Number of Support Children
In almost every case, you should have a step-down calculation. The only exception is the parties have no other kids and only one child in dispute.
Enter the number of children involved in your case. Do not include children who are not subject to support in your case.
If you have more than one child involed, you must perform step-down calculations. Do not rely on the step-down information provided on the last page of Form 1. Those results are based on the entries for that Form. If there are 2 children in your case, do your calculations. Print Form 1. Save the file. Go back in and change number of support children to 1 then make the tax changes, child care changes, etc. Print Form 1. Children age-out of child care. QADDs, etc.
If you have more than one child involved in your case, do the calculations and a Form 1 for each situation. Three kids, do the numbers, print it. Change to two kids, make your changes, claiming the kids, filing stats, print Form 1. Now 1 child. Print. You must do a step-down and this is the way to do it. You may end up saving the file for each scenario, ie. joe.smith.3, joe.smith.2, joe.smith1.
Extraordinary Visitation Credit
Confusion arises when users look at page 3 of Form 1. The math appears confusing and you will think the numbers are not correct. They are. Here is how it all works.Depending on the number of extraordinary visitation you indicate, the NCP will receive a credit, a reduction by a percentage, in his obligation of support.
1. Look at Line G of Form 1. This is the NCP's basic support obligation.
2. Assume you selected 127-147 days of extra visitation, that means NCP receives a 15% credit off his obligation.
3. Multiply line G by 15% and that is the amount you will see on Line N of Form 1.
4. Now take the Guideline Amount of Child Support shown on line J and subtract the amount shown on Line N.
5. This is the amount you will see on Line O. And this result is correct.
127 - 147 days = 15% credit.
148 - 166 days = 20% credit.
166 or more but less than equally shared physical care = 25% credit.
Days means overnights spent caring for the child. If the NCP fails to exercise this visitation, the decree is subject to modification.
The credit granted by the application of this rule may not reduce the minimum support below $50 per month for one child. $75 per month for two children. $100 per month for three or more children. See Rule 9.9 as amended in 2022.
Shared Physical Care
Check the Shared Physical Care box if the parties are going to share custody. 50-50 is shared custodyShared Care aka Shared Custody is when the parties share the children. It assumes each party will have care and custody of the children 50% of the time.
Split Custody is when you have two or more children involved. Example: 3 children. Mom will have primary care of 2 of the 3 children. Dad will have primary care of the remaining child. That is split custody. Iowa Support Master has a "Split" custody feature. Enter all your calculations then click on the "Split" button in the lower right area of the main screen.
Joint Custody is when the parties have joint custody of the children but one parent has primary care of the children. This is the traditional custodial arrangement.
252E.1A ESTABLISHING AND MODIFYING ORDERS - AMENDED 10.01.2018
Click the link below.252E Amended - Click Here.
252E.1A Establishing and modifying orders for medical support.
1. This section shall apply to all initial or modified orders for support entered under chapter 234, 252A, 252C, 252F, 252H, 598, 600B, or any other applicable chapter. If an action to establish or modify an order for support is initiated by the child support recovery unit, section 252E.1B shall also apply.
2. An order or judgment that provides for temporary or permanent support for a child shall include a provision for medical support for the child as provided in this section.
3. The court shall order as medical support for the child health care coverage if a health benefit plan other than public coverage is available to either parent at the time the order is entered or modified. A health benefit plan is available if the plan is accessible and the cost of the plan is reasonable.
a. The cost of a health benefit plan is considered reasonable, and such amount shall be stated in the order, if one of the following applies:
(1) The premium cost for a child to the parent ordered to provide coverage does not exceed five percent of that parent’s gross income or the child support guidelines established pursuant to section 598.21B specifically provide an alternative income-based numeric standard for determining the reasonable cost of the premium, in which case the reasonable cost of the premium as determined by the standard specified by the child support guidelines shall apply.
(2) The premium cost for a child exceeds the amount specified in subparagraph (1) and that parent consents or does not object to entry of that order.
b. For purposes of this section, “family coverage” means coverage that covers multiple individuals and covers or could cover the child or children subject to the child support order.
c. For purposes of this section, “gross income” has the same meaning as gross income for calculation of support under the guidelines established under section 598.21B.
d. For purposes of this section, “the premium cost for a child to the parent” ordered to provide coverage means the amount of the premium cost for family coverage to the parent which is in excess of the premium cost for single coverage, regardless of the number of individuals covered under the plan.
4. If a health benefit plan other than public coverage is not available to either parent at the time of the entry of the order, and the custodial parent does not have public coverage for the child, the court shall order cash medical support in an amount which shall be stated in the order. This subsection shall not apply in any of the following circumstances:
a. If the parent’s monthly support obligation established pursuant to the child support guidelines prescribed by the supreme court pursuant to section 598.21B is the minimum obligation amount. If this paragraph applies, the court shall order the parent to provide health care coverage when a plan becomes available for which there is no premium cost for a child to the parent.
b. If the noncustodial parent does not have income which may be subject to income withholding for collection of cash medical support at the time of the entry of the order. If this paragraph applies, the court shall order the noncustodial parent to provide health care coverage when a health benefit plan becomes available at a reasonable cost, and the order shall specify the amount of the reasonable cost as specified in subsection 3, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (1).
c. If the noncustodial parent is receiving assistance or is residing with any child receiving assistance as provided in section 252E.2A, subsection 1, paragraph “c”, subparagraph (3) or
(4). If this paragraph applies, the court shall order the noncustodial parent to provide health care coverage when a health benefit plan becomes available for which there is no premium cost for a child to the parent.
5. If a health benefit plan other than public coverage is not available to either parent at the time of the entry of the order, and the custodial parent has public coverage for the child, the court shall order the custodial parent to provide health care coverage, and the court shall order the noncustodial parent to pay cash medical support, which amount shall be stated in the order, unless an exception under subsection 4 applies.
6. Notwithstanding the requirements of this section, the court may order provisions in the alternative to those provided in this section to address the health care needs of the child if the court determines that extreme circumstances so require and documents the court’s written findings in the order.
7. An order, decree, or judgment entered before October 1, 2018, that provides for the support of a child may be modified in accordance with this section.