Click here for update instructions and the current version date →

Watch the video below to see how small changes can make a big difference. Depending on which side of the fence you are on, your client will love you for knowing this.

Iowa Support Master includes a feature to assist parties with arriving at a spousal support number. Iowa has not adopted spousal support guidelines, but we worked on a feature to help.

To use the spousal support feature, enter all of your client's financial information into the program. If the parties do not have children subject to support, the program addresses this within the spousal support feature.

Almost every child support topic and feature of Iowa Support Master has help links within the program. To get help on any topic, open the program and click on the words where you would make an entry for that item. There is a Help button and a Find button — either should get you the help you need.

For example, if you need help with a health insurance or cash medical situation, see the image below or watch the short video:

You should have received an email with your registration information and download link. Copy and paste the registration code into the program — if you type it by hand and miss a period or add a space, the program will not unlock.

To retrieve your download instructions and registration code, go to the Home Page and click the download/registration code button.

If the email is not in your spam folder either, contact your ISP — they may be using a hidden spam filter. Setting up a Gmail account and using it when ordering can bypass ISP filters entirely.

If you use an email confirmation (challenge) process, our automated system cannot respond to it. Add michael@alft.net to your contacts so your mail server does not bounce our emails.

Detailed install and download help →

1. 1Go to www.iowasupportmaster.com and click the Download / Reg Code button.
2. 2Select item 3, then enter the email address used to order the program. A registration code email will be sent to that address.
3. 3On the computer where you want to install ISM, select item 4 on the Download / Reg Code page and install Iowa Support Master.
4. 4Open the registration email on that computer and use the code to unlock the program. Copy and paste — don't type it by hand.

If you already have the registration email, just open it on the new computer. To transfer client files, use a USB thumb drive or email the files to yourself and open them on the new computer.

First, check the version date at the bottom of the last page of their Form and compare it to yours. Both programs must be on the same version date. If the other side is not using Iowa Support Master, they need to buy it — or you need to update.

If both are on the same version date, enter their numbers line-by-line and compare your Form 1 with theirs to find where the divergence starts.

Also be aware that numbers can be changed via the override feature or edited in a word processor after the fact.

If you're still stuck, scan and email your forms to pat@patwilson.com — we'll take a look.

If your program is not on the current version date, follow the steps shown in the images below. When finished, click About and confirm the version date matches the current release shown on this page.

Windows SmartScreen may block the ISM installer. You must temporarily disable it to download and update Iowa Support Master. Re-enable it when you're done.

1. 1Open Internet Explorer (blue E icon with a gold band).
2. 2Click the cog icon in the upper-right corner of the browser.
3. 3Hover over Safety and select Turn off Windows Defender SmartScreen. Check the box to confirm, then click OK.
4. 4Try installing the program again. Re-enable SmartScreen via the same steps when done.

If all else fails, call Pat Wilson at 515-822-0203.

Almost every feature in Iowa Support Master has instant help. Move your cursor over the item of concern and a tiny question mark will appear — click it and a help window explains that item.

Send an email to sales@iowasupportmaster.com with your firm name and the name(s) of the new lawyer(s). Let us know whether you want to pay by check or credit card — we will send you an invoice.

Firm Name Change: Send the details of your changes to sales@iowasupportmaster.com. We will reconfigure your license and send a new download and registration code.

Lawyer Left the Firm: If the lawyer left and is not being replaced, you need do nothing. If the lawyer is being replaced, email us the details and we will reconfigure your license.

Adding a New Lawyer: See the Add a Lawyer section above →

Your Windows system folder is missing a required file. Click here to download VB40032.DLL — note where you save it. The file must be placed in your C:\Windows\System folder.

1. 1Download the file and note where it was saved.
2. 2Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System.
3. 3Move or copy the downloaded file into that folder.
4. 4Restart Iowa Support Master.

In every case with support results produced by the CSRU (Child Support Recovery Unit), the numbers will not match Iowa Support Master. The CSRU does not use current, actual tax code results — they use estimates. Iowa Support Master uses actual tax rates, which means no refunds or taxes are owed at filing. The CSRU's use of estimates means parties may receive a refund or owe tax when they file their returns.

Iowa Support Master is a Windows-based program and cannot run natively on a Mac. We estimate 90% of our users — including all Iowa judges — use Windows computers. You have three options:

Iowa Support Master has two built-in support features. Open the program, then:

• Click the Help button, or
• Move your cursor over any program feature — a tiny question mark will appear. Double-click it for instant help on that item. Example: need help with Qualified Additional Dependents (QADDs)? Hover over that topic, click the question mark.

Call or email us — we will walk you through it. Support is always free.

Pat Wilson — 515-822-0203  |  pat@patwilson.com
Mike Alft — 515-776-4088  |  michael@alft.net

In the program, click the Find button in the right-side panel. Press a letter on your keyboard to jump to topics starting with that letter, then double-click the link to go there. Example: looking for the shared care button — click Find, press S, and double-click Shared Care.

You must have the current version of Iowa Support Master installed to run a prior year version. The program is licensed from its release date through December 31 of the program year. After December 31, the license ends and is renewed only by purchasing the next year's program.

Open the prior year program and follow the steps shown in the images below to copy your client files to the current version.

Moving files to a different computer: Iowa Support Master stores your client files at C:\[year] Iowa Support Master on your C: drive. Open that folder, sort by Type to group client files, select them all, and copy to a USB thumb drive (or email a small batch to yourself). On the new computer, move the files into the equivalent year folder.

You will also need the download and registration code to install ISM on the new computer. See Download & Registration Help above →

Iowa Support Master runs on Windows 7 and higher. Any computer meeting that requirement will have sufficient storage and processing power.

You need the download and registration code to install ISM on the new computer. Go to awism.com, click Download / Reg Code, and select the option to have a registration code emailed to you. Open that email on the new computer, then download and install the program there.

Use the email address that was used to order the software. If the code goes to someone else, have them forward the email to you and open it on the new computer. Call us if you run into any trouble.

Moving your client files: Files are stored at C:\[year] Iowa Support Master. Copy them to a USB drive and paste them into the same folder on the new computer. See the full file transfer guide above →

To create a backup CD of Iowa Support Master:

1. 1Download the latest version of Iowa Support Master to your desktop.
2. 2Insert a blank CD-R into your CD drive.
3. 3Drag the Iowa Support Master setup file onto the CD drive.
4. 4Right-click the setup file on the drive and click Burn.

Insert the CD and wait up to 30 seconds for it to auto-run and display a menu. If nothing happens, open My Computer, right-click the CD drive, and select Explore, then double-click the startup icon.

We send CDs only when there are major changes to the Guidelines or tax codes. Routine updates are download-only.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is paid to those with low income/few resources who are 65+, blind, or disabled. It is needs-based. If the obligor's only income is SSI, Rule 9.4 of the guidelines sets child support at zero.

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is paid to workers who paid Social Security taxes and become disabled before normal retirement age. If a parent receives SSDI, their children are likely eligible for a benefit as well. If the SSDI parent has a child support obligation and the child is already receiving a benefit, the court may offset or reduce the support obligation accordingly.

Points of interest:

• Adopting a child on SSI does not reduce that child's SSI benefit if the parent receives child support — SSI is needs-based.
• A child receiving Social Security based on the death of a parent may see a benefit reduction if the child earns wages.
• The custodian typically receives the benefit paid for the child. The court may give consideration to this benefit and order a reduction in child support.
• SSA sends an annual accounting request to the custodian — the money must be used for the welfare of the child, though it may also be saved. When the child turns 18, SSA directs the custodian to give the benefit to the child.