Des Moines Child Support Attorneys
Helping Clients Achieve Favorable Outcomes
One of the most stressful aspects of ending a marriage is wondering whether you’ll have the financial support you need after your divorce. When raising children, it becomes even more crucial to have the necessary funding for clothing, food, shelter, education, medical treatment, and so on.
When you hire our Iowa child support lawyers, you’ll have instant allies who can help you get a fair child support that protects your rights. Whether you are a custodial parent seeking child support or a noncustodial parent who will be paying child support, we can help get your child support calculated accurately to provide a brighter future for you and your family.
We have been helping families with child support matters for years, and we know what it takes to get a favorable outcome. We’ll fight aggressively to protect you financially and legally. Contact the legal team at Solutions Law Iowa PLC today at 515-808-7707 to learn more about how we can help you.
What Are Child Support Payments?
Child support payments often occur during a divorce that involves minor children. Contrary to popular belief, the father does not always pay child support to the mother. Iowa child support guidelines allow either parent to pay child support to the other, including mothers to fathers.
In Iowa, a shared child support calculation is used to create a child support plan for both parents. This occurs by combining the total gross income of each parent and then assigning the parents a percentage of obligation according to how much they earn. In this way, each parent contributes fairly to raising their child.
If you are a parent seeking Iowa child support or need help enforcing or modifying an existing Iowa child support order, please contact our legal team immediately.
How Are Child Support Orders Determined in Des Moines, Iowa?
Courts may consider various aspects of the parents’ income and the family’s needs when calculating Iowa child support. Since this matter is crucial for raising the children, parents are not permitted to form a child support agreement without court involvement.
Some examples of several factors that can impact your child support calculation include:
- Each parent’s salaries and wages
- Government benefits, including unemployment or disability
- Bonuses
- Commissions
- Business profits
- Retirement account payments
- Health insurance premiums
- Costs of daycare or childcare
- Medical costs associated with raising the children
- Adjustments for the time the child spends with each parent
Please get in touch with our dedicated legal team today to learn more about what you can expect in your unique circumstances and to seek the best possible outcome.
How Parenting Time Affects Child Support Calculations in Des Moines
Many parents going through a divorce or custody case don’t realize how directly parenting time influences the amount of child support one parent pays the other. Under Iowa child support guidelines, the number of overnights each parent has with the child plays a significant role in determining basic support obligations, and understanding this connection can help you make informed decisions about both your custody and support arrangements.
When one parent has the child for fewer than 127 overnights per year, the standard child support formula applies based on each parent’s proportional income. However, when parenting time is more equally shared and one parent has 127 or more overnights, the court applies an adjusted calculation that accounts for the additional expenses that parent incurs during their time with the child. This adjusted formula can meaningfully reduce the child support obligation for the paying parent or increase the amount owed when overnights decrease.
This is why child custody and child support should never be considered in isolation. A change in your parenting schedule can directly impact your financial circumstances, and Des Moines child support attorneys who understand this relationship can help you evaluate how proposed custody arrangements will affect your support obligations before you agree to a plan.
At Solutions Law Iowa PLC, our Des Moines child support lawyers take every relevant factor into consideration when advising clients, ensuring that your parenting time and support arrangements work together in a way that serves the best interests of your children and protects your financial stability. Contact our legal team at 515-808-7707 to discuss your situation.
What Happens When a Parent Hides Income During Child Support Proceedings
One of the most frustrating child support issues parents encounter in the Des Moines metropolitan area involves a spouse who underreports or conceals income to reduce their child support obligation. Whether it’s unreported cash earnings, understated business profits, or voluntary underemployment, hidden income undermines the fairness of the entire process and directly affects the financial support your children receive.
Iowa courts take income concealment seriously. When a judge suspects that a parent is not being forthcoming about their earnings, the court has the authority to impute income, meaning it assigns an earning capacity based on the parent’s education, work history, and employment opportunities rather than accepting the income they claim. This ensures that a parent cannot manipulate the system by deliberately earning less or hiding money to avoid their basic support obligations.
Uncovering hidden income requires a thorough investigation. Child support attorneys in Des Moines can subpoena bank records, tax returns, business financial statements, and other documentation that reveals the true picture of a parent’s financial circumstances. In cases involving self-employment or complex assets, forensic accounting may be necessary to trace income that doesn’t appear on a standard pay stub.
Des Moines child support attorneys at Solutions Law Iowa PLC have a deep understanding of the tactics some parents use to avoid paying their fair share and the legal tools available to expose those tactics. Our child support lawyers in Des Moines are committed to ensuring that support calculations reflect the actual financial resources of both parents so your children receive the support they’re entitled to. Call 515-808-7707 to discuss your concerns with our experienced family law attorneys.
How Can I Modify an Existing Child Support Order?
One question divorcing parents consistently ask concerns modifying existing orders. Paying child support is an important responsibility, and failing to pay can result in wage garnishment and other negative consequences.
If you’re struggling to make your child support payments or are dealing with a spouse who refuses to pay, you need immediate legal support from a family law firm like Solutions Law Iowa PLC. Our lawyers will investigate thoroughly to provide the necessary documentation as we seek to modify or enforce your existing child support order.
With a child support attorney like those at our law firm by your side, you can rest assured that your case is in the hands of knowledgeable professionals who will fight for you while watching out for your family.
Should You Hire Our Des Moines Child Support Attorneys?
When choosing a child support attorney, it is crucial to remember that your lawyer can make a massive difference in the outcome of your case. Child support matters can directly impact your and your child’s future, making it critical to pick a law firm that has extensive experience dealing with Iowa child support guidelines and helping families through this complex process.
At Solutions Law Iowa PLC, we understand how important it is to obtain a fair court ruling regarding your child support order. We promise to stand by your side at every step of the process, offering legal guidance and tailored solutions as you seek child support payments or fight an unfair ruling.
Our attorneys listen carefully to our clients so we understand their circumstances and goals. We also answer questions in easy-to-understand terms so you can fully understand what to expect as you navigate your family law issue. We’ll also stand by your side as you deal with other issues in your divorce, such as property division, child custody, spousal support, and so on. We promise to watch out for your best interests every step of the way.
Call our attorneys right away at 515-808-7707 to discuss your unique situation and learn more about what to expect during your divorce. We’ll be there for you during mediation, negotiations, and in the courtroom, and beyond.
