In this article, we answer the question, how does alimony impact child support obligations in Iowa? Spousal support, also known as alimony, is money paid by one spouse to the other following a divorce. The spouse with the higher income is typically required to make monthly spousal support payments, though there are other deciding factors. The purpose of spousal support is to ensure both spouses maintain the same standard of living they grew accustomed to during their marriage.
Family Mediation in Iowa allows opposing parties to meet and negotiate in a neutral setting. A trained mediator often sits in to ensure discussions are fair and productive. Mediation is private, confidential, and incredibly effective. Mediation can be used to resolve issues surrounding a divorce such as child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, and division of assets and liabilities.
There are several questions a judge must ask when determining the best placement for a child. If a child displays a mature demeanor, a judge may consider their opinion when deciding child custody rulings. There is no set age for when a judge will take a child’s preference into account. If a child is exceptionally young or if they seem to have been swayed by a parent or relative, their preference will not be considered.
Iowa Law requires both parents to support their children. Regardless of whether you are the mother or father, or whether or not you were ever married, both parents are responsible for the welfare of the child, including medical expenses and general financial support. Typically, the parent with the net income known as the payor, will give support payments to the other parent. Payments should never be exchanged between the parties directly. Once your support order has been accepted by the court and payments begin, and you must either file them through the clerk of the court office, or the Child Support Recovery Unit or CSRU.
Once an Iowa child support order is in place, a change can be made if either parent goes through a substantial change in circumstances which qualifies the order for recalculation. A child support order modification request must be filed with the same court that set the original court order. Even if both parties agree on altering the amount of child support, a judge must still make a determination about the order. The Child Support Recovery Unit can also review and make adjustments to support orders in certain cases.
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