Parents, whether married or not, are legally obligated to support their child or children.  Therefore, child support must be addressed in divorce and paternity actions where the parents are not cohabiting.

The courts are required to use the Iowa Child Support Guidelines to determine child support.  The courts may deviate from the Guidelines for good cause or where the Guideline’s support amount would be unjust or inappropriate.  The support calculation is based on the parents’ respective incomes, or in certain circumstances, the parents’ earning capacities.