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Iowa Child Support Enforcement Resource Center
- Iowa Support Enforcement Measures
- Who Can Enforce Court Ordered Child Support in Iowa
- Iowa Child Support Services Caseload Statistics
- Interest on Missed Child Support Payments
- Statute of Limitations on Back Child Support
- Statute of Limitations for Determination of Paternity
- Age of Emancipation / Age of Majority
- How Are Child Support Payment Amounts Determined in Iowa?
- Custody and Visitation Issues
Even if the non-custodial parent lives outside the state of Iowa, the law requires cooperation between states. The non-custodial parent is legally required to make regular child support payments, regardless of where they live.
Iowa Support Enforcement Measures
If a non-custodial parent does not pay child support, he or she is subject to enforcement measures in accordance with Federal and Iowa child support law to collect regular and past-due payments.
- Collection from paychecks or other income
- Levying from bank accounts
- Interception of state and federal tax refunds
- Passport sanctions (denial of new application or renewal)
- Reporting of non-payment on the non-custodial parent’s credit report
- Seizure of non-custodial parents assets in repayment of child support debt
- State or federal prosecution
Who Can Enforce Court Ordered Child Support in Iowa?
The Iowa Child Support Program is the state-run child support enforcement office for Iowa. The Department of Human Services is required by federal law to provide services through Child Support Program (CSP) and is funded by the federal government and the State of Iowa.
| IOWA CHILD SUPPORT PROGRAM CASELOAD STATISTICS1 | |
|---|---|
| Full Time Equiv. Staff | 618 |
| Total Caseload | 183,580 |
1 U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement, Boxscores for FY 2005
Interest on Missed Child Support Payments
In the State of Iowa, missed payments are not accessed interest unless reduced to or included in a judgment. In this case, Iowa allows 10% interest but does not require collection and is not commonly enforced.
Iowa’s Statute of Limitations on Back Child Support Payments (Arrears)
Iowa has no statute of limitations regarding child support enforcement on orders after 7/1/1997. For orders prior to 7/1/1997 it is 20 years from date of each child support installment.
Iowa’s Statute of Limitations for Determination of Paternity
Iowa requires that paternity be established by the child’s 19th birthday (age of majority plus one year).
Age of Emancipation / Age of Majority in Iowa
The age of majority in Iowa is 18. (Iowa Code ยง 599.1)
Child support is automatically terminated when the child reaches age 18, or age 19 if completing high school or general education equivalency requirements full time and child is reasonably expected to graduate by age 19. Support may also be extended if a child of any age is dependent on the parents because of physical or mental disability.
How Are Child Support Payment Amounts Determined in Iowa?
In Iowa, support payments are based on the net monthly incomes of both parents and the number of children. Each parent’s net monthly income is found by taking deductions from the gross monthly income such as; federal and state income tax, required pension plans, union dues and health insurance, as long as the children are covered.
Custody and Visitation Issues
Child support and visitation rights are separate issues. The court determines both and will usually order the non-custodial parent to pay support and the custodial parent to make the child available for visits.
The custodial parent must obey the court order for visitation, even if the non-custodial parent cannot or will not pay child support. The court can enforce any of its orders against either parent.