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Our First

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Health Insurance Scenario

Assume NCP and CP are regular (not low income) wage earners: NCP earns $25,000, CP earns $30,000. Leave everything else default (1 child, CP claims exemption).

With no cost of health insurance for the child entered, NCP pays $355 in support and $104 in cash medical support. NCP's gross monthly obligation: $459 per month

If either parent offers a plan to cover the child with insurance available at reasonable cost, this removes the NCP obligation of $104 in cash med support. Consider the following:

  • Assume CP offers a plan that is beyond reasonable (ISM calculates for you, click on the "Health/Cash Medical Info" button):



    CP's plan costs $126 per month. This takes out the cash med support while increasing NCP's monthly support obligation but results in a net savings for the NCP. NCP's gross monthly obligation: $428


  • Blue Cross offers a plan at $38 per month, $3,000 deductible, 3 doc visits per year with $30 co-pay. Plug this in for either party and it takes out cash med and reduces the support to $352 per month. NCP's gross monthly obligation: $390 (includes proportional share of health insurance)


  • Note that under the new guidelines, the court has more flexibility to order a variance. Tip: use the analysis page. Judges tell us it's one of their favorite features and we are working on expanding it for 2010.

How do I stop cash med support from calculating?

There are 3 ways of stopping it:

  • Click on "calculation overrides" in the left-window menu screen of Iowa Support Master.
  • If NCP is low-income, this will prevent it from calculating, however, the court has the discretion to impose cash medical support.
  • Either parent enters cost of health insurance in some amount. This includes amounts that are not reasonable. ISM will give you a warning if you exceed the reasonable amounts.
Cash medical support is not a replacement for the "Uncovered Medical Expenses" as found in Rule 9.12(5). It is in addition to support. Like cost of health insurance, cash medical support is an "add-on."

Where is shared physical care?

It's located under "Number of children for support."



Why do some of the fields have a pink background?

Put your curser on the field and a "?" mark will appear. Click in the field for instant help, advice and/or instructions.


 
Welcome!

August, 2009
Alft & Wilson Publishing is happy to send you our first newsletter! Our purpose is to keep our users up-to-date on child support issues. We will toss in an occasional computer tip as well. If you wish to comment, please Email us.

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Support
We have posted extensive help topics on our website and in the program. Internet Support

Updates
Iowa Support Master is being updated quite frequently. Please make sure your version is up-to-date. Use the update feature found on the main screen of the program.

Form 2 - CDs
We are working on adding Form 2 to the program. CDs will be sent out just as soon the program is stabilized with Form 2. If you need the CD now, please Email us at: help@supportmastersales.com.

Electronic Forms
In the program (see image below), click the free forms link and go check out the many free forms we have prepared for your use. They are easy to fill out on screen and print.



Seminars
The Iowa State Bar Association annual Family Law Seminar is scheduled for October 29 - 30 to be held at the Marriott Hotel in West Des Moines. You may want to attend this as we will be giving away a new laptop computer. You must be present to win. ISBA seminar details.

Referrals
Our online calculator receives "hits" every day. We will be expanding our referral service to include an Iowa map to assist litigants in finding lawyers in their area who practice family law. If you want to be listed, please send me your name, contact information and the counties where you would be willing to take on family law cases. Sign me up.

Featured Mediator
Kim Stamatelos practices primarily in family law. She is also a member of the Iowa Academy of Collaborative Law and handles collaborative divorce matters. As a mediator she mediates cases in many different areas including family law, and she is a member of the American Academy of ADR Attorneys. She has been mediating since 1986 and she also teaches mediation at Drake Law School. Kim has also been trained as a parenting coordinator, to resolve conflicts between parents which occur post divorce.

Kimberly Stamatelos
2700 Westown Parkway, Suite 220
West Des Moines, IA 50266
(515) 223-1631/ fax (866) 857-1878
kim@attorneymediate.com
www.attorneymediate.com

Are you a mediator? If so, we want to tell Iowa lawyers and judges about you and the service you provide. Let me know.

Copyright (C) 2009 Alft & Wilson Publishing. All rights are reserved. August, 2009
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Ph. 888-805-0363