West Des Moines Attorneys Argue Child Support Cases

Determining how much is fair for your circumstances

Since it is the responsibility of both parents to support their minor children, an Iowa court may order the  noncustodial parent to pay a reasonable amount to the custodial parent. The judge is expected to follow the child support guidelines established by the Iowa Supreme Court, unless doing so would be unjust or inappropriate. This is where Hope Law Firm, P.L.C. comes in. We work to ensure you obtain a child support order that is appropriate for your personal situation and necessary for the proper care of your child.

How the Iowa Schedule of Basic Support Obligations works

Many states have guidelines for child support to avoid too great a deviation in court decisions. In Iowa, courts use the Schedule of Basic Support Obligations. This document provides guidelines for payment based on the noncustodial parent’s share of the couple’s combined monthly income, and takes into consideration the number of children the couple has. Those amounts are only for basic support. Some couples may still find themselves arguing over expenses such as:

• Private school tuition
• College tuition and living expenses
• Enrichment activities, including musical instruction, camp, travel teams and other activities

The court has discretion to order payments that would maintain the child in the position he or she would have enjoyed if not for the divorce. The Hope Law Firm has experience in high net worth divorces, where these types of additional expenditures were at issue.

Using the discovery process to compel a fair outcome

Whether you’re litigating an initial support order or enforcement of child support from a previous order, the essential element you need for a fair outcome is complete financial disclosure from both spouses. When one spouse is able to hide assets or income, it’s impossible to make a correct determination of how much an obligor should pay. The Hope Law Firm uses the discovery process to obtain all pertinent financial documents and examine them for indications of asset transfers designed to deceive the court. Our thorough preparation in advance helps ensure excellent representation when we go to court.

Trust the Hope Law Firm to help you obtain a fair child support order

Despite guidelines, the courts in Iowa have a great deal of discretion when ordering child support. Our experience in family law negotiation and litigation helps parties get fair orders. Call the Hope Law Firm, P.L.C. today at 515-255-3559 or contact our West Des Moines office online to schedule an appointment.