amount of alimony paid
- Other children the paying parent supports
Use the official Iowa Child Support Estimator to approximate your support obligation. Be aware that the estimator does not work for joint physical care situations where children split time equally between parents. For those cases, you must use Section VI of the child support worksheet.
Basic Calculation Process
- Determine each parent’s monthly gross income
- Calculate deductions to arrive at net income
- Combine both parents’ net incomes
- Find the corresponding support amount in the Schedule based on combined income and number of children
- Calculate each parent’s proportional share
Payment Methods
After the court issues a support order, the non-custodial parent makes payments via:
- Debit or credit card
- Checking or savings account
- On-demand accounts
- PayNearMe
To apply for child support services, request support here or call 1-888-229-9223.
What Counts as Income in Iowa
Iowa child support is based on the combined net incomes of both parents. The rules for determining income are found in Rule 9.5 of the Iowa Child Support Guidelines.
Gross Income Includes:
- Wages and salaries
- Commissions and bonuses
- Self-employment income
- Investment income (dividends, interest)
- Rental income
- Social Security benefits
- Pension and retirement benefits
- Disability benefits
- Workers’ compensation
- Unemployment benefits
- Alimony received
What Is NOT Deductible:
- Charitable contributions
- Union payments
- Car payments
- Other voluntary deductions
Imputed Income
If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may calculate support based on earning capacity rather than actual income. Judges consider the parent’s work history, skills, education, age, health, and employment barriers.
Joint Physical Care and Support
When parents have joint physical care (children spending roughly equal time with each parent), the standard estimator tool does not apply. Instead, parents must use Section VI of the child support worksheet from the Iowa Child Support Guidelines.
Even in joint physical care arrangements, one parent typically pays support to the other to equalize the financial resources available in both households.
How to Modify Child Support in Iowa
Iowa’s Child Support Recovery Unit (CSRU) administers modifications. To request a modification, you must:
- Have a court order to pay or receive child support
- Demonstrate a “substantial change in circumstances”
- Complete the modification request form
Types of Modifications
Review and Adjustment: Available when more than 2 years have passed since the order was issued or last modified. If the recalculated support differs by more than 20% from the current order, the agency will file a modification request.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment: A simpler process available after 2 years, but requires written agreement by both parents.
Administrative Modification: Available when less than 2 years have passed if either parent’s net income has changed by at least 50%.
Court Modification: You may file directly with the court. The law considers a change substantial when the calculated support is at least 10% higher or lower than the current order. (Iowa Code Section 598.21C)
Grounds for Modification
- Growing needs of a child
- Inheritance or pension received
- New children
- Changes in parental residence
- Remarriage affecting household finances
- Changes in earning capacity (incarceration, disability, job loss)
Note: If one parent is in a different state, fees may apply for interstate modifications.
Enforcement of Child Support Orders
Iowa takes child support enforcement seriously. If the custodial parent reports non-payment, the CSRU has extensive enforcement tools.
Collection Methods
- Income Withholding Order: Wages garnished directly from paycheck
- Credit Bureau Reporting: Affects credit score and lending ability
- Passport Denial/Revocation: If arrears exceed $2,500
- Property Liens: Against house, land, and other assets
- Bank Account Garnishment: Seizure of funds
- Tax Refund Intercept: Federal and state
- License Suspension: Professional, recreational, and driver’s licenses
Parent Location Services
If a parent cannot be found, CSRU uses:
- Financial Institution Data Match
- Centralized Employee Registry
- Iowa Department of Workforce Development records
- State Parent Locator
- Federal Parent Locator
Contempt of Court
Failure to pay can result in contempt charges. Consequences may include:
- Arrest warrant
- Community service
- Fines
- Jail time (typically a last resort)
Criminal Charges
Under Iowa Code Sections 233 and 726, willfully failing to pay child support can result in criminal prosecution.
When Child Support Ends in Iowa
The age of emancipation in Iowa is 18. However, support may continue until 19 if the child is still enrolled in high school. Support may also continue indefinitely if the child has a mental or physical disability.
Automatic vs. Court-Ordered Termination
Child support in Iowa does NOT end automatically. The non-custodial parent must file a legal petition to terminate support. If the child drops out of high school before 18, support may end if the original order’s terms allow.
Termination of Parental Rights
Under Section 232.116 of Iowa’s Juvenile Justice Guidelines, parental rights may be terminated based on:
- Voluntary and intelligent consent
- Neglect or sexual abuse
- No significant contact for at least 6 months
- Chronic mental illness of the parent
A judge must approve termination petitions. Simply wanting to avoid child support is not grounds for termination.
Emancipation
Children 16 or older may petition for emancipation if they can demonstrate:
- Financial independence
- Current home is not a safe, healthy environment
- Independent residence for at least 3 months
Warning: Once emancipated, parents have no legal obligation to provide financial or emotional support. Emancipation does not change other age-restricted laws (such as drinking age).
Statute of Limitations
Iowa has no statute of limitations on back child support. However, paternity must be established before the child reaches the “age of majority.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is child support mandatory in Iowa?
Yes. Under Iowa law, both parents have a legal obligation to support their children. Only a judge can terminate parental responsibility, which ends both rights and financial obligations.
Can I contest a modification decision?
Yes. Either parent can contest a CSRU or court decision regarding modification.
What if one parent lives out of state?
Iowa participates in interstate enforcement. CSRU can work with other states to locate parents and enforce orders. However, interstate cases may involve additional fees.
Do I need a lawyer to modify child support?
While not required, consulting with a family law attorney is recommended, especially for complex situations or contested modifications.
What happens if I get remarried?
Remarriage alone does not automatically change child support. However, if your household financial circumstances change substantially as a result, it could support a modification request.
If you have additional questions, reach out to a local family law lawyer for a free case consultation.
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